And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.

1 KINGS 20:1KJV
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1 Kings 20:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 20:1 mean?

1 Kings 20:1 describes how Benhadad, the king of Syria, gathered a large army—including thirty-two allied kings, horses, and chariots—and marched to besiege the city of Samaria, launching an attack against it. The verse sets the stage for a major conflict between Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel.

This verse introduces Benhadad as the main antagonist, showing his power by listing his allies and military strength. The action takes place in Samaria, the capital of Israel, and the word "besieged" signals a serious threat: Benhadad’s forces surrounded the city, cutting it off and preparing for war. This opening sets up the dramatic events that will follow in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 20:1

  • בֶּן־הֲדַד (Benhadad): This name means "son of Hadad," with Hadad being a Syrian storm god. The name hints at Benhadad’s royal and possibly religious authority in Syria.
  • צָבָא (tsava, "host"): This word means a military force or army. The use of "host" emphasizes the scale and organization of Benhadad’s forces.
  • מָלַךְ (melek, "king"): The mention of thirty-two "kings" likely refers to local rulers or vassals allied with Benhadad, not just independent monarchs. This detail highlights the coalition nature of the invading force.
  • סָבַב (sabab, "besieged"): To "besiege" means to surround a city to cut it off and force surrender. The term shows that Benhadad’s intent was not just to threaten but to conquer Samaria.

Why 1 Kings 20:1 matters

  • The verse makes clear that Israel faced a powerful, united enemy, not just a single nation but a coalition, which raises the stakes for what follows.
  • By naming Samaria, the verse reminds readers that the capital—and thus the heart of Israel’s leadership and people—was under direct threat.
  • This opening sets up a story about conflict, power, and deliverance that will unfold in the rest of the chapter, helping readers understand the seriousness of the situation Israel faced.

Where else these words appear

“Benhadad” Hebrew H1130 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Kings 15:18 Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
  • 1 Kings 20:17 And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Benhadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria.
  • 2 Kings 8:9 So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?

“besieged” Hebrew H6696 · used in 38 verses

  • Exodus 23:22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.
  • 1 Kings 15:27 And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.
  • Esther 8:11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,

“Samaria” Hebrew H8111 · used in 101 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
  • 2 Kings 13:1 In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.

“chariots” Hebrew H7393 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
  • 1 Kings 10:26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
  • 2 Chronicles 12:3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.