1 Kings 20:20

KJV

And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they slew {H5221} every one {H376} his man {H376}: and the Syrians {H758} fled {H5127}; and Israel {H3478} pursued {H7291} them: and Benhadad {H1130} the king {H4428} of Syria {H758} escaped {H4422} on an horse {H5483} with the horsemen {H6571}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and each one killed his man. Aram fled, and Isra'el pursued them. Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with some of the cavalry.

Berean Standard Bible

and each one struck down his opponent. So the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with the cavalry.

American Standard Version

And they slew every one his man; and the Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them: and Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with horsemen.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Kings 20:20 vividly recounts the immediate and decisive outcome of the battle between Israel and Aram, where God granted a miraculous victory to King Ahab's forces against the numerically superior and arrogant Syrian army led by Ben-Hadad. The verse highlights the overwhelming rout of the Syrians, with each Israelite soldier proving exceptionally effective, leading to a chaotic flight and pursuit, culminating in the ignominious escape of the previously boastful Ben-Hadad. This passage underscores God's sovereignty over nations and His commitment to fulfilling His prophetic word, humbling the proud while delivering His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of the first major confrontation between King Ahab of Israel and King Ben-Hadad of Aram-Damascus in 1 Kings 20. The chapter opens with Ben-Hadad besieging Samaria, making arrogant and escalating demands of Ahab, even threatening to utterly destroy the city ([1 Kings 20:1-6](/1_kings/20-1-6 "1 Kings 20:1-6 - Ben-Hadad's Demands")). Despite Ahab's initial submission, Ben-Hadad's insatiable pride leads him to further boasts and threats ([1 Kings 20:10-12](/1_kings/20-10-12 "1 Kings 20:10-12 - Ben-Hadad's Arrogance")). It is at this critical juncture that a prophet of the Lord intervenes, assuring Ahab of a divine victory, not based on Israel's strength, but solely on God's power, "that you may know that I am the Lord" ([1 Kings 20:13-14](/1_kings/20-13-14 "1 Kings 20:13-14 - God's Promise of Victory")). Ahab, following divine instruction, sends out a small, seemingly insignificant force of 232 young men and 7,000 Israelites, who initiate the attack while Ben-Hadad and his allied kings are feasting and reveling ([1 Kings 20:15-18](/1_kings/20-15-18 "1 Kings 20:15-18 - The Israelite Counter-Attack")). Verse 20 describes the immediate and astonishing result of this divinely orchestrated engagement, serving as the dramatic fulfillment of the prophet's promise and setting the stage for Ben-Hadad's capture and Ahab's controversial decision in the subsequent verses ([1 Kings 20:21-34](/1_kings/20-21-34 "1 Kings 20:21-34 - Aftermath of the Battle")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conflict between Israel and Aram (Syria), particularly the powerful kingdom of Aram-Damascus, was a recurring feature of the geopolitical landscape during the Omride dynasty in Israel. Ben-Hadad II (or Ben-Hadad I, depending on the scholarly view of the two Ben-Hadads in Kings) was a formidable regional power, often leading coalitions of smaller city-states. Samaria, founded by Omri and fortified by Ahab, was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel and a strategic target. Siege warfare was common, involving surrounding a city to cut off supplies and eventually breach its defenses. The boasts and demands of Ben-Hadad reflect the typical bravado and psychological warfare of ancient Near Eastern kings, often accompanied by excessive feasting and revelry, even during military campaigns. The miraculous nature of Israel's victory, where a small force routed a large army, would have been understood by the original audience as a clear demonstration of divine intervention, challenging the common belief that victory was determined solely by the size or strength of armies or the favor of national deities. The prophet's emphasis on God revealing Himself as "the Lord" (Yahweh) directly counters any notion that the "gods of the hills" (as the Syrians later claimed in [1 Kings 20:23](/1_kings/20-23 "1 Kings 20:23 - Syrian Misconception of God")) were limited in their power.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Reign of Kings"):
