New International Version “But who will do this?” asked Ahab. The prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: ‘The junior officers under the provincial commanders will do it.’” “And who will start the battle?” he asked. The prophet answered, “You will.” New Living Translation Ahab asked, “How will he do it?” And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: The troops of the provincial commanders will do it.” “Should we attack first?” Ahab asked. “Yes,” the prophet answered. English Standard Version And Ahab said, “By whom?” He said, “Thus says the LORD, By the servants of the governors of the districts.” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” He answered, “You.” Berean Standard Bible “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. Berean Literal Bible And Ahab said, “By whom?” And he said, “Thus says YHWH: ‘By the young men of the commanders of the provinces.’” And he said, “Who will direct the battle?” And he answered, “You.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version So Ahab said, “By whom?” And he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘By the young leaders of the provinces.’ ” Then he said, “Who will set the battle in order?” And he answered, “You.” New American Standard Bible But Ahab said, “By whom?” So he said, “The LORD says this: ‘By the young men of the leaders of the provinces.’” Then he said, “Who will begin the battle?” And he said, “You will.” NASB 1995 Ahab said, “By whom?” So he said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘By the young men of the rulers of the provinces.’” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” And he answered, “You.” NASB 1977 And Ahab said, “By whom?” So he said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘By the young men of the rulers of the provinces.’” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” And he answered, “You.” Legacy Standard Bible And Ahab said, “By whom?” So he said, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘By the young men of the rulers of the provinces.’” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” And he said, “You.” Amplified Bible Ahab said, “By whom?” And he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘By the young men [the attendants or bodyguards] of the governors of the districts.’” Then Ahab said, “Who shall begin the battle?” And he answered, “You.” Berean Annotated Bible “By whom? Ahab (father's brother) asked. And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD {YHWH} says: ‘By the young officers of the district governors. “Who will start the battle? asked Ahab. “You will, answered the prophet. Christian Standard Bible Ahab asked, “By whom? ” And the prophet said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘By the young men of the provincial leaders.’ ” Then he asked, “Who is to start the battle? ” He said, “You.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Ahab asked, “By whom?” And the prophet said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘By the young men of the provincial leaders.’” Then he asked, “Who is to start the battle?” He said, “You.” American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version "Who will fight the battle?" Ahab asked. The prophet answered, "The young bodyguards who serve the district officials." "But who will lead them into battle?" Ahab asked. "You will!" the prophet replied. English Revised Version And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, Thou. GOD'S WORD® Translation Ahab asked, "How [will this be done]?" The prophet answered, "This is what the LORD says: by using the young officers of the district governors." "Who will start the battle?" Ahab asked. "You will," the prophet answered. Good News Translation "Who will lead the attack?" Ahab asked. The prophet answered, "The LORD says that the young soldiers under the command of the district governors are to do it." "Who will command the main force?" the king asked. "You," the prophet answered. International Standard Version "By whom?" Ahab asked. "This is what the LORD says," the prophet replied. "'By the young men who serve as officials within the provinces.'" "Who is to begin the battle?" Ahab asked. "You," the prophet answered. NET Bible Ahab asked, "By whom will this be accomplished?" He answered, "This is what the LORD says, 'By the servants of the district governors.'" Ahab asked, "Who will launch the attack?" He answered, "You will." New Heart English Bible Ahab said, "By whom?" He said, "Thus says the LORD, 'By the young men of the governors of the districts.'" Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" He answered, "You." Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“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. World English Bible Ahab said, “By whom?” He said, “Yahweh says, ‘By the young men of the princes of the provinces.’” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” He answered, “You.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Ahab says, “By whom?” And he says, “Thus said YHWH: By the young men of the heads of the provinces”; and he says, “Who directs the battle?” And he says, “You.” Berean Literal Bible And Ahab said, “By whom?” And he said, “Thus says YHWH: ‘By the young men of the commanders of the provinces.’” And he said, “Who will direct the battle?” And he answered, “You.” Young's Literal Translation 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.' Smith's Literal Translation And Ahab will say, By whom? And he will say, Thus said Jehovah, By the boys of the chiefs of the provinces. And he will say, Who shall bind the war? And he will say, Thou. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd 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. Catholic Public Domain Version And Ahab said, “By whom?” And he said to him: “Thus says the Lord: By the footmen of the leaders of the provinces.” And he said, “Who should begin to do battle?” And he said, “You should.” New American Bible But Ahab asked, “Through whom will it be given over?” He answered, “The LORD says, Through the aides of the provincial governors.” Then Ahab asked, “Who is to attack?” He replied, “You are.” New Revised Standard Version Ahab said, “By whom?” He said, “Thus says the LORD, By the young men who serve the district governors.” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” He answered, “You.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Ahab said, By whom? And he said to him, By the young men and by the princes of the city. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, You. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Akhab said: “By whom?” And he said to him: “By the young men and by the Princes of the city.” And he said to him: who will first set the battle in array? He said to him: “You.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Ahab said: 'By whom?' And he said: 'Thus saith the LORD: By the young men of the princes of the provinces.' Then he said: 'Who shall begin the battle?' And he answered: 'Thou.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Achaab said, Whereby? And he said, Thus saith the Lord, by the young men of the heads of the districts. And Achaab said, Who shall begin the battle? and he said, Thou. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad13Meanwhile a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this entire great army? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this very day, and you will know that I am the LORD.’ ” 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.… Cross References “By whom?” Ahab asked. Judges 1:1 After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the LORD, “Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?” 1 Samuel 14:37 So Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But God did not answer him that day. 1 Samuel 30:8 and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.” And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: 2 Kings 19:20 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria. 1 Samuel 2:27 Then a man of God came to Eli and told him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh’s house? Jeremiah 2:2 “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. ‘By the young officers of the district governors.’” Judges 7:2-7 Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ / Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. / Then the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go. But if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” … 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.” “Who will start the battle?” asked Ahab. 1 Samuel 14:12 So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up, and we will teach you a lesson!” “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” 2 Samuel 5:19 So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” 2 Samuel 5:23-25 So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. / As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” / So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. “You will,” answered the prophet. Joshua 1:5-9 No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. / Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them. / Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. … Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Exodus 3:12 “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.” Judges 7:7 Then the LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men who lapped the water I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hand. But all the others are to go home.” Treasury of Scripture And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus said the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, You. Ben-hadad 1 Kings 20:11,12 And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off… 1 Kings 16:7 And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him. Proverbs 23:29-32 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? … the thirty Isaiah 54:15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. Jump to Previous Ahab Battle Begin Chiefs Commanders Direct Districts Divisions Fighting Governors Heads Officers Order Princes Prophet Provinces Provincial Rulers Servants Started YoungJump to Next Ahab Battle Begin Chiefs Commanders Direct Districts Divisions Fighting Governors Heads Officers Order Princes Prophet Provinces Provincial Rulers Servants Started Young1 Kings 20 1. Ben-Hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria13. By the direction of a prophet, the Syrians are slain 22. As the prophet forewarned Ahab, the Syrians come against him in Aphek 28. By the word of the prophet, and God's judgment, the Syrians are smitten again 31. The Syrians submit; Ahab sends Ben-Hadad away with a covenant 35. The prophet, under the parable of a prisoner, 39. making Ahab judge himself, denounces God's judgment against him “By whom?” Ahab asked. Facing Ben-hadad’s larger Syrian army, Ahab sought the LORD’s direction through a prophet. Though Ahab had long promoted idolatry, God gave Israel instruction and an opportunity to recognize His authority. Jdg 1:1 After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired… And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: The prophet delivered God’s command, not personal military advice. Israel’s coming victory would depend on the LORD’s purpose rather than Ahab’s strength or strategy. 2Ki 19:20 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah:… ‘By the young officers of the district governors.’” God chose the servants of the provincial rulers to lead the attack. Their small and unlikely force would make clear that Israel’s success came from the LORD. Jdg 7:2-7 Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men… “Who will start the battle?” asked Ahab. Ahab needed to know who would take responsibility for initiating the attack against the Syrians. 1Sa 14:12 So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and… “You will,” answered the prophet. Ahab himself was to lead the action. God promised victory, but the king still had to obey the command and act on it. Jos 1:5-9 No one shall stand against you all the days of your life.… Persons / Places / Events 1. AhabThe king of Israel, known for his idolatry and marriage to Jezebel. He is a central figure in this passage, seeking guidance for battle. 2. The Prophet An unnamed prophet who delivers God's message to Ahab, indicating divine intervention and guidance in the battle against the Arameans. 3. Young Officers of the District Governors These are the individuals chosen by God to lead the battle, highlighting God's unconventional choice of leaders. 4. The LORD The God of Israel, who provides direction and assurance of victory, demonstrating His sovereignty and involvement in Israel's affairs. 5. The Battle The impending conflict between Israel and the Arameans, where God promises victory through unexpected means. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in LeadershipGod often chooses unexpected leaders to fulfill His purposes, reminding us that His ways are higher than ours. Faith in Divine Guidance Like Ahab, we must seek and trust God's guidance in our battles, knowing that He has a plan for victory. Obedience to God's Commands Ahab's willingness to follow the prophet's instructions demonstrates the importance of obedience in achieving God's plans. God's Power in Weakness The choice of young officers highlights that God can use anyone, regardless of status or experience, to accomplish His will. Initiating Action with Faith Ahab's question, "Who will start the battle?" and the prophet's response, "You will," teaches us to take initiative in faith when God directs us. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 20:14?2. How does 1 Kings 20:14 demonstrate God's sovereignty in Israel's battles? 3. What role does faith play in the young officers' leadership in 1 Kings 20:14? 4. How can we apply God's guidance in 1 Kings 20:14 to our decisions? 5. Compare God's strategy in 1 Kings 20:14 with other biblical battles. 6. How does 1 Kings 20:14 encourage trusting God's plans over human wisdom? 7. How does 1 Kings 20:14 demonstrate God's sovereignty in battle decisions? 8. Why does God choose a young officer to lead in 1 Kings 20:14? 9. What does 1 Kings 20:14 reveal about God's methods of delivering His people? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 20? (14) Who shall order the battle?--The marginal reading seems right, "Who shall give battle?" "Who shall begin the fray?"Verse 14. - And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the Lord [Observe the repetition. He is careful to give special prominence to the sacred name, as the only help in trouble (Psalm 20:1, 5, 7, etc.)], Even by the young men [or servants - נַעַר has both meanings, corresponding with παῖς (cf. Genesis 37:2; 2 Kings 5:20; 2 Kings 8:4] of the princes of the provinces. [The local governors (cf. 1 Kings 4:7; 1 Kings 10:15), on the approach of Ben hadad, had apparently fled to the capital. Whether these "young men" were their "pages" (Thenius), or even were "young lads" (Ewald) at all, or, on the contrary, a "select body of strong young men" (Bahr), the bodyguard of the various governors (2 Samuel 18:15) (Von Gerlach), may be doubtful; but when Bahr says that Ahab would not have consented to appoint weak boys to lead the van, at least without remonstrance, he must have forgotten that all the ordinary means at Ahab's disposal were equally insufficient, and that in themselves 200 or 2000 tried veterans would have been just as inadequate a force as 200 pages. The agency by which the victory was won was purposely weak and feeble (per turbam imbellem), in order that the work might be seen to be of God (cf. Judges 7:2; 1 Corinthians 1:27, 29). And this consideration makes against the supposition that the attacking body was composed of tried and skilful warriors.] Then he said, Who shall order [Heb. bind; we speak of "joining battle"] the battle? [The meaning is - not, "who shall command this force," but, "which side shall begin the fray?"] And he answered, Thou [i.e., thy band of young men shall make the attack.] 1 Kings 20:14 presents a concise battle plan from heaven: God chooses the unlikely (young officers) and commands the leader himself (Ahab) to take the first step. The passage teaches that victory flows from divine instruction, humble dependence, and courageous obedience. When God speaks, He supplies both the means and the mandate—our part is to listen and move forward in faith. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “By whom?”בְּמִ֔י (bə·mî) Preposition-b | Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix Ahab אַחְאָב֙ (’aḥ·’āḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 256: Ahab -- 'father's brother', a king of Israel, also a false prophet asked. וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say And the prophet replied, וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “This is what כֹּֽה־ (kōh-) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel says: אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘By the young officers בְּנַעֲרֵ֖י (bə·na·‘ă·rê) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer of the district הַמְּדִינ֑וֹת (ham·mə·ḏî·nō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 4082: A judgeship, jurisdiction, a district, a region governors.’” שָׂרֵ֣י (śā·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince “Who מִֽי־ (mî-) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix will start יֶאְסֹ֥ר (ye’·sōr) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 631: To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle the battle?” הַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה (ham·mil·ḥā·māh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4421: A battle, war asked [Ahab]. וַיֹּ֛אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “You [will],” אָֽתָּה׃ (’āt·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you answered the prophet. וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say Additonal Resources 1 Kings 20:14 Blue Letter Bible1 Kings 20:14 Bible Gateway 1 Kings 20:14 Bible.com 1 Kings 20:14 NIV |
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