1 Kings 20:27

KJV

And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} were numbered {H6485}, and were all present {H3557}, and went {H3212} against {H7125} them: and the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} pitched {H2583} before them like two {H8147} little flocks {H2835} of kids {H5795}; but the Syrians {H758} filled {H4390} the country {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The army of Isra'el, already mobilized and supplied, went to meet them; but the army of Isra'el, encamped opposite them, looked like two herds of goats; while Aram filled the land.

Berean Standard Bible

The Israelites also mobilized, gathered supplies, and marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped before them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside.

American Standard Version

And the children of Israel were mustered, and were victualled, and went against them: and the children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 20:27 vividly portrays the immense numerical and visual disparity between the Israelite and Syrian armies just before their second major confrontation. This striking contrast, where Israel appears as two small, vulnerable flocks of goats and Syria fills the entire landscape, deliberately sets the stage for a dramatic and undeniable demonstration of God's sovereign power, emphasizing that victory would be achieved not through human might or military superiority, but solely through divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial narrative arc in [1 Kings 20](/1_kings/20 "1 Kings 20 - Ahab's Wars with Aram"), detailing two significant battles between King Ahab of Israel and King Ben-Hadad of Aram (Syria). The first battle saw Ben-Hadad besiege Samaria, only for God, through an unnamed prophet, to promise Ahab victory to demonstrate His sovereignty over all nations and circumstances ([1 Kings 20:13](/1_kings/20-13 "1 Kings 20:13 - God Promises Victory")). Israel achieved a miraculous victory. Following this defeat, the Syrian advisors, misinterpreting the source of Israel's strength, concluded that Israel's gods were "gods of the hills" and advised Ben-Hadad to fight in the plains, believing they would prevail there ([1 Kings 20:23-25](/1_kings/20-23 "1 Kings 20:23-25 - Syrian Miscalculation")). Verse 27 describes the re-assembled armies for this second battle, highlighting the overwhelming odds against Israel, deliberately setting up another opportunity for God to reveal Himself as the God of all places and all power, as explicitly stated in the subsequent verse where God explains the purpose of the victory ([1 Kings 20:28](/1_kings/20-28 "1 Kings 20:28 - God's Purpose for Victory")). The narrative structure intentionally builds tension through this numerical imbalance to magnify God's subsequent intervention.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Divided Monarchy in Israel was characterized by frequent conflicts with neighboring kingdoms, particularly Aram (Syria), which was a formidable regional power. Warfare in the ancient Near East often relied heavily on numerical superiority, chariots, and strategic positioning. The Syrian belief in "gods of the hills" reflects a common ancient polytheistic worldview where deities were often associated with specific geographical locations or natural phenomena. This cultural understanding made the plains seem like a more advantageous battleground for their cavalry and chariots, and a place where Israel's "hill gods" would presumably be less effective. The description of armies "filling the country" or appearing as "flocks" speaks to the visual impact and psychological warfare inherent in ancient military displays, where sheer numbers were meant to intimidate and demoralize the enemy before battle even began.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme underscored by this verse is **Divine Sovereignty over Human Might**. The stark numerical contrast between the "two little flocks of kids" (Israel) and the Syrians who "filled the country" emphasizes that victory would not come through superior numbers, strategic brilliance, or human strength, but solely through God's intervention. This highlights that God's power is not bound by human limitations, military prowess, or geographical location, directly countering the Syrian theological error. Another key theme is **Faith Amidst Overwhelming Odds**. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Israelite army "went against them," demonstrating a measure of obedience and trust in the prophetic word God had given. Their willingness to face such a formidable foe speaks to the necessity of trusting God's promises even when circumstances seem impossible, echoing principles found in passages like [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord"). Finally, the dramatic imbalance serves to magnify **God's Glory and Revelation**. By allowing the situation to become so dire from a human perspective, God ensures that when He delivers His people, the victory is undeniably attributed to Him alone, teaching both Israel and their enemies about His omnipotence and omnipresence, as He declares in [1 Kings 20:28](/1_kings/20-28 "1 Kings 20:28 - God Reveals His Identity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _paqad'_):** The Hebrew verb פָקַד (_paqad_) means "to number," "to muster," "to visit," or "to inspect." In this context, it refers to the official counting and organization of the Israelite forces. The phrase "were numbered, and were all present" suggests a complete and accurate count, indicating that despite their small size, every available soldier was accounted for and ready for battle. This meticulous accounting underscores their apparent inadequacy in comparison to the Syrians, making the divine intervention even more striking.
* **Kids (Hebrew, _g'dayim'_):** The Hebrew word גְּדָיִים (_g'dayim_) refers to young goats. This term is used in a powerful simile to describe the Israelite army. Young goats are small, relatively defenseless, and easily scattered. The imagery of "two little flocks of kids" vividly conveys the extreme numerical inferiority, vulnerability, and apparent weakness of the Israelite forces. This deliberate choice of imagery amplifies the sense of helplessness from a human perspective, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of God's impending intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them:"** This opening clause establishes the Israelite army's readiness and commitment. Despite their awareness of the enemy's superior numbers, they gathered, were accounted for, and actively advanced towards the Syrian forces. This demonstrates a measure of obedience to the prophetic word and a willingness to engage, even in the face of daunting odds. It sets the stage for a test of faith and divine power.
* **"and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids;"** This is the heart of the visual contrast. The simile "like two little flocks of kids" powerfully illustrates the Israelite army's insignificance in comparison to the vast Syrian host. It evokes an image of vulnerability, smallness, and perhaps even innocence, highlighting their apparent inability to contend with such a formidable enemy through conventional means. The "two flocks" might suggest their division or simply emphasize their diminutive size.
* **"but the Syrians filled the country."** This contrasting clause completes the visual. The Syrians are depicted as an overwhelming, omnipresent force, so numerous that they literally "filled the country" or "covered the land." This hyperbole emphasizes their immense numerical superiority and the seemingly insurmountable challenge they presented to Israel. The stark juxtaposition with the "two little flocks of kids" creates a dramatic tension, making the subsequent divine victory all the more profound and undeniably miraculous.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Simile**, specifically in the phrase "like two little flocks of kids." This comparison vividly portrays the Israelite army's small size and vulnerability, creating a powerful visual image of their apparent weakness. Coupled with this is **Hyperbole**, used in the description that "the Syrians filled the country." This exaggeration emphasizes the overwhelming numerical superiority of the Syrian forces, creating a sense of their boundless multitude and the seemingly impossible odds faced by Israel. Finally, the verse masterfully uses **Juxtaposition** and **Contrast**. By placing the image of the tiny, vulnerable Israelite "flocks" directly against the vast, land-filling Syrian army, the text highlights the extreme disparity in strength. This stark contrast serves a crucial theological purpose: it magnifies the miracle that is about to unfold, ensuring that any victory will be clearly attributed to divine power rather than human might or strategy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates a foundational biblical truth: God's strength is made perfect in weakness, and His power is not limited by human limitations or overwhelming circumstances. The seemingly impossible odds faced by Israel serve as a canvas upon which God paints a clear picture of His absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers and military might. It challenges the human tendency to rely on visible resources and numbers, directing faith instead towards the invisible, omnipotent God. This divine strategy ensures that when victory comes, it brings undeniable glory to God alone, teaching both His people and His adversaries about His unique identity as the God who saves.

