1 Kings 20:29

KJV

And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And [so] it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they pitched {H2583} one {H428} over against {H5227} the other {H428} seven {H7651} days {H3117}. And so it was, that in the seventh {H7637} day {H3117} the battle {H4421} was joined {H7126}: and the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} slew {H5221} of the Syrians {H758} an hundred {H3967} thousand {H505} footmen {H7273} in one {H259} day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They remained in camp opposite each other for seven days. On the seventh day, the battle began; and the people of Isra'el killed 100,000 soldiers of Aram in a single day.

Berean Standard Bible

For seven days the armies camped opposite each other, and on the seventh day the battle ensued, and the Israelites struck down the Arameans—a hundred thousand foot soldiers in one day.

American Standard Version

And they encamped one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined; and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians a hundred thousand footmen in one day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse encapsulates the dramatic and decisive climax of the second military confrontation between King Ahab's northern kingdom of Israel and the Aramean forces led by King Ben-Hadad. After a strategic and tense seven-day encampment where the opposing armies stood in a standoff, the battle was finally joined on the divinely appointed seventh day. This engagement culminated in an overwhelming and miraculous victory for Israel, marked by the staggering defeat of one hundred thousand Syrian infantrymen in a single day, a clear demonstration of God's universal sovereignty and power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [1 Kings 20:29](/1_kings/20-29 "1 Kings 20:29 - Israel's Decisive Victory") serves as the powerful culmination of the second major military encounter between Israel and Aram (Syria) within [1 Kings 20](/1_kings/20 "1 Kings 20 - Ahab's Wars with Aram"). The narrative immediately preceding this verse details Ben-Hadad's arrogant demands and his initial, surprising defeat in an earlier skirmish. Following this, Ben-Hadad's advisors, in their limited theological understanding, attributed Israel's victory to their God being merely a "god of the hills," suggesting that a battle fought on a plain would yield a different outcome ([1 Kings 20:23](/1_kings/20-23 "1 Kings 20:23 - Syrian Misconception of God")). In direct response to this blasphemous and geographically constrained view of divine power, a prophet of the Lord explicitly declared God's intention to deliver the vast Syrian army into Ahab's hand, stating, "that ye may know that I am the LORD" ([1 Kings 20:28](/1_kings/20-28 "1 Kings 20:28 - God's Promise of Victory")). Thus, the seven-day standoff and the subsequent overwhelming victory described in [1 Kings 20:29](/1_kings/20-29 "1 Kings 20:29 - Israel's Decisive Victory") are presented as the direct, undeniable fulfillment of this divine promise, emphatically demonstrating God's universal sovereignty and His power to humble those who defy Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for this conflict is the ongoing struggle for regional dominance between the burgeoning kingdom of Israel and the powerful Aramean kingdom of Damascus. Ben-Hadad II was a formidable opponent, and the implied scale of his forces (suggested by the presence of 32 kings in [1 Kings 20:1](/1_kings/20-1 "1 Kings 20:1 - Ben-Hadad's First Siege")) indicates a significant threat to Israelite autonomy. The Syrian belief in "gods of the hills" ([1 Kings 20:23](/1_kings/20-23 "1 Kings 20:23 - Syrian Misconception of God")) reflects a pervasive ancient Near Eastern polytheistic worldview, where deities were often associated with specific geographical territories, natural phenomena, or even particular cities. This cultural understanding made the battle's location in the plain of Aphek particularly significant; it was a direct challenge to the Syrians' theological framework, allowing the Lord to unequivocally demonstrate His absolute power over all creation, not just the mountainous regions of Israel. The seven-day period of encampment before battle was a common practice in ancient warfare, allowing for strategic positioning, psychological maneuvering, and often, the seeking of omens or divine favor before a major engagement.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme powerfully underscored by [1 Kings 20:29](/1_kings/20-29 "1 Kings 20:29 - Israel's Decisive Victory") is the **universal sovereignty and omnipresence of God**. This verse serves as a dramatic refutation of the limited, territorial understanding of God held by the Syrians, proving that the Lord is not confined to specific terrains or human expectations but exercises absolute dominion over all creation, whether hills or plains, as explicitly stated in [1 Kings 20:28](/1_kings/20-28 "1 Kings 20:28 - God's Promise of Victory"). Closely related is the theme of **divine intervention and the fulfillment of prophecy**, as the overwhelming victory is a direct, miraculous act of God, precisely as foretold by His prophet. This intervention serves to **vindicate God's name and reveal His true identity** ("that ye may know that I am the LORD") to both Israel and their pagan enemies, affirming His uniqueness among all deities. Finally, the sheer scale and **overwhelming nature of the victory** highlight God's unparalleled ability to deliver His people decisively against seemingly insurmountable odds, demonstrating His unmatched power and unwavering commitment to His covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **pitched (Hebrew, _ḥā·nāh'_):** From H2583, this verb signifies "to incline," and by implication, "to decline (of the slanting rays of evening)," but specifically, "to pitch a tent," or generally, "to encamp (for abode or siege)." In this context, it describes the strategic deployment of the two armies, setting up camp "one over against the other," signifying a tense standoff and readiness for conflict. It implies not just physical presence but a deliberate positioning for a decisive engagement.
* **seven days (Hebrew, _shebaʻ'_ and _yôwm'_):** From H7651 and H3117 respectively. `Shebaʻ` refers to the number seven, often carrying symbolic weight in biblical narratives, denoting completeness, perfection, or divine appointment. `Yôwm` refers to a day, whether literal (from sunrise to sunset or sunset to sunset) or figurative (a space of time). Here, the "seven days" of standoff is not merely a chronological detail but suggests a divinely ordained period of waiting, perhaps for God to fully prepare the hearts of His people or to allow the Syrians to fully commit to their blasphemous challenge, before His judgment was unleashed. It marks the appointed time for God's plan to unfold.