* **Divine Sovereignty and Empowerment:** The victory is not attributed to Israel's military might but to God's direct intervention. The phrase "they slew every one his man" suggests a supernatural enablement or a divinely induced panic among the Syrians, highlighting that "victory belongs to the Lord" ([Proverbs 21:31](/proverbs/21-31 "Proverbs 21:31 - Victory Belongs to the Lord")). This underscores God's absolute control over the outcomes of battles and the destinies of nations, even when His people are weak or unfaithful.
* **Humiliation of Arrogance and Pride:** Ben-Hadad, who had boasted of his overwhelming power and defied the Lord, is depicted fleeing in utter ignominy. His hasty escape on horseback with his cavalry, abandoning his army, serves as a stark reminder that "pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" ([Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride and Destruction")). This theme is consistently woven throughout Scripture, demonstrating God's opposition to the proud and His exaltation of the humble.
* **Prophetic Fulfillment and God's Faithfulness:** The swift and comprehensive rout of the Syrians is a direct fulfillment of the prophet's assurance to Ahab that God would deliver the enemy into his hand ([1 Kings 20:13](/1_kings/20-13 "1 Kings 20:13 - God's Promise to Ahab")). This demonstrates God's faithfulness to His word, even when delivered to a king like Ahab, who was largely unfaithful. It reinforces the authority and reliability of God's messengers and His active involvement in human affairs.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **slew every one his man (Hebrew, _vayyakkū 'îš 'îšô'_):** This striking phrase literally translates to "and they struck, a man his man." It carries a dual interpretive possibility, both of which emphasize the extraordinary nature of the Israelite victory. Firstly, it can highlight the individual effectiveness and ferocity of each Israelite soldier, implying a divinely empowered prowess in hand-to-hand combat that led to the rapid collapse of the Syrian lines. Secondly, and perhaps more dramatically, it can suggest that the Syrians, in their panic and disarray, turned on each other, mistaking their comrades for enemies. This phenomenon of "friendly fire" or self-inflicted chaos due to divine terror was a known element in ancient warfare, often attributed to supernatural intervention (cf. [Judges 7:22](/judges/7-22 "Judges 7:22 - Midianites Turn on Each Other") or [2 Chronicles 20:23](/2_chronicles/20-23 "2 Chronicles 20:23 - Ammon and Moab Turn on Each Other")). In either interpretation, the phrase underscores a victory that was not merely strategic or numerical but supernaturally assisted, demonstrating God's hand in the rout.
* **fled (Hebrew, _vayyānusū'_):** This verb denotes a sudden, rapid, and disorderly retreat, indicative of panic and complete disorganization. It contrasts sharply with the earlier confidence and numerical superiority of the Syrian forces. The immediate and widespread flight signifies a comprehensive collapse of morale and military cohesion, leaving no room for regrouping or a sustained defense. It emphasizes the completeness of their defeat.
* **escaped (Hebrew, _vayyimmālēṭ'_):** This verb implies a narrow, desperate, and often ignominious flight from danger. For Ben-Hadad, a powerful king who had boasted of his overwhelming force, to "escape" on horseback with only his horsemen signifies a profound personal humiliation. It depicts him abandoning his army and allies, prioritizing his own survival over the fate of his troops or the honor of his kingdom. This hasty, undignified flight is a direct consequence and symbolic representation of the crushing defeat and the reversal of fortunes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they slew every one his man:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the astonishing effectiveness of the Israelite counter-attack. The "they" refers to the small Israelite force, specifically the 232 young men who initiated the engagement, followed by the 7,000 Israelites. The phrase "every one his man" emphasizes the individual, decisive impact of each Israelite soldier, or, as discussed in Key Word Analysis, the chaotic self-destruction within the Syrian ranks, both pointing to a divinely empowered or induced rout.
* **"and the Syrians fled;"** This clause describes the immediate and direct consequence of the Israelite's initial assault. The vast Syrian army, previously confident and numerically superior, breaks ranks and flees in disarray. This sudden and widespread flight underscores the panic and demoralization that gripped the enemy, confirming the supernatural element of the victory.
