1 Kings 20:13

KJV

And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And, behold, there came {H5066} a {H259} prophet {H5030} unto Ahab {H256} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, saying {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Hast thou seen {H7200} all this great {H1419} multitude {H1995}? behold, I will deliver {H5414} it into thine hand {H3027} this day {H3117}; and thou shalt know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At that moment a prophet approached Ach'av king of Isra'el and said, "Here is what ADONAI says: 'Have you seen this vast army? I am going to give you victory over them today. Then you will know that I am ADONAI!'"

Berean Standard Bible

Meanwhile a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this entire great army? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this very day, and you will know that I am the LORD.’”

American Standard Version

And, behold, a prophet came near unto Ahab king of Israel, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thy hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse marks a dramatic turning point in the conflict between Israel and Aram, highlighting God's unexpected and sovereign intervention. Despite King Ahab's profound spiritual apostasy and the overwhelming military threat posed by Ben-Hadad's vast army, an unnamed prophet suddenly appears to declare the LORD's intention to deliver the enemy into Ahab's hand. This divine promise serves not only as a miraculous rescue but, more significantly, as a powerful revelation of God's unique identity and supreme authority, compelling Ahab and Israel to acknowledge that He alone is the LORD.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of [1 Kings 20](/1_kings/20 "1 Kings 20 - Ahab's Battles with Aram"), immediately following the Aramean King Ben-Hadad's arrogant demands and the subsequent siege of Samaria. Ahab, initially overwhelmed and willing to concede to Ben-Hadad's escalating and humiliating terms, is in a state of desperation and vulnerability. The sudden appearance of an unnamed prophet, delivering a direct oracle from the LORD, dramatically shifts the narrative from human despair and military imbalance to divine initiative and sovereign power. This intervention sets the stage for the miraculous victory that follows in [1 Kings 20:19-21](/1_kings/20-19 "1 Kings 20:19-21 - Israel's Victory"), demonstrating God's active involvement in the affairs of nations and His covenant people, even when their leadership is deeply flawed. The narrative arc of the chapter consistently underscores God's power over human might and His determination to reveal His identity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Ahab's reign (c. 874-853 BC) was characterized by significant political stability and economic prosperity, largely due to his alliance with Phoenicia, but also by profound spiritual decline. His marriage to Jezebel, a Phoenician princess, led to the widespread promotion of Baal worship in Israel, directly challenging the covenant with Yahweh. The Arameans (Syrians), with their capital at Damascus, were a formidable regional power, frequently clashing with Israel for control of trade routes and territory. Ben-Hadad II, a prominent Aramean king, led a coalition of thirty-two kings, indicating a massive military force that would have dwarfed Israel's capabilities. The siege of a capital city like Samaria was a common tactic of ancient warfare, designed to starve out the inhabitants and force surrender, making the divine promise of deliverance all the more astonishing and counter-cultural, as victory typically depended on military strength and alliances, not divine intervention for an unfaithful king.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is the **sovereignty and faithfulness of God** despite human unfaithfulness. Even to a wicked and idolatrous king like Ahab, who actively promoted Baal worship (as seen in [1 Kings 16:30-33](/1_kings/16-30 "1 Kings 16:30-33 - Ahab's Wickedness")), God extends unmerited mercy and delivers His people for the sake of His own name and covenant. This highlights the theme of **divine initiative**, where God acts independently of human merit or expectation, demonstrating His power and presence in the midst of human failure. Furthermore, the explicit purpose of the deliverance—"and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD"—underscores the profound theme of **revelation of God's identity**. This battle is not merely about military victory, but about demonstrating Yahweh's unique power and authority over all other gods and nations, echoing the declarations of God's self-revelation in earlier texts like [Exodus 7:5](/exodus/7-5 "Exodus 7:5 - God's Revelation to Egypt") and [Isaiah 45:5-6](/isaiah/45-5 "Isaiah 45:5-6 - God's Uniqueness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prophet (Hebrew, _nâbîyʼ'_):** In ancient Israel, a _nâbîyʼ'_ was a divinely appointed messenger, an "inspired man" called or sent by God to speak His authoritative word. Unlike the pagan diviners or soothsayers who sought to manipulate deities, the biblical prophet was a conduit for Yahweh's direct, infallible revelation. The anonymity of this prophet in [1 Kings 20:13](/1_kings/20-13 "1 Kings 20:13 - A Prophet to Ahab") emphasizes that the message's authority comes from God, not the messenger's personal renown, underscoring God's ability to use anyone to accomplish His purposes, even to confront a king as powerful and wicked as Ahab.