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Read the Bible
Contemporary English Version
1 Kings 20:14
"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.
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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."
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.
Bible in Basic English
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.
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.
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 Meanwhile, