King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Benhadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The district governors' men went out first. Ben-Hadad sent for information, and they reported, "Men have come out from Shomron."
Berean Standard Bible:
And the young officers of the district governors marched out first. Now Ben-hadad had sent out scouts, who reported to him, “Men are marching out of Samaria.”
American Standard Version:
And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Ben-hadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out from Samaria.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the young men{H5288} of the princes{H8269} of the provinces{H4082} went out{H3318} first{H7223}; and Benhadad{H1130} sent out{H7971}, and they told{H5046} him, saying{H559}, There are men{H582} come out{H3318} of Samaria{H8111}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Kings 20:14
- And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, [Even] by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.
1 Kings 20:15
- Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, [even] all the children of Israel, [being] seven thousand.
1 Kings 20:19
- So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Kings 20:17
1 Kings 20:17 is a verse set within the broader context of a military conflict between the Northern Kingdom of Israel, under the reign of King Ahab, and the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, led by King Ben-hadad. The historical context is the 9th century BCE, a time when the Arameans and Israelites were frequently in conflict over territorial control and trade routes.
In this particular verse, the focus is on the initial stages of a battle that takes place near the city of Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The "young men of the princes of the provinces" refers to a group of Israelite soldiers, likely the advance guard or vanguard, who were the first to engage in the battle. These soldiers were from the outlying regions of Israel, indicating a mobilization of forces from across the kingdom to defend against Ben-hadad's invasion.
The verse captures the moment when these Israelite forces emerge from Samaria to confront the Aramean army. Upon seeing the Israelites, Ben-hadad's scouts or messengers quickly report back to him, confirming the presence of the enemy. This report sets the stage for the ensuing battle, which is part of a larger narrative where King Ahab of Israel ultimately defeats Ben-hadad, despite being initially outnumbered and seemingly at a disadvantage.
The themes present in this verse include the dynamics of warfare and military strategy, the importance of reconnaissance and communication in battle, and the tension between two neighboring kingdoms vying for power. Additionally, the verse hints at the courage and loyalty of the provincial princes who lead the charge against a formidable foe, reflecting a sense of duty and patriotism. The narrative also sets up a religious and moral contrast between the idolatrous King Ahab and the aggressive King Ben-hadad, which is a recurring theme in the Books of Kings, where the faithfulness of Israel's kings is often measured by their obedience to God's commands and their adherence to the covenant.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5288
There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נַעַר
Transliteration: naʻar
Pronunciation: nah'-ar
Description: from נָעַר; (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age); babe, boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young (man). - Strong's Number: H8269
There are 368 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שַׂר
Transliteration: sar
Pronunciation: sar
Description: from שָׂרַר; a head person (of any rank or class); captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. - Strong's Number: H4082
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְדִינָה
Transliteration: mᵉdîynâh
Pronunciation: med-ee-naw'
Description: from דִּין; properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region; ([idiom] every) province. - Strong's Number: H3318
There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָצָא
Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. - Strong's Number: H7223
There are 174 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רִאשׁוֹן
Transliteration: riʼshôwn
Pronunciation: ree-shone'
Description: or רִאשֹׁן; from רִאשָׁה; first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun); ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past. - Strong's Number: H1130
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֶּן־הֲדַד
Transliteration: Ben-Hădad
Pronunciation: ben-had-ad'
Description: from בֵּן and הֲדַד; son of Hadad; Ben-Hadad, the name of several Syrian kings; Benhadad. - Strong's Number: H7971
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַח
Transliteration: shâlach
Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). - Strong's Number: H5046
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַד
Transliteration: nâgad
Pronunciation: naw-gad'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise; bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H582
There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
Pronunciation: en-oshe'
Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ. - Strong's Number: H8111
There are 101 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֹׁמְרוֹן
Transliteration: Shômᵉrôwn
Pronunciation: sho-mer-one'
Description: from the active participle of שָׁמַר; watch-station; Shomeron, a place in Palestine; Samaria.