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** The Hebrew verb _yâdaʻ'_ signifies more than mere intellectual assent or factual understanding; it denotes a deep, experiential, and relational knowledge, often gained through "ascertaining by seeing" or "observation." When God declares, "thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD," it implies that Ahab (and Israel) will not just be informed of God's existence, but will experientially encounter His power and faithfulness in such a way that it demands acknowledgement of His unique identity and authority. This is a knowledge gained through observation of God's mighty acts, leading to a profound recognition of His character and supremacy.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often rendered "Yahweh" or "Jehovah," derived from a root meaning "to be hot," signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal." It encapsulates God's eternal nature, His unchanging character, and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The declaration "I [am] the LORD" is a foundational statement of divine identity and sovereignty, asserting Yahweh's absolute supremacy over all other gods (like Baal, whom Ahab worshipped) and His complete control over all creation and human affairs. The purpose of the impending deliverance is to underscore this profound truth to Ahab and the nations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying,"**: The sudden, unexpected appearance of the prophet, marked by the attention-grabbing interjection "behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinneh_), highlights God's immediate and sovereign initiative. This direct confrontation of King Ahab, the very king who had led Israel into deep apostasy and was currently in a state of despair, demonstrates God's persistent engagement with His people, even through their unfaithful leaders, affirming His commitment to His covenant.
* **"Thus saith the LORD,"**: This formulaic phrase is a powerful declaration of divine authority. It asserts that the words are not the prophet's own opinion or counsel, but a direct, infallible oracle from Yahweh Himself. This immediately elevates the message beyond human strategy or military assessment, placing it squarely in the realm of divine decree and absolute truth.
* **"Hast thou seen all this great multitude?"**: This is a rhetorical question designed to highlight the overwhelming odds from a human perspective. It acknowledges the visible reality of Ben-Hadad's immense army, emphasizing the human impossibility of victory and setting the stage for a miraculous divine intervention that defies all logical expectation, thereby magnifying God's power.
* **"behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day;"**: Here, "behold" again draws attention to the astonishing and counter-intuitive promise. This is a clear, unconditional declaration of God's sovereign intent. The victory is not contingent on Ahab's piety, Israel's military prowess, or any human merit, but solely on God's will and power. The phrase "this day" emphasizes the immediacy and certainty of the promised deliverance, underscoring God's ability to act decisively and swiftly.
* **"and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD."**: This is the ultimate purpose clause, revealing the profound theological intent behind the military deliverance. The miraculous victory is not an end in itself, but a means to a greater end: the experiential revelation of Yahweh's unique identity and supreme authority. It is a direct challenge to Ahab's idolatry and a call for him and Israel to acknowledge the one true God, distinguishing Him from the impotent gods of the surrounding nations.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message and underscore divine action. The repeated use of **"behold"** (Hebrew: _hinneh_) acts as an emphatic exclamation, drawing immediate attention to the prophet's sudden arrival and the astonishing promise of deliverance, thereby creating a sense of urgency and highlighting divine immediacy. The prophet's words are presented as **Direct Speech** from God ("Thus saith the LORD"), lending immense authority and weight to the message, establishing it as an undeniable divine oracle rather than mere human counsel. The **Rhetorical Question**, "Hast thou seen all this great multitude?", serves to highlight the human perception of overwhelming odds, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of the promised divine intervention. This creates a stark **Contrast** between human despair and divine power, emphasizing that the victory will be Yahweh's alone, not a result of Israel's strength. Finally, the entire verse functions as a **Divine Oracle**, a direct communication from God designed to reveal His power and identity, especially through an unmerited act of salvation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal verse profoundly illustrates God's unwavering sovereignty and His commitment to His covenant purposes, even when His chosen people and their leaders are deeply unfaithful. It demonstrates that God's actions are ultimately for the revelation of His own glory and identity, not contingent on human merit or deservingness. The unmerited deliverance of Israel from the overwhelming Aramean army serves as a powerful testament to Yahweh's unique power over all nations and false gods, forcing an acknowledgment that He alone is the LORD. This divine intervention, born of mercy rather than deservedness, foreshadows God's broader redemptive plan, where His faithfulness triumphs over human sin and rebellion, always pointing to His ultimate supremacy.

