1 kings 20:30 - But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand men who were left. Ben Hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner room.
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What does "1 kings 20:30" mean?
This verse describes the aftermath of a battle between the Israelites and the Arameans (Syrians), led by King Ben-Hadad. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city;": After a significant defeat (described earlier in the chapter), the remaining Aramean soldiers tried to seek refuge in the city of Aphek. Aphek was likely a fortified city, a place they hoped to defend.
"and the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand men who were left.": This is the most striking part of the verse. A devastating catastrophe befell the fleeing Arameans. The city wall of Aphek, where they sought safety, collapsed, killing a massive number of them – 27,000. This could be interpreted as:
Divine intervention: Many biblical accounts attribute events like this to God's direct involvement in the battle, punishing the enemies of Israel.
Natural disaster: It's possible the wall was already in disrepair, and the weight of the retreating soldiers caused it to collapse.
Exaggeration for emphasis: Ancient warfare accounts often inflate numbers to highlight the magnitude of victory or defeat. Regardless of the precise number, the collapse was clearly a significant blow to the Aramean army.
"Ben Hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner room.": King Ben-Hadad himself managed to escape the battlefield and sought refuge in Aphek, but he didn't find safety in the public areas. He retreated to an "inner room" - likely the innermost and most secure part of the palace or a fortified building within the city - highlighting his fear and desperation.
In essence, the verse illustrates:
The utter defeat of the Aramean army: The loss was not only on the battlefield but continued during their retreat.
The apparent power or favor of the Israelite God: If you are a believer, the wall collapse might be considered divine intervention.
Ben-Hadad's diminished authority and vulnerability: He is now a fugitive in his own city, reduced to hiding in a secure room.
The verse sets the stage for the next part of the narrative, which will likely detail what happens to Ben-Hadad and the consequences of this devastating defeat.
1 kings 20:30 - But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand men who were left. Ben Hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner room.
What does "1 kings 20:30" mean?
This verse describes the aftermath of a battle between the Israelites and the Arameans (Syrians), led by King Ben-Hadad. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city;": After a significant defeat (described earlier in the chapter), the remaining Aramean soldiers tried to seek refuge in the city of Aphek. Aphek was likely a fortified city, a place they hoped to defend.
"and the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand men who were left.": This is the most striking part of the verse. A devastating catastrophe befell the fleeing Arameans. The city wall of Aphek, where they sought safety, collapsed, killing a massive number of them – 27,000. This could be interpreted as:
Divine intervention: Many biblical accounts attribute events like this to God's direct involvement in the battle, punishing the enemies of Israel.
Natural disaster: It's possible the wall was already in disrepair, and the weight of the retreating soldiers caused it to collapse.
Exaggeration for emphasis: Ancient warfare accounts often inflate numbers to highlight the magnitude of victory or defeat. Regardless of the precise number, the collapse was clearly a significant blow to the Aramean army.
"Ben Hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner room.": King Ben-Hadad himself managed to escape the battlefield and sought refuge in Aphek, but he didn't find safety in the public areas. He retreated to an "inner room" - likely the innermost and most secure part of the palace or a fortified building within the city - highlighting his fear and desperation.
In essence, the verse illustrates:
The utter defeat of the Aramean army: The loss was not only on the battlefield but continued during their retreat.
The apparent power or favor of the Israelite God: If you are a believer, the wall collapse might be considered divine intervention.
Ben-Hadad's diminished authority and vulnerability: He is now a fugitive in his own city, reduced to hiding in a secure room.
The verse sets the stage for the next part of the narrative, which will likely detail what happens to Ben-Hadad and the consequences of this devastating defeat.