Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, October 7th, 2025
the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
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Bible in Basic English
1 Kings 20:14
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, The Lord says, By the servants of the chiefs who are over the divisions of the land. Then he said, By whom is the fighting to be started? And he made answer, By you.
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Christian Standard Bible®
Ahab asked, “By whom?”
Ahab asked, “By whom?”
Hebrew Names Version
Ach'av said, By whom? He said, Thus says the LORD, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? He answered, You.
Ach'av said, By whom? He said, Thus says the LORD, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? He answered, You.
King James Version
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the Lord , Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the Lord , Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.
English Standard Version
And Ahab said, "By whom?" He said, "Thus says the Lord , By the servants of the governors of the districts." Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" He answered, "You."
And Ahab said, "By whom?" He said, "Thus says the Lord , By the servants of the governors of the districts." Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" He answered, "You."
New Century Version
Ahab asked, "Who will you use to defeat them?" The prophet answered, "The Lord says, ‘The young officers of the district governors will defeat them.'" Then the king asked, "Who will command the main army?" The prophet answered, "You will."
Ahab asked, "Who will you use to defeat them?" The prophet answered, "The Lord says, ‘The young officers of the district governors will defeat them.'" Then the king asked, "Who will command the main army?" The prophet answered, "You will."
New English Translation
Ahab asked, "By whom will this be accomplished?" He answered, "This is what the Lord says, ‘By the servants of the district governors.'" Ahab asked, "Who will launch the attack?" He answered, "You will."
Ahab asked, "By whom will this be accomplished?" He answered, "This is what the Lord says, ‘By the servants of the district governors.'" Ahab asked, "Who will launch the attack?" He answered, "You will."
Amplified Bible
Ahab said, "By whom?" And he said, "Thus says the LORD: 'By the young men [the attendants or bodyguards] of the governors of the districts.'" Then Ahab said, "Who shall begin the battle?" And he answered, "You."
Ahab said, "By whom?" And he said, "Thus says the LORD: 'By the young men [the attendants or bodyguards] of the governors of the districts.'" Then Ahab said, "Who shall begin the battle?" And he answered, "You."
New American Standard Bible
But Ahab said, "By whom?" So he said, "The LORD says this: 'By the young men of the leaders of the provinces.'" Then he said, "Who will begin the battle?" And he said, "You will."
But Ahab said, "By whom?" So he said, "The LORD says this: 'By the young men of the leaders of the provinces.'" Then he said, "Who will begin the battle?" And he said, "You will."
Geneva Bible (1587)
And Ahab sayd, By whome? And he sayde, Thus sayth the Lord, By the seruants of the princes of the prouinces. He sayde againe, Who shall order the battel? And he answered, Thou.
And Ahab sayd, By whome? And he sayde, Thus sayth the Lord, By the seruants of the princes of the prouinces. He sayde againe, Who shall order the battel? And he answered, Thou.
Legacy Standard Bible
And Ahab said, "By whom?" So he said, "Thus says Yahweh, ‘By the young men of the rulers of the provinces.'" Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" And he said, "You."
And Ahab said, "By whom?" So he said, "Thus says Yahweh, ‘By the young men of the rulers of the provinces.'" Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" And he said, "You."
Contemporary English Version
"Who will fight the battle?" Ahab asked. The prophet answered, "The young bodyguards who serve the district officials." "But who will lead them into battle?" Ahab asked. "You will!" the prophet replied.
"Who will fight the battle?" Ahab asked. The prophet answered, "The young bodyguards who serve the district officials." "But who will lead them into battle?" Ahab asked. "You will!" the prophet replied.
Complete Jewish Bible
Ach'av asked, "Who will defeat them?" He answered, "This is what Adonai says: ‘The young men who serve the district governors.'" He asked, "Who will start the fighting?" and he answered, "You will."
Ach'av asked, "Who will defeat them?" He answered, "This is what Adonai says: ‘The young men who serve the district governors.'" He asked, "Who will start the fighting?" and he answered, "You will."
