1 Kings 22:31

Verse

Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.”

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

Now the king of Aram had given orders to the thirty-two captains of his war-carriages, saying, Make no attack on small or great, but only on the king of Israel.

Free Bible Version

The king of Aram had already given these orders to his chariot commanders: “Head straight for the king of Israel alone. Don't fight with anyone else, whoever they are.”

Geneva Bible 1599

And the King of Aram commanded his two and thirtie captaines ouer his charets, saying, Fight neither with small, nor great, saue onely against the King of Israel.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

The King of Syria told this to his thirty-two men who were driving the chariots: “Attack only the king of Israel!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Now the king of Aram had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, saying, “Do not attack unimportant or important soldiers. Instead, attack only the king of Israel.”

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

Now the king of Syria had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, saying, “Don’t fight with small nor great, except only with the king of Israel.”

Young's Literal Translation

And the king of Aram commanded the heads of the charioteers whom he hath — thirty and two — saying, 'Ye do not fight with small or with great, but with the king of Israel by himself.'

Context

Ahab’s Defeat and Death

³⁰And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.³¹Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.”

Summary

This verse describes the deceptive strategy of King Ahab of Israel, who disguised himself in battle while instructing King Jehoshaphat of Judah to wear his royal robes. Ahab's intention was to avoid being targeted by the enemy, while Jehoshaphat was left vulnerable due to his conspicuous attire. This incident illustrates the consequences of deceit and manipulation, as Ahab's plan ultimately led to his own demise despite his efforts to protect himself. It serves as a cautionary tale against dishonesty and the dangers of relying on cunning schemes rather than trusting in God for protection and guidance.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the battle increased that day,.... It went on, and did not stop upon Ahab's going out of the host, but was very hot, and both sides fought furiously: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians: the Targum is, "he strengthened himself, and stood;'' he exerted himself to the uttermost, and stood as long as he could, or could be supported, fighting against the Syrians, to animate his army, and that the Syrians might not have any notion of his being wounded: and died at even: in his chariot: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot; or "bosom" (t) of it, the hollow part of it. (t) "ad sinum", Montanus; "in sinum", Vatablus.

1 Kings 22:31

Ahab’s Defeat and Death

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.”

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

Now the king of Aram had given orders to the thirty-two captains of his war-carriages, saying, Make no attack on small or great, but only on the king of Israel.

Free Bible Version

The king of Aram had already given these orders to his chariot commanders: “Head straight for the king of Israel alone. Don't fight with anyone else, whoever they are.”

Geneva Bible 1599

And the King of Aram commanded his two and thirtie captaines ouer his charets, saying, Fight neither with small, nor great, saue onely against the King of Israel.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

The King of Syria told this to his thirty-two men who were driving the chariots: “Attack only the king of Israel!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Now the king of Aram had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, saying, “Do not attack unimportant or important soldiers. Instead, attack only the king of Israel.”

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

Now the king of Syria had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, saying, “Don’t fight with small nor great, except only with the king of Israel.”

Young's Literal Translation

And the king of Aram commanded the heads of the charioteers whom he hath — thirty and two — saying, 'Ye do not fight with small or with great, but with the king of Israel by himself.'