Bible Commentaries

Ben-hadad. Perhaps the son of the Ben-hadad of 1 Kings 15:18.

host = force.

thirty and two. Probably vassal princes. Compare 1 Kings 20:24.

said. A special various reading (Sevir, App-34) reads "they said".

children = sons.

search: as from the top: i.e. ransack.

Let not him. Figure of speech Paroemia. App-6.

message = word. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the message contained.

pavilions = tents.

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

Hast. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

young men = the servants, or esquires.

return of the year: the spring. Compare 2 Samuel 11:1.

captains = governors, or pashas.

Aphek. Probably east of the Sea of Galilee.

were numbered = enrolled themselves. flocks = newborn kids. Hebrew. hasaph. Occurs only here.

man of God = a prophet. See App-49.

ye shall know. Septuagint reads "so shalt thou know". Compare 1 Kings 20:13 above.

me = my soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

brother: i.e. a brother-king.

did diligently observe. Hebrew divined and hasted. Figure of speech Hendiadys (App-6) = quickly divined.

any thing would come. These italics are wrongly supplied, not knowing the two readings of E. and W. recensions, caused by a different division of words. The E. recension reads "and they pressed [to find out] whether it was from him and said". The W. recension reads" and they pressed it out from him, and they said": i.e. they wanted to know whether he confirmed the word of his own accord.

streets = broad ways, or bazaars.

as = according as.

said. Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6) to be supplied by repetition from previous clause.

man. Hebrew. ish. Josephus identifies him with Micaiah (1 Kings 22:8).

ashes, &c. = bandage. inheritance).

Jezreel. In the plain of Esdraelon.