Darby Translation
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith Jehovah: By the servants of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he said, Thou.
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith Jehovah: By the servants of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he said, Thou.
Easy-to-Read Version
Ahab said, "Who will you use to defeat them?" The prophet answered, "The Lord says, ‘The young men who carry the weapons for the government officials.'" Then the king asked, "Who should command the main army?" The prophet answered, "You will."
Ahab said, "Who will you use to defeat them?" The prophet answered, "The Lord says, ‘The young men who carry the weapons for the government officials.'" Then the king asked, "Who should command the main army?" The prophet answered, "You will."
George Lamsa Translation
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said to him, By the young men and by the princes of the city. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, You.
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said to him, By the young men and by the princes of the city. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, You.
Good News Translation
"Who will lead the attack?" Ahab asked. The prophet answered, "The Lord says that the young soldiers under the command of the district governors are to do it." "Who will command the main force?" the king asked. "You," the prophet answered.
"Who will lead the attack?" Ahab asked. The prophet answered, "The Lord says that the young soldiers under the command of the district governors are to do it." "Who will command the main force?" the king asked. "You," the prophet answered.
Lexham English Bible
Ahab said, "By whom?" And he said, "Thus says Yahweh: ‘By the servants of the commanders of the provinces.'" He asked, "Who will begin the battle?" And he said, "You."
Ahab said, "By whom?" And he said, "Thus says Yahweh: ‘By the servants of the commanders of the provinces.'" He asked, "Who will begin the battle?" And he said, "You."
Literal Translation
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, So says Jehovah, by the young men of the rulers of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, You.
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, So says Jehovah, by the young men of the rulers of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, You.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Achab sayde: By whom? He sayde: Thus sayeth the LORDE: Euen by the yonge men of the rulers of the londe. He sayde: Who shal order the battayl? He sayde: Thou.
Achab sayde: By whom? He sayde: Thus sayeth the LORDE: Euen by the yonge men of the rulers of the londe. He sayde: Who shal order the battayl? He sayde: Thou.
American Standard Version
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith Jehovah, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, Thou.
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith Jehovah, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, Thou.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And Ahab sayd: By whom? He sayde: Thus sayth the Lorde, euen by the seruauntes of the gouernours of ye shyres. He sayd againe: who shall order the battayle? And he aunswered: Thou.
And Ahab sayd: By whom? He sayde: Thus sayth the Lorde, euen by the seruauntes of the gouernours of ye shyres. He sayd againe: who shall order the battayle? And he aunswered: Thou.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And Ahab said: 'By whom?' And he said: 'Thus saith the LORD: By the young men of the princes of the provinces.' Then he said: 'Who shall begin the battle?' And he answered: 'Thou.'
And Ahab said: 'By whom?' And he said: 'Thus saith the LORD: By the young men of the princes of the provinces.' Then he said: 'Who shall begin the battle?' And he answered: 'Thou.'
King James Version (1611)
And Ahab saide, By whom? and he saide, Thus saith the Lord, Euen by the young men of the Princes of the prouinces: Then he said, Who shall order the battell? And hee answered, Thou.
And Ahab saide, By whom? and he saide, Thus saith the Lord, Euen by the young men of the Princes of the prouinces: Then he said, Who shall order the battell? And hee answered, Thou.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And they sent to Jezabel, saying, Nabuthai is stoned, and is dead.
And they sent to Jezabel, saying, Nabuthai is stoned, and is dead.
English Revised Version
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, Thou.
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, Thou.
Berean Standard Bible
"By whom?" Ahab asked. And the prophet replied, "This is what the LORD says: 'By the young officers of the district governors.'" "Who will start the battle?" asked Ahab. "You will," answered the prophet.
"By whom?" Ahab asked. And the prophet replied, "This is what the LORD says: 'By the young officers of the district governors.'" "Who will start the battle?" asked Ahab. "You will," answered the prophet.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Achab seide, Bi whom? And he seide to Achab, The Lord seith these thingis, Bi the squyeris of the princes of prouynces. And Achab seide, Who schal bigynne to fiyte? And the prophete seide, Thou.