* **"and Israel pursued them:"** This indicates that the Israelite victory was not merely defensive but a comprehensive rout. The pursuit aimed to maximize the enemy's losses, prevent regrouping, and secure a decisive outcome. It demonstrates the momentum of the Israelite forces and the completeness of the Syrian collapse.
* **"and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen."** This final clause highlights the personal humiliation of the Syrian king. Ben-Hadad, who had been reveling in his perceived victory and making arrogant demands, is now reduced to a desperate flight, abandoning his army and his allies. His escape "on a horse with the horsemen" suggests a hasty, undignified retreat, perhaps with his personal guard, leaving the bulk of his forces to their fate. This image serves as a powerful symbol of the downfall of pride and the reversal of fortunes orchestrated by God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Dramatic Irony** is prominent, as the once boastful and seemingly invincible Ben-Hadad, who had threatened to reduce Samaria to dust, is now seen fleeing ignominiously for his life. His earlier arrogance ([1 Kings 20:10-12](/1_kings/20-10-12 "1 Kings 20:10-12 - Ben-Hadad's Arrogance")) stands in stark **Contrast** to his desperate escape, highlighting the swift and unexpected reversal of fortunes. The phrase "slew every one his man" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extraordinary and overwhelming nature of the Israelite victory, perhaps suggesting a level of efficiency or chaos beyond typical human combat. This hyperbole serves to underscore the divine intervention at play. Finally, Ben-Hadad's flight on horseback with his cavalry functions as **Symbolism**, representing not just his personal defeat but the complete collapse of his army's morale and the humbling of Aram's perceived might before the power of the Lord.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the biblical truth that God is sovereign over all nations and that human strength, numbers, or arrogance are no match for His divine will. The victory granted to Israel, a nation often prone to idolatry and weakness, against a formidable enemy like Aram, serves as a clear demonstration that God acts to fulfill His purposes and to reveal His identity as the one true Lord. It reinforces the principle that pride precedes destruction, and those who defy God's authority will ultimately be humbled. This divine intervention in battle is not merely a historical event but a theological statement about God's active involvement in the affairs of humanity, demonstrating His justice, faithfulness, and power to deliver His people, often through unexpected means, ensuring that the glory belongs to Him alone.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalm/33-16-17 "Psalm 33:16-17 - No King is Saved by the Size of His Army")
* [Deuteronomy 28:7](/deuteronomy/28-7 "Deuteronomy 28:7 - God Will Cause Your Enemies to Be Defeated")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Israel's victory over Aram in 1 Kings 20:20 offers profound lessons for believers facing overwhelming odds or arrogant opposition in their own lives. Just as God intervened for a weak and undeserving Israel, He remains faithful to His promises and capable of delivering His people today. This passage calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and absolute dependence on God, rather than relying on our own strength, resources, or perceived advantages. When confronted with seemingly insurmountable challenges—whether personal struggles, professional pressures, or spiritual battles—we are reminded that the victory belongs to the Lord. Our role is to obey His commands, trust His word, and step out in faith, knowing that He often chooses to work through the weak and the few to confound the strong and the many, ensuring that His glory is magnified. This should inspire courage and unwavering faith, knowing that God is actively involved in our lives, ready to humble the proud and lift up the humble, just as He did for Ahab's Israel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength or resources rather than God's power?**
* **How does Ben-Hadad's arrogance and subsequent humiliation challenge your own tendencies towards pride or self-sufficiency?**
* **Can you recall a time when God delivered you from an overwhelming situation, demonstrating His power in an unexpected way? How did that experience deepen your trust in Him?**
* **What specific "prophetic promises" (e.g., from Scripture, or a sense of God's leading) are you holding onto in a difficult situation, and how does this passage encourage you to trust in their fulfillment?**

