Discovery Box1 Kings 20:13-20
Context20:13 Now a prophet visited King Ahab of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says, ‘Do you see this huge army? 1 Look, I am going to hand it over to you this very day. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” 20:14 Ahab asked, “By whom will this be accomplished?” 2 He answered, “This is what the Lord says, ‘By the servants of the district governors.’” Ahab 3 asked, “Who will launch the attack?” He answered, “You will.”
20:15 So Ahab 4 assembled the 232 servants of the district governors. After that he assembled all the Israelite army, numbering 7,000. 5 20:16 They marched out at noon, while Ben Hadad and the thirty-two kings allied with him were drinking heavily 6 in their quarters. 7 20:17 The servants of the district governors led the march. When Ben Hadad sent messengers, they reported back to him, “Men are marching out of Samaria.” 8 20:18 He ordered, “Whether they come in peace or to do battle, take them alive.” 9 20:19 They marched out of the city with the servants of the district governors in the lead and the army behind them. 20:20 Each one struck down an enemy soldier; 10 the Syrians fled and Israel chased them. King Ben Hadad of Syria escaped on horseback with some horsemen.
[20:13] 1 tn Heb “this great horde.”
[20:14] 2 tn The words “will this be accomplished” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
[20:14] 3 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Ahab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[20:15] 3 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Ahab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[20:15] 4 tn Heb “after them he assembled all the people, all the sons of Israel, seven thousand.”
[20:16] 4 tn Heb “drinking and drunken.”
[20:16] 5 tn Heb “in the temporary shelters.” This is probably referring to tents.
[20:17] 5 map For location see Map2 B1; Map4 D3; Map5 E2; Map6 A4; Map7 C1.
[20:18] 6 tn Heb “if they come in peace, take them alive; if they come for battle, take them alive.”
