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.

And, behold, there came {H5066} a {H259} prophet {H5030} unto Ahab {H256} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, saying {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Hast thou seen {H7200} all this great {H1419} multitude {H1995}? behold, I will deliver {H5414} it into thine hand {H3027} this day {H3117}; and thou shalt know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}.

At that moment a prophet approached Ach'av king of Isra'el and said, "Here is what ADONAI says: 'Have you seen this vast army? I am going to give you victory over them today. Then you will know that I am ADONAI!'"

Meanwhile a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and declared, โ€œThis is what the LORD says: โ€˜Do you see this entire great army? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this very day, and you will know that I am the LORD.โ€™โ€

And, behold, a prophet came near unto Ahab king of Israel, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thy hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah.

Commentary

1 Kings 20:13 records a pivotal moment during the reign of King Ahab of Israel, a time marked by moral and spiritual decline. Despite Ahab's persistent wickedness and promotion of Baal worship, God, in His sovereign mercy and for the sake of His covenant people and His own glory, intervenes directly.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of a major conflict between the northern kingdom of Israel, led by King Ahab, and the powerful Aramean (Syrian) kingdom, led by King Ben-Hadad. Ben-Hadad had besieged Samaria, the capital of Israel, with a vast and intimidating army, putting Ahab and his people in a desperate situation. The prophet's sudden appearance and divine message come at a moment of extreme national peril, highlighting God's timely intervention even when His people, and especially their king, are unfaithful. This unexpected divine aid served as a stark contrast to the impotence of the pagan gods Ahab served, such as Baal.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative and Mercy: Even to a wicked king like Ahab, God sends a prophet with a message of deliverance. This demonstrates God's unmerited favor and His commitment to His covenant with Israel, despite their disobedience.
  • God's Sovereignty and Power: The LORD declares His intention to deliver the mighty Syrian army into Ahab's hand, emphasizing that the victory will be entirely His doing, not Israel's strength or military prowess. This act serves to demonstrate God's supreme authority over nations and armies, a theme often seen in the Old Testament, such as when He fights for His people.
  • Revelation of God's Identity: The core purpose of this miraculous deliverance is encapsulated in the phrase, "and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD." This isn't merely about winning a battle; it's about revealing God's true identity (YHWH, the self-existent, covenant-keeping God) to Ahab, to Israel, and to the surrounding nations. It's a call to acknowledge His unique power and authority, similar to how God revealed Himself to Pharaoh in Exodus 7:5.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thou shalt know that I am the LORD" is significant. The Hebrew word for "know" is yada (ื™ึธื“ึทืข), which implies not just intellectual understanding but also a deep, personal, experiential recognition. It's about acknowledging God's power and faithfulness through direct experience of His acts, leading to a changed relationship or at least an undeniable awareness of His reality.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today:

  1. God's Faithfulness Amidst Unfaithfulness: Even when we stray or are unfaithful, God remains true to His character and His promises. He may intervene not just for our sake, but for the sake of His own glory and purposes.
  2. Recognizing God's Hand: We are called to recognize God's active involvement in our lives and in the world, especially in moments of deliverance or unexpected help. These are opportunities to "know that He is the LORD."
  3. Humility in Victory: When victories come, whether personal or collective, they should point us back to God's sovereignty and grace, rather than fostering pride in our own abilities. The purpose of God's intervention is often to reveal Himself, not just to solve a problem.

The prophet's bold declaration to King Ahab serves as a reminder that God can use unexpected means and deliver against overwhelming odds to make His presence and power known, compelling even the most resistant hearts to confront His reality.

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

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 20:28 (7 votes)

    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.

  • Ezekiel 20:22 (4 votes)

    Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.

  • Isaiah 37:20 (3 votes)

    Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD, [even] thou only.

  • Joel 3:17 (3 votes)

    So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

  • Ezekiel 20:14 (3 votes)

    But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

  • Exodus 14:18 (3 votes)

    And the Egyptians shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

  • Exodus 16:12 (3 votes)

    I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD your God.