And number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot: and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.

1 KINGS 20:25KJV
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1 Kings 20:25 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 20:25 mean?

1 Kings 20:25 describes how Ben-Hadad’s advisors tell him to rebuild his army, matching the size and equipment of the one he lost, and to fight Israel again on different ground, believing this will give them the advantage. Ben-Hadad listens to their advice and follows their plan.

In this verse, Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram (Syria), is being counseled after a defeat by Israel. His officials suggest that the previous loss was due to the location of the battle, so they recommend assembling a new army—matching horse for horse and chariot for chariot—and fighting Israel on the plains instead of the hills. The verse shows Ben-Hadad agreeing to this strategy and acting on it.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 20:25

  • "army" (חַיִל, ḥayil): This word means a force or army, but it can also carry the sense of strength or capability. The advisors are telling Ben-Hadad to rebuild not just the numbers but the strength and quality of his forces.
  • "lost" (נָפַל, naphal): This word means "to fall" or "to be lost." It emphasizes that the previous army was not just defeated but had fallen in battle, highlighting the need for a complete replacement.
  • "plain" (מִישׁוֹר, mishor): This word means a level place or plain. The advisors believe that fighting on flat land, rather than the hills, will give them an advantage, possibly because their chariots and cavalry would be more effective there.
  • "stronger" (חָזַק, chazaq): This word means "to be strong" or "to prevail." The advisors are confident that changing the location will make them stronger than Israel.

Why 1 Kings 20:25 matters

  • This verse shows the practical military thinking of the time, where terrain was seen as a crucial factor in battle outcomes, especially for armies relying on horses and chariots.
  • The advice to match "horse for horse, and chariot for chariot" highlights the importance placed on military parity and the belief that numbers and equipment could determine victory.
  • The verse connects to the larger narrative by setting up the next confrontation between Aram and Israel, showing that Ben-Hadad’s defeat did not end the conflict but led to a new strategy and renewed hostilities.

Where else these words appear

“plain” Hebrew H4334 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:10 All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
  • 1 Kings 20:23 And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.
  • Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

“against” Hebrew H854 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
  • Genesis 19:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.
  • Exodus 39:3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

“number” Hebrew H4487 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:17 And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.
  • Isaiah 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.

“chariot” 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.