1 Kings 20:1

¶ And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and [there were] thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.

And Benhadad {H1130} the king {H4428} of Syria {H758} gathered {H6908} all his host {H2428} together {H6908}: and there were thirty {H7970} and two {H8147} kings {H4428} with him, and horses {H5483}, and chariots {H7393}: and he went up {H5927} and besieged {H6696} Samaria {H8111}, and warred {H3898} against it.

Now Ben-Hadad the king of Aram rallied his whole army; with him were thirty-two kings, besides horses and chariots. Then he marched on Shomron and laid siege to it.

Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he marched up, besieged Samaria, and waged war against it.

And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together; and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.

Commentary

1 Kings 20:1 introduces a significant military confrontation between the kingdom of Israel, specifically its capital Samaria, and the powerful Aramean (Syrian) kingdom under King Ben-Hadad. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic narrative of war, divine intervention, and the complexities of leadership.

Context

The historical setting is the reign of King Ahab over the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Samaria, established by Ahab's father Omri as the capital city (1 Kings 16:24), was a fortified city, strategically located. Ben-Hadad, king of Syria (also known as Aram), was a formidable regional power. His gathering of "thirty and two kings" indicates a vast coalition of vassal states and an overwhelming military force, including numerous "horses, and chariots," signifying the cutting edge of ancient warfare technology. This aggressive act was a direct challenge to Israel's sovereignty and a grave threat to its people.

Key Themes

  • Overwhelming Aggression: The verse immediately highlights the immense scale and might of Ben-Hadad's invading force, emphasizing the seemingly insurmountable odds facing Samaria.
  • Vulnerability of Israel: Despite being a fortified capital, Samaria is shown under direct siege, illustrating the constant external threats faced by God's people in the ancient Near East.
  • Regional Power Dynamics: It portrays the complex geopolitical landscape, where powerful empires like Syria sought to expand their influence and control over smaller kingdoms like Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thirty and two kings with him" is particularly striking. It does not necessarily mean thirty-two independent monarchs of equal standing, but rather a large confederation of lesser rulers, chieftains, or governors who were vassals to Ben-Hadad. This detail underscores the vast resources and widespread authority Ben-Hadad commanded, making his "host" (army) an exceptionally potent and intimidating force.

Related Scriptures

This initial siege foreshadows other times Samaria would face dire circumstances, such as the later Aramean siege described in 2 Kings 6:24. The subsequent events in 1 Kings chapter 20 reveal God's surprising intervention and deliverance for Israel, despite their king Ahab's unfaithfulness (see 1 Kings 20:13).

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that even when confronted by seemingly overwhelming forces or insurmountable challenges, God's people are not left to their own devices. While the immediate focus is on a military threat, it can symbolize any major adversity. The narrative that follows this verse demonstrates God's ability to deliver His people and execute His purposes, often in unexpected ways, even when human leadership is flawed. It encourages us to remember that true strength and ultimate victory often come from a source beyond human might, just as God delivered Israel from Ben-Hadad's massive army.

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 15:18 (5 votes)

    Then Asa took all the silver and the gold [that were] left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,

  • 1 Kings 15:20 (3 votes)

    So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.

  • 1 Kings 22:31 (3 votes)

    But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.

  • Isaiah 37:24 (2 votes)

    By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, [and] the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, [and] the forest of his Carmel.

  • Ezekiel 26:7 (2 votes)

    For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people.

  • Deuteronomy 20:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, [and] a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

  • Amos 1:4 (2 votes)

    But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad.