1 Kings 20:1
New International Version
Now Ben-Hadad king of Aram mustered his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he went up and besieged Samaria and attacked it.

New Living Translation
About that time King Ben-hadad of Aram mobilized his army, supported by the chariots and horses of thirty-two allied kings. They went to besiege Samaria, the capital of Israel, and launched attacks against it.

English Standard Version
Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together. Thirty-two kings were with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and closed in on Samaria and fought against it.

Berean Standard Bible
Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he marched up, besieged Samaria, and waged war against it.

King James Bible
And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.

New King James Version
Now Ben-Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his forces together; thirty-two kings were with him, with horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria, and made war against it.

New American Standard Bible
Now Ben-hadad, king of Aram, gathered all his army, and there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.

NASB 1995
Now Ben-hadad king of Aram gathered all his army, and there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria and fought against it.

NASB 1977
Now Ben-hadad king of Aram gathered all his army, and there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Ben-hadad king of Aram gathered all his military force, and there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria and fought against it.

Amplified Bible
Ben-hadad king of Aram (Syria) gathered all his army together; thirty-two kings were [allied] with him, with horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria [Israel’s capital], and fought against it.

Christian Standard Bible
Now King Ben-hadad of Aram assembled his entire army. Thirty-two kings, along with horses and chariots, were with him. He marched up, besieged Samaria, and fought against it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Thirty-two kings, along with horses and chariots, were with him. He marched up, besieged Samaria, and fought against it.

American Standard Version
And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together; and there were thirty and two kings with him, and the horses, and the chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.

Contemporary English Version
King Benhadad of Syria called his army together. He was joined by 32 other kings with their horses and chariots, and together they marched to Samaria and attacked.

English Revised Version
And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
King Benhadad of Aram gathered together his whole army. With him were 32 kings along with their horses and chariots. He went to blockade Samaria and fight against it.

Good News Translation
King Benhadad of Syria gathered all his troops, and supported by thirty-two other rulers with their horses and chariots, he marched up, laid siege to Samaria, and launched attacks against it.

International Standard Version
A little while later, King Ben-hadad of Aram mustered an army of cavalry and chariots in a military confederacy with 32 kings, invaded Samaria, and set up siege encampments there.

Majority Standard Bible
Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he marched up, besieged Samaria, and waged war against it.

NET Bible
Now King Ben Hadad of Syria assembled all his army, along with thirty-two other kings with their horses and chariots. He marched against Samaria and besieged and attacked it.

New Heart English Bible
Ben Hadad the king of Aram gathered all his army together; and there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Ben-hadad the king of Syria collected all his army: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.

World English Bible
Ben Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together; and there were thirty-two kings with him, with horses and chariots. He went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Ben-Hadad king of Aram has gathered all his force, and thirty-two kings [are] with him, and horse and chariot, and he goes up and lays siege against Samaria, and fights with it,

Young's Literal Translation
And Ben-Hadad king of Aram hath gathered all his force, and thirty and two kings are with him, and horse and chariot, and he goeth up and layeth siege against Samaria, and fighteth with it,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the son of Hadad, king of Aram, gathered all his strength; and thirty and two kings with him, and horses and chariots: and he will go up and press upon Shomeron and war against her.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Benadad, king of Syria, gathered together all his host, and there were two and thirty kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and going up, he fought against Samaria, and besieged it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Benhadad, the king of Syria, gathered together his entire army. And there were thirty-two kings with him, with horses and chariots. And ascending, he fought against Samaria, and he besieged it.

New American Bible
Ben-hadad, king of Aram, gathered all his forces and, accompanied by thirty-two kings with horses and chariotry, set out to besiege and attack Samaria.

New Revised Standard Version
King Ben-hadad of Aram gathered all his army together; thirty-two kings were with him, along with horses and chariots. He marched against Samaria, laid siege to it, and attacked it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
AND Bar-hadad the king of Edom gathered all his army together; and there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria and fought against it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Bar Hadad, King of Edom, gathered all his army and thirty two Kings who were with him, and horses and chariots, and he went up and he encamped against Samaria and he fought with it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Ben-hadad the king of Aram gathered all his host together; and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the son of Ader gathered all his forces, and went up and besieged Samaria, he and thirty-two kings with him, and all his horse and chariots: and they went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria
1 Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he marched up, besieged Samaria, and waged war against it. 2Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel,…

Cross References
2 Kings 6:24
Some time later, Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army and marched up to besiege Samaria.

2 Kings 8:12
“Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”

2 Kings 13:3
So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them continually into the hands of Hazael king of Aram and his son Ben-hadad.

2 Kings 13:25
Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz took back from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the cities that Hazael had taken in battle from his father Jehoahaz. Jehoash defeated Ben-hadad three times, and so recovered the cities of Israel.

2 Kings 18:9
In the fourth year of Hezekiah’s reign, which was the seventh year of the reign of Hoshea son of Elah over Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria and besieged it.

