1 Kings 20:14
1 Kings 20:14 in Multiple Translations
“By whom?” Ahab asked. And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: ‘By the young officers of the district governors.’” “Who will start the battle?” asked Ahab. “You will,” answered the prophet.
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith Jehovah, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, Thou.
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, The Lord says, By the servants of the chiefs who are over the divisions of the land. Then he said, By whom is the fighting to be started? And he made answer, By you.
“But who's going to do this?” Ahab asked. The prophet answered, “This is what the Lord says: It will be the young officers under the district commanders.” “And who's going to start the battle?” he asked. The prophet replied, “You are!”
And Ahab sayd, By whome? And he sayde, Thus sayth the Lord, By the seruants of the princes of the prouinces. He sayde againe, Who shall order the battel? And he answered, Thou.
And Ahab saith, 'By whom?' and he saith, 'Thus said Jehovah, By the young men of the heads of the provinces;' and he saith, 'Who doth direct the battle?' and he saith, 'Thou.'
Ahab said, “By whom?” He said, “The LORD says, ‘By the young men of the princes of the provinces.’” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” He answered, “You.”
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.
And Achab said: By whom? And he said to him: Thus saith the Lord: By the servants of the princes of the provinces. And he said: Who shall begin to fight? And he said: Thou.
Ahab asked, “What group of our army will defeat them?” The prophet replied, “The young soldiers who are commanded by the district governors will do it.” The king asked, “Who should lead the attack?” The prophet replied, “You should!”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 20:14
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1 Kings 20:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 20:14
Study Notes — 1 Kings 20:14
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 20:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 20:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 20:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:14
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:14
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 20:14
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 20:14
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:14
- Sermons on 1 Kings 20:14
Context — Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad
14“By whom?” Ahab asked. And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: ‘By the young officers of the district governors.’” “Who will start the battle?” asked Ahab. “You will,” answered the prophet.
15So Ahab assembled the young officers of the district governors, and there were 232 men. And after them, he assembled the rest of the Israelite troops, 7,000 in all. 16They marched out at noon while Ben-hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 17:50 | Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. |
| 2 | Genesis 14:14–16 | And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He retrieved all the goods, as well as his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the rest of the people. |
| 3 | 1 Kings 18:44 | On the seventh time the servant reported, “There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.” And Elijah replied, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’” |
| 4 | Judges 7:16–20 | And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each man a ram’s horn in one hand and a large jar in the other, containing a torch. “Watch me and do as I do,” Gideon said. “When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our horns, then you are also to blow your horns from all around the camp and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon!’” Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands. The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” |
| 5 | 1 Corinthians 1:27–29 | But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast in His presence. |
1 Kings 20:14 Summary
[This verse shows that God can use anyone to accomplish His purposes, even the youngest or least experienced among us. Ahab's question about who would start the battle reveals his lack of faith, but the prophet's response encourages him to trust in God's power. As seen in verses like Jeremiah 29:11, God has a plan to prosper and not harm us, and we can trust in His goodness and sovereignty. By trusting in God, we can, like Ahab, be used by Him to accomplish great things, as stated in Ephesians 3:20.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the young officers of the district governors will be used by God to defeat the enemy?
This shows that God can use anyone, regardless of their position or status, to accomplish His purposes, just as He used Gideon and his small army to defeat the Midianites in Judges 7:1-25.
Why did Ahab ask who would start the battle?
Ahab's question reveals his lack of faith and trust in God's power, as seen in other instances such as 1 Kings 21:25, where he follows after idols.
What is the significance of the prophet's response that Ahab will start the battle?
The prophet's response emphasizes Ahab's role as the king and leader of Israel, and his responsibility to trust and obey God, as stated in Deuteronomy 17:18-20, which instructs kings to follow God's law.
How does this verse relate to the concept of faith and trust in God?
This verse highlights the importance of faith and trust in God, as Ahab is called to trust in God's power and provision, rather than his own strength or abilities, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's power and provision, rather than my own strength or abilities?
- How can I, like Ahab, be tempted to rely on my own understanding or abilities, rather than trusting in God's plan and purpose?
- What are some ways that God has used unexpected or unlikely people or circumstances to accomplish His purposes in my life or in the lives of others?
- How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 20:14
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 20:14
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:14
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:14
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:14
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:14
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 20:14
Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 20:14
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:14
Sermons on 1 Kings 20:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Genesis #13 Ch. 14-15 Contrast of Abraham and Lot by Chuck Missler | In this sermon on Genesis chapters 14 and 15, Chuck Misler explores the relationship between Abraham and Lot. He introduces the concept of the law of first mention, which suggests |
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(Genesis) Genesis 13:14-18 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on God's appearance to Abram and the promise of land and offspring. God instructs Abram to look in all directions and confirms that he will giv |
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Where Would You Pitch Your Tent? by Percy Ray | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of believing and following the word of God without being influenced by those who try to undermine it. He encourages the congr |
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Training in the House of God (Genesis 14:14) by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes that the House of God serves as a training ground for believers, akin to Abram's trained men who were prepared for spiritual warfare. He highlights that |
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The Ministry of Melchizedek by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen preaches on the priesthood of Melchizedek, highlighting how Melchizedek knew God intimately and blessed Abraham with a prophetic word that saved him from pride and covet |
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(The Full Gospel) 22. the Ministry of Melchizedek by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen preaches on the priesthood of Melchizedek, emphasizing the importance of quietly blessing others without seeking recognition or honor. He highlights how Melchizedek met |
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Truly, Thou Art a God Who Hides Thyself by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen preaches on the characteristic of God's nature to work without seeking recognition, using the example of Melchizedek who quietly blessed Abraham without seeking any cred |





