1 Kings 20:16

Verse

They marched out at noon while Ben-hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk.

American Standard Version (1901)

And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

Bible in Basic English

And in the middle of the day they went out. But Ben-hadad was drinking in the tents with the thirty-two kings who were helping him.

Free Bible Version

They left at noon while Ben-hadad and the thirty-two kings with him were busy getting drunk in their tents.

Geneva Bible 1599

And they went out at noone: but Ben-hadad did drinke till he was drunken in the tentes, both he and the Kings: for two and thirtie Kings helped him.

King James (Authorized) Version

And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

Translation for Translators

They started to attack at noon, while Ben-Hadad and the other rulers were getting drunk in their temporary shelters.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They went out at noon. Ben Hadad had been drinking himself drunk in his tent, he and the thirty-two lesser kings who were supporting him.

Noah Webster Bible

And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

World English Bible

They went out at noon. But Ben Hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty-two kings who helped him.

Young's Literal Translation

and they go out at noon, and Ben-Hadad is drinking — drunk in the booths, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings, helping him.

Context

Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad

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. ¹⁷And the young officers of the district governors marched out first. Now Ben-hadad had sent out scouts, who reported to him, “Men are marching out of Samaria.”

Summary

In this verse, the king of Israel musters his army to go out against Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, who had gathered a large coalition of thirty-two kings to fight against Israel. This battle represents a significant military confrontation between the two kingdoms, showcasing the power dynamics and political tensions of the time. The verse sets the stage for the ensuing conflict and highlights the strategic and military preparations made by both sides in the impending war. It reveals the intensity of the situation and the high stakes involved in the outcome of this battle. Ultimately, this verse foreshadows the unfolding events that will determine the fate of the kingdoms involved.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And they went out at noon,.... From Samaria, the two hundred and thirty two young men, and the 7000 Israelites, openly, with great spirit and courage, fearless and undaunted; but it is not said that Ahab went out at the head of them; it seems as if he did not by what is said, Kg1 20:21, but Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions (or booths, or tents), he, and the kings, the thirty two kings that helped him; who either were his subjects, or his tributaries, or confederates; being secure, and having nothing to fear from Ahab, he and they gave themselves up to carousing and drinking, even at noon, and so destruction came upon them unawares, as on Belshazzar.

1 Kings 20:16

Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

They marched out at noon while Ben-hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk.

American Standard Version (1901)

And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

Bible in Basic English

And in the middle of the day they went out. But Ben-hadad was drinking in the tents with the thirty-two kings who were helping him.

Free Bible Version

They left at noon while Ben-hadad and the thirty-two kings with him were busy getting drunk in their tents.

Geneva Bible 1599

And they went out at noone: but Ben-hadad did drinke till he was drunken in the tentes, both he and the Kings: for two and thirtie Kings helped him.

King James (Authorized) Version

And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

Translation for Translators

They started to attack at noon, while Ben-Hadad and the other rulers were getting drunk in their temporary shelters.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They went out at noon. Ben Hadad had been drinking himself drunk in his tent, he and the thirty-two lesser kings who were supporting him.

Noah Webster Bible

And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

World English Bible

They went out at noon. But Ben Hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty-two kings who helped him.

Young's Literal Translation

and they go out at noon, and Ben-Hadad is drinking — drunk in the booths, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings, helping him.