And Achab seide, Bi whom? And he seide to Achab, The Lord seith these thingis, Bi the squyeris of the princes of prouynces. And Achab seide, Who schal bigynne to fiyte? And the prophete seide, Thou.
Young's Literal Translation
And Ahab saith, `By whom?' and he saith, `Thus said Jehovah, By the young men of the heads of the provinces;' and he saith, `Who doth direct the battle?' and he saith, `Thou.'
And Ahab saith, `By whom?' and he saith, `Thus said Jehovah, By the young men of the heads of the provinces;' and he saith, `Who doth direct the battle?' and he saith, `Thou.'
Update Bible Version
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus says Yahweh, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, You.
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus says Yahweh, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, You.
Webster's Bible Translation
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, [Even] by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.
And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, [Even] by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.
World English Bible
Ahab said, By whom? He said, Thus says Yahweh, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? He answered, You.
Ahab said, By whom? He said, Thus says Yahweh, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? He answered, You.
New King James Version
So Ahab said, "By whom?" And he said, "Thus says the LORD: "By the young leaders of the provinces."' Then he said, "Who will set the battle in order?" And he answered, "You."
So Ahab said, "By whom?" And he said, "Thus says the LORD: "By the young leaders of the provinces."' Then he said, "Who will set the battle in order?" And he answered, "You."
New Living Translation
Ahab asked, "How will he do it?" And the prophet replied, "This is what the Lord says: The troops of the provincial commanders will do it." "Should we attack first?" Ahab asked. "Yes," the prophet answered.
Ahab asked, "How will he do it?" And the prophet replied, "This is what the Lord says: The troops of the provincial commanders will do it." "Should we attack first?" Ahab asked. "Yes," the prophet answered.
New Life Bible
Ahab said, "By whom?" So he told him, "The Lord says, ‘By the young servants of the leaders of the lands you rule.'" Then Ahab said, "Who will start the battle?" And he answered, "You."
Ahab said, "By whom?" So he told him, "The Lord says, ‘By the young servants of the leaders of the lands you rule.'" Then Ahab said, "Who will start the battle?" And he answered, "You."
New Revised Standard
Ahab said, "By whom?" He said, "Thus says the Lord , By the young men who serve the district governors." Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" He answered, "You."
Ahab said, "By whom?" He said, "Thus says the Lord , By the young men who serve the district governors." Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" He answered, "You."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And Ahab said - By whom? And he said - Thus, saith Yahweh, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then said he - Who shall begin the war? And he said - Thou!
And Ahab said - By whom? And he said - Thus, saith Yahweh, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then said he - Who shall begin the war? And he said - Thou!
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Achab said: By whom? And he said to him: Thus saith the Lord: By the servants of the princes of the provinces. And he said: Who shall begin to fight? And he said: Thou.
And Achab said: By whom? And he said to him: Thus saith the Lord: By the servants of the princes of the provinces. And he said: Who shall begin to fight? And he said: Thou.
Revised Standard Version
And Ahab said, "By whom?" He said, "Thus says the LORD, By the servants of the governors of the districts." Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" He answered, "You."
And Ahab said, "By whom?" He said, "Thus says the LORD, By the servants of the governors of the districts." Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" He answered, "You."
THE MESSAGE
Ahab said, "Really? And who is going to make this happen?" God said, "The young commandos of the regional chiefs." "And who," said Ahab, "will strike the first blow?" God said, "You."
Ahab said, "Really? And who is going to make this happen?" God said, "The young commandos of the regional chiefs." "And who," said Ahab, "will strike the first blow?" God said, "You."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Ahab said, "By whom?" So he said, "Thus says the LORD, 'By the young men of the rulers of the provinces.'" Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" And he answered, "You."
Ahab said, "By whom?" So he said, "Thus says the LORD, 'By the young men of the rulers of the provinces.'" Then he said, "Who shall begin the battle?" And he answered, "You."
