1 Kings 20:22 Afterward, the prophet approached the king of Israel and said, "Go and strengthen your position, and take note what you must do, for in the spring the king of Aram will come up against you."

◄ 1 Kings 20:22 ►

New International Version
Afterward, the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, “Strengthen your position and see what must be done, because next spring the king of Aram will attack you again.”

New Living Translation
Afterward the prophet said to King Ahab, “Get ready for another attack. Begin making plans now, for the king of Aram will come back next spring.”

English Standard Version
Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, “Come, strengthen yourself, and consider well what you have to do, for in the spring the king of Syria will come up against you.”

Berean Standard Bible
Afterward, the prophet approached the king of Israel and said, “Go and strengthen your position, and take note what you must do, for in the spring the king of Aram will come up against you.”

King James Bible
And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.

New King James Version
And the prophet came to the king of Israel and said to him, “Go, strengthen yourself; take note, and see what you should do, for in the spring of the year the king of Syria will come up against you.”

New American Standard Bible
Then the prophet approached the king of Israel and said to him, “Go, show yourself courageous and be aware and see what you have to do; for at the turn of the year the king of Aram will march against you.”

NASB 1995
Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, “Go, strengthen yourself and observe and see what you have to do; for at the turn of the year the king of Aram will come up against you.”

NASB 1977
Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel, and said to him, “Go, strengthen yourself and observe and see what you have to do; for at the turn of the year the king of Aram will come up against you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, “Go, strengthen yourself and know and see what you have to do; for at the turn of the year the king of Aram will come up against you.”

Amplified Bible
Then the prophet approached the king of Israel and said to him, “Go, strengthen yourself and observe and see what you have to do; for at the first of next year the king of Aram (Syria) will come up against you.”

Christian Standard Bible
The prophet approached the king of Israel and said to him, “Go and strengthen yourself, then consider carefully what you should do, for in the spring the king of Aram will attack you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The prophet approached the king of Israel and said to him, “Go and strengthen yourself, then consider what you should do, for in the spring the king of Aram will march against you.”

American Standard Version
And the prophet came near to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest; for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.

Contemporary English Version
Later, the prophet went back and warned Ahab, "Benhadad will attack you again next spring. Build up your troops and make sure you have some good plans."

English Revised Version
And the prophet came near to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, "Reinforce your army. Consider what you have to do. When spring comes, the king of Aram will attack [again]."

Good News Translation
Then the prophet went to King Ahab and said, "Go back and build up your forces and make careful plans, because the king of Syria will attack again next spring."

International Standard Version
The prophet approached the king of Israel and told him, "Go replenish your forces and prepare for the future, because early this next year the king of Aram will attack you again."

Majority Standard Bible
Afterward, the prophet approached the king of Israel and said, ?Go and strengthen your position, and take note what you must do, for in the spring the king of Aram will come up against you.?

NET Bible
The prophet visited the king of Israel and instructed him, "Go, fortify your defenses. Determine what you must do, for in the spring the king of Syria will attack you."

New Heart English Bible
The prophet came near to the king of Israel, and said to him, "Go, strengthen yourself, and mark, and see what you do; for at the return of the year the king of Aram will come up against you."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said to him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.

World English Bible
The prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, “Go, strengthen yourself, and plan what you must do, for at the return of the year, the king of Syria will come up against you.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the prophet comes near to the king of Israel and says to him, “Go, strengthen yourself, and know and see that which you do, for at the turn of the year the king of Aram is coming up against you.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the prophet cometh nigh unto the king of Israel, and saith to him, 'Go, strengthen thyself, and know and see that which thou dost, for at the turn of the year the king of Aram is coming up against thee.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the prophet will draw near to the king of Israel, and say to him, Go, be strengthened, and know, and see what thou wilt do: for at the return of the year the king of Aram will come up against thee.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
(And a prophet coming to the king of Israel, said to him: Go, and strengthen thyself, and know, and see what thou dost: for the next year the king of Syria will come up against thee.)

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then a prophet, drawing near to the king of Israel, said to him: “Go and be strengthened. And know and see what you are doing. For in the following year, the king of Syria will rise up against you.”

New American Bible
Then the prophet approached the king of Israel and said to him: “Go, regroup your forces. Understand clearly what you must do, for at the turning of the year the king of Aram will attack you.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then the prophet approached the king of Israel and said to him, “Come, strengthen yourself, and consider well what you have to do; for in the spring the king of Aram will come up against you.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And, behold, the prophet of God came near to Ahab king of Israel, and said to him, Go, strengthen yourself, and know, and see what you have to do; for at the beginning of the year the king of Aram will come up against you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And behold, the Prophet of God came to Akhab King of Israel, and said to him: “Go! Be strong and know, see what you do, because at the return of the year the King of Edom comes up against you!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the prophet came near to the king of Israel, and said unto him: 'Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest; for at the return of the year the king of Aram will come up against thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said, Strengthen thyself, and observe, and see what thou shalt do; for at the return of the year the son of Ader king of Syria comes up against thee.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad
…21Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the horses and chariots, inflicting a great slaughter on the Arameans. 22Afterward, the prophet approached the king of Israel and said, “Go and strengthen your position, and take note what you must do, for in the spring the king of Aram will come up against you.” 23Meanwhile, the servants of the king of Aram said to him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they prevailed over us. Instead, we should fight them on the plains; surely then we will prevail.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”

Proverbs 21:31
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 33:16-17
No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. / A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.