### FAQ
**What does the phrase "slew every one his man" truly imply about the battle?**

Answer: The phrase "slew every one his man" (Hebrew: _vayyakkū 'îš 'îšô_) is a powerful and somewhat ambiguous expression. It can be interpreted in two primary ways, both pointing to a divinely orchestrated, overwhelming victory. Firstly, it could mean that each Israelite soldier was incredibly effective, individually striking down a Syrian opponent, highlighting their extraordinary prowess or divine enablement in combat. Secondly, and perhaps more dramatically, it could imply that the Syrians, in their panic and disarray, became so disoriented that they turned their weapons on one another, mistaking their comrades for enemies. This phenomenon of internal chaos and self-destruction among an enemy army due to divine terror is seen elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., [Judges 7:22](/judges/7-22 "Judges 7:22 - Midianites Turn on Each Other") or [2 Chronicles 20:23](/2_chronicles/20-23 "2 Chronicles 20:23 - Ammon and Moab Turn on Each Other")). In either case, the phrase emphasizes the completeness and supernatural nature of the rout, making it clear that this was no ordinary military victory but a direct act of God.

**Why was Ben-Hadad's escape on horseback significant?**

Answer: Ben-Hadad's escape "on an horse with the horsemen" is highly significant because it underscores his profound humiliation and the completeness of his defeat. As the king and commander of a vast and confident army, he had boasted arrogantly and made excessive demands of Ahab ([1 Kings 20:1-12](/1_kings/20-1-12 "1 Kings 20:1-12 - Ben-Hadad's Arrogance and Threats")). For such a powerful figure to be reduced to a desperate, undignified flight, abandoning his army and allies, is a stark reversal of fortune. It symbolizes the downfall of pride and the swift, decisive judgment of God against those who defy Him. His ignominious escape contrasts sharply with his earlier pomp and circumstance, serving as a visual testament to God's power to humble the haughty.

**How does this victory relate to God's character, especially given Ahab's unfaithfulness?**

Answer: This victory profoundly reveals God's character, particularly His sovereignty, faithfulness, and justice, even in the face of human unfaithfulness. Despite King Ahab's consistent idolatry and wickedness, God still chose to deliver Israel and fulfill His prophetic word ([1 Kings 20:13](/1_kings/20-13 "1 Kings 20:13 - God's Promise of Victory")). This demonstrates that God's actions are not solely contingent on human merit but are driven by His own purposes: to reveal His identity ("that you may know that I am the Lord"), to protect His covenant people (even when they stray), and to demonstrate His power over all earthly kingdoms and their gods. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to His divine plan and His willingness to use even flawed instruments to achieve His redemptive and revelatory goals, ultimately ensuring that all glory redounds to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic rout of Ben-Hadad and his Syrian army in 1 Kings 20:20, orchestrated by God to humble the proud and deliver His people, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as an earthly king, full of pride and boasting, was decisively defeated, so too Christ, the true King, utterly triumphed over the spiritual forces of darkness that held humanity captive. The victory in 1 Kings 20 foreshadows Christ's ultimate conquest of sin, death, and the devil—enemies far more formidable than any earthly army. Through His crucifixion, where He appeared weak and defeated, and His glorious resurrection, Jesus "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The ignominious flight of Ben-Hadad parallels the ultimate defeat of Satan, who, though once a formidable accuser, is now stripped of his power and destined for eternal judgment ([Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Devil Cast into the Lake of Fire")). The "Lamb of God" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), who appeared humble and meek, is the true Lion of Judah ([Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of Judah")), who will return as the victorious King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")), bringing final and complete deliverance to all who trust in Him, just as Israel experienced a temporary deliverance. This ancient victory points forward to the eternal triumph of God's Son, securing not just physical peace but spiritual freedom and eternal life for all who believe.

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

Judges 7:20

And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow [withal]: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

Judges 7:22

And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, [and] to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.

1 Samuel 30:16

And when he had brought him down, behold, [they were] spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

1 Samuel 30:17

And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.

Psalms 46:6

¶ The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

Ecclesiastes 9:11

¶ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race [is] not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Leviticus 26:8

And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.