Contextual Overview
12 Now when this answer was given to Ben-hadad, he was drinking with the kings in the tents, and he said to his men, Take up your positions. So they put themselves in position for attacking the town. 13 Then a prophet came up to Ahab, king of Israel, and said, The Lord says, Have you seen all this great army? See, I will give it into your hands today, and you will see that I am the Lord. 14 And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, The Lord says, By the servants of the chiefs who are over the divisions of the land. Then he said, By whom is the fighting to be started? And he made answer, By you. 15 Then he got together the servants of all the chiefs who were over the divisions of the land, two hundred and thirty-two of them; and after them, he got together all the people, all the children of Israel, seven thousand. 16 And in the middle of the day they went out. But Ben-hadad was drinking in the tents with the thirty-two kings who were helping him. 17 And the servants of the chiefs who were over the divisions of the land went forward first; and when Ben-hadad sent out, they gave him the news, saying, Men have come out from Samaria. 18 And he said, If they have come out for peace, take them living, and if they have come out for war, take them living. 19 So the servants of the chiefs of the divisions of the land went out of the town, with the army coming after them. 20 And every one of them put his man to death, and the Aramaeans went in flight with Israel after them; and Ben-hadad, king of Aram, got away safely on a horse with his horsemen. 21 And the king of Israel went out and took the horses and the war-carriages, and made great destruction among the Aramaeans.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
young men: or, servants, Genesis 14:14-16, Judges 7:16-20, 1 Samuel 17:50, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
order: Heb. bind, or tie, 1 Kings 18:44
Reciprocal: 1 Kings 20:17 - General 2 Kings 9:21 - Make ready 1 Corinthians 1:25 - the foolishness
Cross-References
Genesis 12:16
And because of her, he was good to Abram, and he had sheep and oxen and asses, and men-servants and women-servants, and camels.
And because of her, he was good to Abram, and he had sheep and oxen and asses, and men-servants and women-servants, and camels.
Genesis 20:2
And Abraham said of Sarah, his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent and took Sarah.
And Abraham said of Sarah, his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent and took Sarah.
Genesis 20:7
So now, give the man back his wife, for he is a prophet, and let him say a prayer for you, so your life may be safe: but if you do not give her back, be certain that death will come to you and all your house.
So now, give the man back his wife, for he is a prophet, and let him say a prayer for you, so your life may be safe: but if you do not give her back, be certain that death will come to you and all your house.
Genesis 20:11
And Abraham said, Because it seemed to me that there was no fear of God in this place, and that they might put me to death because of my wife.
And Abraham said, Because it seemed to me that there was no fear of God in this place, and that they might put me to death because of my wife.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And Ahab said, by whom?.... Knowing he had no army with him sufficient to go out with against the Syrian army:
and he said, thus saith the Lord, even by the young men of the princes of the provinces; either such, as Kimchi thinks, who were brought up with him; or, as others, the sons of governors of provinces, who were kept as hostages, that their fathers might not rebel; neither of which is likely: but rather the servants of such princes who waited on them, and lived delicately and at ease, and were not trained up to military exercise, even by these should the victory be obtained:
then he said, who shall order the battle? begin the attack, we or they? or who shall conduct it, or be the general of the army, go before it, and lead them on? Ahab might think, being an idolater, that the Lord would not make use of him, or otherwise who could be thought of but himself?
and he answered, thou; thou must be the commander, go forth with the army, and make the attack upon the enemy.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
The “princes of the provinces” are the governors of districts, many of whom may have fled to the capital, as the hostile army advanced through Galilee and northern Samaria. The “young men” are their attendants, youths unaccustomed to war.
Who shall order the battle? - i. e., “Who shal join battle, begin the attack? We or the enemy?” The reply was, that the Israelites were to attack.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 1 Kings 20:14. By the young men of the princes of the provinces. — These were probably some chosen persons out of the militia of different districts, raised by the princes of the provinces; the same as we would call lord-lieutenants of counties.
