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1 Kings 20:18

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And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.

And he said {H559}, Whether they be come out {H3318} for peace {H7965}, take {H8610} them alive {H2416}; or whether they be come out {H3318} for war {H4421}, take {H8610} them alive {H2416}.

He said, "Whether they have come out for peace or for war, take them alive."

“If they have marched out in peace,” he said, “take them alive. Even if they have marched out for war, take them alive.”

And he said, Whether they are come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they are come out for war, take them alive.

Commentary

1 Kings 20:18 presents a pivotal moment during the second conflict between King Ben-hadad of Syria and King Ahab of Israel, revealing the Syrian king's military strategy and his mindset.

Context

This verse is set during Ben-hadad's second attempt to conquer Israel, specifically after his initial, humiliating defeat (detailed in 1 Kings 20:21). Despite having been routed by a much smaller Israelite force, Ben-hadad, advised by his servants, gathers an even larger army, believing that Israel's God is only a "god of the hills" and not powerful on the plains (1 Kings 20:23). In this scene, Ben-hadad is at Aphek, and scouts report men coming out of Samaria. His immediate command, "Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive," reflects his strategic intent to gather intelligence or assert dominance, regardless of the enemy's immediate posture.

Key Themes

  • Military Intelligence and Strategy: Ben-hadad's order to "take them alive" underscores a desire for information. Capturing enemy personnel, whether they are a peace delegation or an attacking force, allows for interrogation to ascertain troop strength, intentions, or weaknesses. This was a common tactic in ancient warfare.
  • Arrogance and Miscalculation: Despite his previous defeat, Ben-hadad displays continued overconfidence. His command suggests an underestimation of the Israelite forces and the divine intervention that secured Israel's earlier victory. This hubris often leads to a fall, as seen in Proverbs 16:18.
  • Control and Dominance: The command to take prisoners alive also asserts Ben-hadad's perceived authority and power, intending to demoralize the Israelites and demonstrate his control over the situation, even from a besieged position.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "take them alive" is תִּפְשׂוּם חַיִּים (tifsum chayyim), meaning "seize them alive" or "capture them living." It is a direct and unambiguous military order to secure prisoners rather than engage in immediate slaughter. This emphasizes the strategic value Ben-hadad placed on capturing individuals for intelligence or as a show of force, rather than simply eliminating the threat.

Practical Application

This verse, within its broader narrative, serves as a reminder of several principles:

  • The Folly of Underestimating Adversaries: Ben-hadad's persistent arrogance despite God's clear intervention highlights the danger of underestimating an opponent, especially when divine power is involved, whether in ancient conflicts or modern-day challenges.
  • God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, the narrative demonstrates God's sovereignty over kings and nations, proving He is not limited by geography or human military might. He is the God of the hills and the valleys (1 Kings 20:28).
  • Seeking Wisdom Beyond Human Strategy: While human strategy is important, the narrative cautions against relying solely on human strength or cunning without acknowledging a higher power or seeking divine guidance, especially in spiritual battles.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • 2 Kings 14:8 (3 votes)

    ¶ Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.

  • 2 Kings 14:12 (3 votes)

    And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents.

  • 1 Samuel 17:44 (2 votes)

    And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

  • 1 Samuel 2:3 (2 votes)

    Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let [not] arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD [is] a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

  • 1 Samuel 2:4 (2 votes)

    The bows of the mighty men [are] broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

  • 1 Samuel 14:11 (2 votes)

    And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.

  • 1 Samuel 14:12 (2 votes)

    And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.