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It happened, when [Ben-hadad] heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, Set [yourselves in array]. They set [themselves in array] against the city.

Verse Takeaways

1

Pride and Drunken Arrogance

Commentators emphasize that Ben-hadad was drinking heavily with his allied kings, a sign of intemperance and extreme overconfidence. John Gill notes this was likely early in the day. Matthew Henry connects this drunken pride directly to the king's downfall, explaining that his rash orders disordered his own troops, illustrating the biblical principle that pride comes before a fall.

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Book Overview

1 Kings

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Commentaries

4

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On 1 Kings 20:12

18th Century

Theologian

Pavilions - “Booths” (Genesis 33:17 (margin); Leviticus 23:42; Jonah 4:5). The term seems to be properly a…

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon

On 1 Kings 20:12–15

19th Century

Preacher

All the volunteers who were ready for the war—they were only seven thousand.

John Gill

John Gill

On 1 Kings 20:12

17th Century

Pastor

And it came to pass, when Benhadad heard this message (as he
was drinking, he and the kings in the pavil…

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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On 1 Kings 20:12–21

17th Century

Minister

The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and preven…