* [Exodus 14:13-14](/exodus/14-13 "The LORD Will Fight for You")
* [Ezekiel 36:22-23](/zekiel/36-22 "God's Name Sanctified Among the Nations")
* [Psalm 46:10](/psalm/46-10 "Be Still, and Know That I Am God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account in [1 Kings 20:13](/1_kings/20-13 "1 Kings 20:13 - God's Promise to Ahab") offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today, reminding us that God's faithfulness is not dependent on our own. In moments of overwhelming odds, personal despair, or national crisis, this verse calls us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and recognize God's sovereign hand at work. It challenges us to trust in His power to deliver, even when human logic dictates otherwise, and to understand that His interventions are often designed to reveal more of Himself to us. Our "victories," whether small or large, should ultimately point us back to God's character and His glory, fostering humility and deepening our experiential knowledge of Him as the LORD. This passage encourages us to cultivate a posture of expectant faith, knowing that God can and does act decisively, often through unexpected means, to demonstrate His supremacy and draw us into a deeper, more authentic relationship with Him, characterized by trust and worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel overwhelmed by a "great multitude" of challenges, and how does this verse encourage you to trust in God's unexpected deliverance?**
* **How does God's intervention for Ahab, despite his wickedness, deepen your understanding of God's mercy and grace towards humanity?**
* **What does it mean for you, experientially, to "know that I [am] the LORD" in your daily walk with God, moving beyond mere intellectual assent?**
* **How can you ensure that your personal "victories" or deliverances lead to a greater acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and glory rather than self-reliance or pride?**

### FAQ
**Why would God help such a wicked king like Ahab?**

Answer: God's intervention to deliver Israel through King Ahab in [1 Kings 20:13](/1_kings/20-13 "God's Deliverance for Ahab") is a profound display of His sovereign mercy and faithfulness to His covenant, not an endorsement of Ahab's wickedness. God's primary motivation was not Ahab's personal merit or piety, but rather His unwavering commitment to His chosen people, Israel, and, most importantly, the vindication of His own holy name. The stated purpose of the deliverance was "that thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD," meaning the victory was designed to reveal Yahweh's supremacy over Baal and other pagan gods, not just to save Ahab. This demonstrates that God often works through imperfect vessels and acts for His own glory and the preservation of His redemptive plan, even when human agents are undeserving. It highlights God's unmerited favor, a theme seen throughout Scripture, where God chooses to bless and deliver for His own purposes, as in [Deuteronomy 7:7-8](/deuteronomy/7-7 "God's Love for Israel") and [Isaiah 48:11](/isaiah/48-11 "For My Own Sake").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The unexpected and unmerited deliverance granted to King Ahab in [1 Kings 20:13](/1_kings/20-13 "God's Deliverance to Ahab") finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God intervened to save Israel from a physical enemy despite their king's apostasy, so too did God, in His boundless mercy, send His Son to deliver humanity from the far greater enemies of sin, death, and the devil, even while we were still His enemies and steeped in spiritual rebellion ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Christ Died for Us")). Jesus is the ultimate Prophet, the very "Word of God" made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), who perfectly declares "Thus saith the LORD," embodying divine authority and truth. Through His sacrificial death on the cross and victorious resurrection, Christ achieved a definitive and eternal deliverance, conquering the "great multitude" of spiritual forces arrayed against us ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Triumph Over Principalities")). The purpose of this grandest act of salvation is precisely that we "shall know that I [am] the LORD," not merely intellectually, but experientially and relationally through faith in Him ([John 17:3](/john/17-3 "Eternal Life is Knowing God")). In Christ, God's sovereignty, mercy, and identity are fully revealed, inviting all who believe to enter into a saving knowledge of the one true God and experience His life-transforming power.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 20:28

And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD [is] God of the hills, but he [is] not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Ezekiel 20:22

Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.

Isaiah 37:20

Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD, [even] thou only.

Joel 3:17

So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

Ezekiel 20:14

But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

Exodus 14:18

And the Egyptians shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

Exodus 16:12

I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD your God.