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.

And there came {H5066} a man {H376} of God {H430}, and spake {H559} unto the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, and said {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Because the Syrians {H758} have said {H559}, The LORD {H3068} is God {H430} of the hills {H2022}, but he is not God {H430} of the valleys {H6010}, therefore will I deliver {H5414} all this great {H1419} multitude {H1995} into thine hand {H3027}, and ye shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}.

At this point, a man of God approached and said to the king of Isra'el, "Here is what ADONAI says: 'Because Aram said that ADONAI is a God of the hills but not a God of the valleys, I will hand over to you this entire huge army. Then you will know that I am ADONAI.'"

Then the man of God approached the king of Israel and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not of the valleys, I will deliver all this great army into your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”

And a man of God came near and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, Because the Syrians have said, Jehovah is a god of the hills, but he is not a god of the valleys; therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thy hand, and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.

Commentary

Context of 1 Kings 20:28

This verse follows a significant conflict between the Kingdom of Israel, under King Ahab, and the Arameans (Syrians), led by King Ben-Hadad. After a miraculous victory granted by God to Israel in the hills (1 Kings 20:20-21), the defeated Syrians, attributing their loss to Israel's God being a "god of the hills," regrouped and planned a second attack on the plains. Their reasoning reflected a common ancient Near Eastern pagan belief that deities had localized power, limited to specific geographical regions or terrains. This theological misunderstanding set the stage for God's powerful declaration.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Universal Sovereignty: The central message is an emphatic refutation of the Syrian misconception. The LORD (Hebrew: Yahweh), the God of Israel, is not confined to mountains or any specific location; He is the sovereign ruler over all creation, including both "hills" and "valleys." This highlights His omnipresence and omnipotence.
  • Divine Revelation: God's purpose in delivering the Syrians into Israel's hand was not merely victory, but a profound revelation: "ye shall know that I am the LORD." This was intended to demonstrate His unique and absolute nature, not only to the pagan Syrians but also to the wavering Israelites, who often succumbed to idolatry under Ahab's reign. This echoes similar declarations of God's self-revelation, such as in Exodus 6:7, where He promised to deliver Israel from Egypt.
  • Refutation of Paganism: The verse directly challenges and dismantles the polytheistic and localized deity concepts prevalent in the ancient world. It affirms monotheism and the singular, limitless power of the one true God.

Linguistic Insights

The name "LORD" in the King James Version consistently translates the Hebrew personal name of God, Yahweh (often rendered as YHWH or Jehovah). The declaration "I am the LORD" (Hebrew: Ani Yahweh) is a powerful statement of divine identity and authority, emphasizing God's self-existence and unique nature. It's a foundational claim that distinguishes Him from all other supposed gods.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Kings 20:28 serves as a powerful reminder that God is not limited by our circumstances, our location, or our understanding. Whether we face challenges in the "hills" of prosperity or the "valleys" of adversity, God's presence and power remain constant. This verse encourages us to trust in God's unlimited sovereignty and to remember that His ultimate goal is for all to know and acknowledge Him as the one true God. Our trials and triumphs can both serve as opportunities for God to reveal His glory.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 20:13

    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.

  • 1 Kings 17:18

    And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

  • Ezekiel 36:21

    But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.

  • Ezekiel 36:23

    And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

  • Psalms 79:10

    Wherefore should the heathen say, Where [is] their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight [by] the revenging of the blood of thy servants [which is] shed.

  • Ezekiel 12:16

    But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 36:32

    Not for your sakes do I [this], saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.
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