* [Judges 7:2-7](/judges/7-2 "Judges 7:2-7 - Gideon's Army Reduced")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might, Nor by Power")
* [2 Chronicles 14:11](/2_chronicles/14-11 "2 Chronicles 14:11 - Asa's Prayer for Victory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 20:27 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating seemingly insurmountable challenges in contemporary life. Whether facing overwhelming financial burdens, daunting health crises, relational conflicts, or spiritual battles, this verse reminds us that the size of our opposition does not dictate the outcome when God is involved. It calls us to shift our focus from the visible magnitude of our problems to the invisible, infinite power of God. Just as the Israelites were called to advance despite their apparent weakness, we are invited to trust God's promises and move forward in faith, even when circumstances seem utterly hopeless. God often allows situations to reach a point of human impossibility precisely so that when He intervenes, His name alone is glorified, strengthening our faith and bearing witness to His faithfulness to a watching world. This passage challenges us to ask: Are we looking at the "flocks of kids" in our lives or at the God who can fill the country with His power?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Syrian army" (overwhelming challenge or opposition) am I currently facing that feels insurmountable?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on my own strength or resources, rather than trusting God's power?**
* **How does the imagery of "two little flocks of kids" encourage or challenge my perspective on weakness and divine strength?**
* **What specific promise from God can I cling to when the odds seem stacked against me?**

### FAQ
**Why did God allow such a vast numerical disparity between the armies?**

Answer: God deliberately allowed this extreme numerical disparity to ensure that the ensuing victory would be unequivocally attributed to Him alone, rather than to Israel's military prowess or strategic advantage. This served several crucial purposes: first, it corrected the theological error of the Syrians, who believed Israel's God was limited to "gods of the hills" ([1 Kings 20:23](/1_kings/20-23 "1 Kings 20:23 - Syrian Misunderstanding")). By granting victory in the plains against overwhelming odds, God demonstrated His universal sovereignty. Second, it built the faith of the Israelites, teaching them to rely on His power rather than their own strength or numbers. Third, it brought immense glory to His name, as He explicitly states in [1 Kings 20:28](/1_kings/20-28 "1 Kings 20:28 - God's Declaration of Sovereignty"): "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." This divine strategy is a recurring pattern in biblical narrative, seen also in Gideon's reduced army ([Judges 7](/judges/7 "Judges 7 - Gideon's Victory")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The striking visual of Israel as "two little flocks of kids" against the overwhelming Syrian host finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate demonstration of God's power through apparent weakness: the cross of Jesus Christ. Just as God chose to display His might through a numerically inferior army, so too did He choose the path of humility and suffering to achieve the greatest victory over sin and death. The world saw a crucified man, seemingly defeated and powerless, a "lamb led to the slaughter" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - Lamb Led to Slaughter")), yet through this ultimate act of weakness, Christ disarmed the principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")) and secured eternal salvation. His "little flock" of disciples ([Luke 12:32](/luke/12-32 "Luke 12:32 - Fear Not, Little Flock")) was commissioned to conquer the world not with swords or armies, but with the "foolishness of the cross" and the power of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross")). Thus, 1 Kings 20:27 foreshadows the divine paradox where God's ultimate triumph is achieved not through overwhelming force, but through the humble, sacrificial, and seemingly weak Lamb of God, who ultimately fills the entire cosmos with His glory and reign ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Exaltation")).

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 6:5

For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; [for] both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.

1 Samuel 13:5

And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which [is] on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

1 Samuel 13:8

¶ And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel [had appointed]: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

2 Chronicles 32:7

Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that [is] with him: for [there be] more with us than with him:

2 Chronicles 32:8

With him [is] an arm of flesh; but with us [is] the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Joshua 1:11

Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.

Judges 7:8

So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all [the rest of] Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.