John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together , etc.] This was Benhadad the second, the son of that Benhadad, to whom Asa sent to help him against Baasha, ( 1 Kings 15:18) and there were thirty and two kings with him ; these were heads of families, so called, and at most governors of cities under Benhadad; petty princes, such as were in the land of Canaan in Joshua’s time: and horses and chariots ; how many is not said: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it ; he went up with such an intent, but had not as yet done it in form; what moved him to it cannot be said precisely, whether an ambitious view of enlarging his dominions, or because the king of Israel paid not the tribute his father had imposed upon him, (see 1 Kings 20:34), however, so it was, through the providence of God, as a scourge to Ahab for his impiety.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgracefu submission; sin brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us, our enemies shall: guil dispirits men, and makes them cowards. Ahab became desperate. Men wil part with their most pleasant things, those they most love, to sav their lives; yet they lose their souls rather than part with an pleasure or interest to prevent it. Here is one of the wisest saying that ever Ahab spake, and it is a good lesson to all. It is folly to boast of any day to come, since we know not what it may bring forth Apply it to our spiritual conflicts. Peter fell by self-confidence Happy is the man who is never off his watch.
Original Hebrew ובן הדד1130 מלך4428 ארם758 קבץ6908 את853 כל3605 חילו2426 ושׁלשׁים7970 ושׁנים8147 מלך4428 אתו854 וסוס5483 ורכב7393 ויעל5927 ויצר6696 על5921 שׁמרון8111 וילחם׃3898