* **footmen (Hebrew, _raglî'_):** From H7273, this term specifically refers to infantry soldiers or those who travel on foot, distinguishing them from cavalry or charioteers. The emphasis on "footmen" highlights the ground troops, underscoring the massive scale of the direct, hand-to-hand combat and the immense human cost of the Syrian defeat. The sheer number—one hundred thousand—emphasizes the devastating and comprehensive nature of Israel's divinely assisted victory, focusing on the common soldier who bore the brunt of the battle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they pitched one over against the other seven days."**: This opening clause sets the scene for the impending conflict, depicting the two opposing armies, Israel and Aram, encamped in direct confrontation. The phrase "one over against the other" conveys a sense of intense tension and strategic readiness. The "seven days" signifies a period of deliberate waiting, not merely a random duration, but a divinely appointed interval, building anticipation for the climactic event.
* **"And [so] it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined":** This phrase marks the precise moment of engagement and the climax of the standoff. The repetition of "seventh day" emphatically underscores the divine timing of the battle, highlighting that this was not accidental but a pre-ordained moment for God's intervention. The battle was "joined," meaning the armies clashed in full-scale combat, initiating the decisive conflict that had been building for a week. This emphasizes the direct fulfillment of God's promise to deliver the Syrians.
* **"and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day."**: This final clause reveals the staggering and overwhelming outcome of the battle. The scale of the Syrian losses—a hundred thousand infantrymen (H7273 `raglî`)—is immense, emphasizing the devastating and comprehensive nature of Israel's victory. The phrase "in one day" highlights the swiftness and decisiveness of the divine intervention, leaving no doubt that this was not merely a human triumph but a miraculous and divinely orchestrated act of God's power, designed to humble the arrogant and reveal His universal sovereignty.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [1 Kings 20:29](/1_kings/20-29 "1 Kings 20:29 - Israel's Decisive Victory") employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, particularly evident in the "seven days" standoff and the battle commencing "in the seventh day." The number seven, frequently associated with divine completeness, perfection, and covenant in biblical numerology, emphasizes that this was not a random occurrence but a divinely appointed moment for God's judgment and a clear demonstration of His power. The staggering number of casualties, "an hundred thousand footmen," functions as **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration** (even if literally true, the emphasis is on the overwhelming scale), underscoring the devastating and decisive nature of the victory, which can only be attributed to supernatural intervention rather than mere human military prowess. This dramatic outcome also serves as a powerful **Contrast** to the earlier Syrian arrogance and their limited, territorial view of God, highlighting His boundless and universal sovereignty. The entire account is framed as an act of **Divine Intervention**, where God's explicit promise in [1 Kings 20:28](/1_kings/20-28 "1 Kings 20:28 - God's Promise of Victory") is literally and dramatically fulfilled, showcasing His direct involvement in human affairs and His unwavering commitment to defending His name and revealing His identity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Kings 20:29](/1_kings/20-29 "1 Kings 20:29 - Israel's Decisive Victory") profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty and His unchallengeable power over all creation and all human endeavors. This victory serves as a tangible refutation of any notion that God's authority is limited by geography, human strategy, or the strength of opposing forces. It is a powerful demonstration that the Lord is the God of both the hills and the valleys, actively involved in the affairs of nations to accomplish His purposes and vindicate His name. The overwhelming nature of the victory underscores His ability to deliver His people against seemingly insurmountable odds, reinforcing the theme of divine faithfulness to covenant promises, even when His people, like King Ahab, are far from perfect in their obedience. This passage reminds us that God's power is not constrained by human understanding or limitations, but is boundless and effective in bringing about His will.
* [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")
* [Isaiah 45:5-7](/isaiah/45-5 "Isaiah 45:5-7 - God's Universal Sovereignty")
* [Romans 9:14-16](/romans/9-14 "Romans 9:14-16 - God's Sovereign Choice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dramatic account in [1 Kings 20:29](/1_kings/20-29 "1 Kings 20:29 - Israel's Decisive Victory") offers profound encouragement and a vital theological lesson for believers today. Just as God decisively intervened to demonstrate His boundless sovereignty over the plains of Aphek, refuting the limited understanding of His power, so too does He remain sovereign over every circumstance, challenge, and perceived limitation in our lives. This passage calls us to cultivate an unshakeable faith in God's universal dominion, recognizing that His power is not constrained by our circumstances, our weaknesses, or the formidable nature of our adversaries. It reminds us that when we face "giants" or seemingly insurmountable odds, our trust must be placed not in our own strength or strategy, but in the God who can deliver an overwhelming victory in a single day. This divine intervention serves as a timeless testament to God's unwavering control, His commitment to defending His name, and His ultimate triumph over all opposition. We are called to live with the confidence that the God of the hills is also the God of the valleys, and indeed, the God of all creation, actively working on behalf of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to limit God's power or presence, perhaps seeing Him as only "God of the hills" in certain situations or specific domains?**
* **How does the overwhelming, divinely orchestrated victory described here encourage your faith when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges or spiritual battles in your own life?**
* **What specific promise of God are you holding onto today, and how does this passage reinforce your trust in His ability to fulfill it, even against all odds and human expectations?**