Psalm 46:1
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Psalm 118:8-9
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. / It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

Jeremiah 17:5
This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.

Zechariah 4:6
So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

2 Corinthians 10:4
The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Ephesians 6:10-11
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.

2 Timothy 2:3-4
Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. / A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.

Treasury of Scripture

And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said to him, Go, strengthen yourself, and mark, and see what you do: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against you.

Take the

1 Kings 20:1,16
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…

1 Kings 22:31
But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.

Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

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Afterward Aram Care Consider Drew Go Israel Mark Observe Position Prophet Spring Strengthen Strong Syria Thyself Turn Understand

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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

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Afterward, the prophet approached the king of Israel and said
This phrase indicates a divine message delivered through a prophet, a common occurrence in the Old Testament where prophets served as God's messengers. The king of Israel at this time is Ahab, who often found himself at odds with God's prophets due to his idolatrous practices. Prophets played a crucial role in guiding and warning the kings of Israel and Judah, often calling them back to covenant faithfulness.

Go and strengthen your position
The instruction to "strengthen your position" suggests a need for military and strategic preparation. This reflects the historical context of frequent warfare in the ancient Near East, where nations often engaged in battles for territorial control. Strengthening one's position could involve fortifying cities, training troops, and securing alliances.

and take note what you must do
This phrase implies careful planning and discernment. It suggests that the king must be vigilant and proactive in his preparations. The need for wisdom and discernment is a recurring theme in the Bible, as seen in Proverbs, which emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance in decision-making.

for in the spring the king of Aram will come up against you
The mention of "spring" is significant as it was the typical season for kings to go to war, due to favorable weather conditions and the availability of food supplies. The king of Aram, likely Ben-Hadad, was a recurring adversary of Israel. This historical context highlights the ongoing conflict between Israel and Aram, which is documented in several biblical accounts. The prophetic warning serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and foreknowledge, as well as His willingness to guide and protect His people if they heed His instructions.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Prophet
A messenger of God who delivers divine instructions and warnings to the king of Israel. The identity of this prophet is not specified in the text, but he plays a crucial role in guiding the king.

2. King of Israel
At this time, the king is Ahab, who is known for his complex character and often disobedience to God. Despite his flaws, God continues to provide him with guidance through the prophet.

3. King of Aram
The adversary of Israel, planning to attack again in the spring. Aram, also known as Syria, was a neighboring kingdom often in conflict with Israel.

4. Spring
The season mentioned as the time when the king of Aram will renew his attack. In ancient times, spring was a common time for kings to go to war due to favorable weather conditions.

5. Strengthen your position
A directive given to the king of Israel to prepare and fortify his defenses in anticipation of the coming battle.

Teaching Points

Divine Guidance in Preparation
God provides guidance and foresight through His prophets and His Word. We must be attentive to His instructions to prepare for future challenges.

The Importance of Spiritual Readiness
Just as the king of Israel was instructed to strengthen his position, Christians are called to be spiritually prepared for the battles they face, relying on God's strength and wisdom.

The Role of Obedience
Obedience to God's instructions is crucial. Ahab's response to the prophet's warning would determine the outcome of the impending conflict.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
While human preparation is necessary, trust in God's sovereignty and His ultimate control over circumstances is paramount.

Seasonal Awareness in Spiritual Life
Recognizing the "seasons" in our spiritual journey helps us to prepare appropriately for times of trial and testing.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(22) The return of the year.--The early part of the next year, after the winter was over, "when kings go out to battle" (2Samuel 11:1).

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 22. - And the prophet [obviously the same prophet] came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself [both as to army and to city], and mark, and see what thou doest ["Take every precaution. Don't think that the danger is past"]: for at the return of the year [in the following spring. There was a favourite time for campaigns (2 Samuel 11:1), viz., when the rainy season was past. Several late wars, notably those of our own armies in Africa and Afghanistan, have been considerably influenced by the seasons. And the wars of ancient times were almost universally summer raids. "Sustained invasions, lasting over the winter, are not found until the time of Shalmaneser" (2 Kings 17:5; 2 Kings 18:9 10, Rawlinson)] the king of Syria will come [Heb. cometh] up against thee.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Afterward, the prophet
הַנָּבִיא֙ (han·nā·ḇî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

approached
וַיִּגַּ֤שׁ (way·yig·gaš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach

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

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

and said,
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Go
לֵ֣ךְ (lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

and strengthen [your position],
הִתְחַזַּ֔ק (hiṯ·ḥaz·zaq)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

and take note
וְדַ֥ע (wə·ḏa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

what
אֲשֶֽׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you must do,
תַּעֲשֶׂ֑ה (ta·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

for
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

in the spring
לִתְשׁוּבַ֣ת (liṯ·šū·ḇaṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8666: A recurrence, a reply

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

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

will march
עֹלֶ֥ה (‘ō·leh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

against you.”
עָלֶֽיךָ׃ (‘ā·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

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OT History: 1 Kings 20:22 The prophet came near to the king (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)