Isaiah 7:1
Now in the days that Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Rezin king of Aram marched up to wage war against Jerusalem. He was accompanied by Pekah son of Remaliah the king of Israel, but he could not overpower the city.

Isaiah 8:4
For before the boy knows how to cry ‘Father’ or ‘Mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”

Jeremiah 49:27
“I will set fire to the walls of Damascus; it will consume the fortresses of Ben-hadad.”

Amos 1:4
So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad.

Amos 1:14
So I will kindle a fire in the walls of Rabbah to consume its citadels amid war cries on the day of battle and a violent wind on the day of tempest.

Luke 4:27
And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. Yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

Matthew 11:21
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 12:41
The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.

Luke 10:13
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

Luke 11:32
The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.


Treasury of Scripture

And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.

A.

1 Kings 15:18,20
Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, …

2 Kings 8:7-10
And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither…

2 Chronicles 16:2-4
Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, …

Thirty and two

1 Kings 20:16,24
And they went out at noon. But Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him…

Genesis 14:1-5
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; …

Judges 1:7
And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

and horses

Exodus 14:7
And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.

Deuteronomy 20:1
When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Judges 4:3
And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.

besieged

Leviticus 26:25
And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

Deuteronomy 28:52
And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.

2 Kings 6:24-29
And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria…

Jump to Previous
Aram Army Assembled Attacked Ben Benhadad Ben-Hadad Besieged Carriages Chariot Chariots Collected Entire Fighteth Force Fought Gathered Hadad Horse Horses Host Kings Layeth Mustered Samaria Sama'ria Siege Syria Thirty Thirty-Two Together War Warred
Jump to Next
Aram Army Assembled Attacked Ben Benhadad Ben-Hadad Besieged Carriages Chariot Chariots Collected Entire Fighteth Force Fought Gathered Hadad Horse Horses Host Kings Layeth Mustered Samaria Sama'ria Siege Syria Thirty Thirty-Two Together War Warred
1 Kings 20
1. Ben-Hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria
13. By the direction of a prophet, the Syrians are slain
22. As the prophet forewarned Ahab, the Syrians come against him in Aphek
28. By the word of the prophet, and God's judgment, the Syrians are smitten again
31. The Syrians submit; Ahab sends Ben-Hadad away with a covenant
35. The prophet, under the parable of a prisoner,
39. making Ahab judge himself, denounces God's judgment against him














Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army.
Ben-hadad was a common name for the kings of Aram, also known as Syria, a powerful kingdom located to the northeast of Israel. The name "Ben-hadad" means "son of Hadad," with Hadad being the storm god worshiped in the region. This particular Ben-hadad is likely Ben-hadad II, who reigned during the time of King Ahab of Israel. The assembling of his entire army indicates a significant military campaign, suggesting a major threat to Israel. Aram was a frequent adversary of Israel, and their conflicts are well-documented throughout the Old Testament, highlighting the ongoing struggle for power and dominance in the region.

Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots,
The mention of thirty-two kings suggests a coalition of smaller city-states or tribal leaders allied with Ben-hadad. This coalition would have provided a formidable force, as each king would contribute troops, horses, and chariots, which were the premier military technology of the time. Horses and chariots symbolize strength and speed in warfare, often giving an army a significant advantage. The use of chariots is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, underscoring their importance in ancient Near Eastern military strategy. This coalition reflects the political landscape of the time, where alliances were crucial for military success.

he marched up, besieged Samaria,
Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, established by King Omri and fortified by his son Ahab. The city's strategic location made it a prime target for invading forces. A siege was a common military tactic used to cut off a city from supplies and reinforcements, often leading to surrender due to starvation or lack of resources. The siege of Samaria indicates the seriousness of Ben-hadad's campaign and his intent to subdue Israel. This event is part of a larger narrative of conflict between Israel and Aram, illustrating the constant threat faced by the Northern Kingdom from its neighbors.

and waged war against it.
The act of waging war against Samaria signifies a direct and aggressive attempt to conquer the city and, by extension, the kingdom of Israel. This conflict is part of the broader theme of warfare in the Old Testament, where nations often clashed over territory, resources, and power. The wars between Israel and Aram are chronicled in several biblical accounts, reflecting the turbulent history of the region. This phrase also sets the stage for the subsequent events in the chapter, where God's intervention and the role of the prophet play a crucial part in the unfolding narrative. The warfare here can be seen as a backdrop for demonstrating God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His purposes through the history of Israel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ben-hadad
The king of Aram (Syria), who is leading a coalition of kings against Israel. His name means "son of Hadad," a storm god worshiped in the region.

2. Aram
A region often in conflict with Israel, located in present-day Syria. Aram was a significant power in the ancient Near East.

3. Thirty-two Kings
These are likely vassal kings or regional leaders allied with Ben-hadad, indicating a formidable coalition against Israel.

4. Samaria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, established by King Omri. It is the focal point of Ben-hadad's siege.