### FAQ
**Why did the battle take place on the seventh day?**

Answer: The timing of the battle on the seventh day is highly significant, reflecting a common biblical motif where the number seven denotes completeness, divine appointment, or the culmination of a divine plan. It suggests that the seven-day standoff was not merely a random period of waiting but a divinely ordained interval, preparing for God's decisive intervention. This timing underscores that the victory was not accidental or purely human-driven, but a precise fulfillment of God's promise to demonstrate His sovereignty and humble the arrogant Syrians, as declared in [1 Kings 20:28](/1_kings/20-28 "1 Kings 20:28 - God's Promise of Victory"). It emphasizes the Lord's control over time and events.

**Was the number "one hundred thousand" a literal count or a symbolic exaggeration?**

Answer: While ancient casualty counts can sometimes be hyperbolic to emphasize the scale of a victory, the biblical text presents "one hundred thousand footmen" as a literal and staggering number of Syrian casualties. The purpose of recording such a precise and immense figure is to underscore the miraculous and overwhelming nature of Israel's victory, which could only have been achieved through direct divine intervention. It serves to highlight God's power to defeat a vastly superior enemy in a single day, leaving no doubt that the Lord, not human military might, was responsible for the triumph, directly refuting the Syrian's limited view of God's power in [1 Kings 20:23](/1_kings/20-23 "1 Kings 20:23 - Syrian Misconception of God"). The sheer scale magnifies the divine hand at work.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The decisive victory recounted in [1 Kings 20:29](/1_kings/20-29 "1 Kings 20:29 - Israel's Decisive Victory"), where God overwhelmingly defeats Israel's enemies in a single day, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and final victory achieved by Jesus Christ. Just as God demonstrated His universal sovereignty over all terrains and powers, so Christ, the true King of Israel and the Son of God, demonstrated His absolute dominion over sin, death, and the forces of darkness. The "seventh day" motif, signifying completion and divine appointment, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's finished work on the cross, where He declared, "[It is finished!](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Final Words on the Cross")" and secured a decisive, eternal victory over all spiritual adversaries. His resurrection on the first day of the week, following the "seventh day" of rest in the tomb, inaugurates a new creation and a new era of overwhelming triumph for all who believe, fulfilling the prophecies of a new covenant ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")). The slaughter of one hundred thousand footmen pales in comparison to the spiritual victory won by the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), a victory that frees humanity from the bondage of sin and death, offering eternal life and a share in His glorious reign ([Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9-10 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The Lamb's Worthiness")). This Old Testament battle, therefore, serves as a powerful type, pointing to the greater, eternal triumph of Christ, whose single sacrifice secured a victory far more profound and lasting than any earthly conquest, establishing His kingdom that will never end ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Everlasting Kingdom of the Son of Man") and [Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - The Eternal Reign of Jesus")).

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

Psalms 10:16

The LORD [is] King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.

Isaiah 37:36

Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.

Joshua 6:15

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.

1 Samuel 17:16

And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.

2 Chronicles 13:17

And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.

2 Samuel 10:18

And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew [the men of] seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.

2 Chronicles 28:6

¶ For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, [which were] all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.