And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
Behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab. Though the king and people of Israel had highly, offended Him, God had not utterly cast them off. He still cherished designs of mercy toward them, and here, though unasked, gave them a signal proof of His interest in them, by a prophet's animating announcement, that the Lord would that day deliver the mighty hosts of the enemy into his hands, by means of a small, feeble, inadequate band. Conformably to the prophet's instructions, 232 young men went boldly out toward the camp of the enemy, while 7,000 more, apparently volunteers, followed at some little distance, or posted themselves at the gate, to be ready to reinforce those in front, if occasion required it. Ben-hadad, with his vassals and princes, were already, at that early hour-scarcely mid-day-deep in their cups; and though informed of this advancing company yet, confiding in his numbers, or it may be, excited with wine, he ordered; with indifference, the proud intruders to be taken alive, whether they came with peaceable or hostile intentions. It was more easily said than done: the young men smote right and left, making terrible havoc among their intended captors, and their attack, together with the sight of the 7,000, who soon rushed forward to mingle in the fray, created a panic in the Syrian army, who immediately took to flight. Ben-hadad himself escaped the pursuit of his victors on a fleet horse, surrounded by a squadron of horse-guards. This glorious victory, won so easily, and with such a paltry force opposed to overwhelming numbers, was granted that Ahab and his people might know (1 Kings 20:13) that God is the Lord. But we do not read of this acknowledgment being made, or of any sacrifices being offered in token of their national gratitude. (See Pye Smith's 'Scripture Testimony,' p. 353.)