5. Siege and Battle
The military action taken by Ben-hadad and his allies against Samaria, indicating a significant threat to Israel's security.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Conflict
Despite the formidable alliance against Israel, God remains sovereign. Believers can trust in God's ultimate control over nations and conflicts.

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Just as Israel faced physical battles, Christians face spiritual battles. Ephesians 6 reminds us to put on the full armor of God.

The Importance of Faithfulness
Israel's struggles often stemmed from unfaithfulness to God. This serves as a reminder to remain faithful and obedient to God's commands.

Community and Leadership
The coalition of kings against Israel highlights the importance of strong, godly leadership and community unity in facing external threats.

Prayer and Dependence on God
In times of siege or overwhelming odds, turning to God in prayer and dependence is crucial, as demonstrated by many biblical figures.(1) Ben-hadad.--This is the inherited title of the Syrian kings. (See Amos 1:4; Jeremiah 49:27.) From the allusion in 1Kings 20:34 it appears that this Ben-hadad was the son of a king who had been victorious against Omri--possibly pushing still further the advantage gained in the time of Baasha. It is evident that he assumed, perhaps by inheritance, a sovereignty over Israel.

Thirty and two kings.--All the notices of Syria show it as divided into small kingdoms, confederated from time to time under some leading power. In the days of David this leading power was that of Hadadezer of Zobah (2Samuel 8:3-13; 2Samuel 10:19), although Hamath was apparently independent. Now Damascus, under the dynasty of Hadad, assumes a most formidable predominance. Ahab cannot stand before it, but shuts himself up, probably after defeat, within the strong walls of Samaria. . . .

Verse 1. - And Ben-hadad [See on 1 Kings 11:14 and 1 Kings 15:18. The LXX. uniformly spells the name Ader (υἱὸςἌδερ). The form אֲדַד is found in 1 Kings 11:17, and ד and ר are frequently interchanged; cf. Genesis 25:15; Genesis 36:39 with 1 Chronicles 1:30, 46. We learn from ver. 34 that this prince was the son of a Syrian king who had conquered some of the cities of Israel, but we cannot nevertheless be certain that he was the son of that Ben-hadad (1 Kings 15:18) who invaded Israel in the reign of Baasha (Ewald), See on ver. 34.] the king of Syria gathered all his host [See note on 1 Kings 10:2, where we have same word] together: and there were thirty and two kings with him [Evidently these were vassals, not allied powers. The number alone proves that they must have been petty princes or chieftains of Hittite tribes, ruling over very limited districts' and all acknowledging the suzerainty of the king of Damascus, all paying tribute (1 Kings 10:25) and furnishing a contingent in time of war "The Assyrian inscriptions show that this country was, about the period in question, parcelled out into a number of petty kingdoms," etc. (Rawlinson. See "Records of the Past," vol. 12. p. 20)], and horses, and chariots [Heb. horse and chariot; cf. ver. 21 and 1 Kings 1:5; 1 Kings 10:26; 1 Kings 16:9, etc. Both are collective nouns. We see here the fruit and retribution of Solomon's irreligious policy (1 Kings 10:29 and Homiletics, p. 216). "A king who has been probably identified with this Ben-hadad brought into the field against Assyria nearly 4000 chariots" (Rawlinson)]: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it. [The object of this expedition was clearly to humble and to plunder the kingdom of Samaria. It would almost appear, from the animus of the Syrian king and the studied offensiveness of his messages, as if Ahab or Israel must have given him dire offence. But Ben-hadad was clearly a vain and overbearing and tyrannical prince, and the only crime of Israel may have been that it was independent of him, or had refused to do him homage.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now
וּבֶן־ (ū·ḇen-)
0
Strong's Hebrew

Ben-hadad
הֲדַ֣ד (hă·ḏaḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1130: Ben-hadad -- 'son of Hadad', the name of several Aramean (Syrian) kings

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Aram
אֲרָ֗ם (’ă·rām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

assembled
קָבַץ֙ (qā·ḇaṣ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect

his entire
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

army.
חֵיל֔וֹ (ḥê·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2426: An army, an intrenchment

Accompanied by
אִתּ֖וֹ (’it·tōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

thirty-two
וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים (ū·šə·lō·šîm)
Conjunctive waw | Number - common plural
Strong's 7970: Thirty, thirtieth

kings
מֶ֛לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

with their horses
וְס֣וּס (wə·sūs)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5483: A swallow, swift (type of bird)

and chariots,
וָרָ֑כֶב (wā·rā·ḵeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7393: A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstone

he marched up,
וַיַּ֗עַל (way·ya·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

besieged
וַיָּ֙צַר֙ (way·yā·ṣar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6696: To confine, bind, besiege

Samaria,
שֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן (šō·mə·rō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8111: Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel

and waged war
וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם (way·yil·lā·ḥem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

against it.
בָּֽהּ׃ (bāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT History: 1 Kings 20:1 Ben Hadad the king of Syria gathered (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 19:21
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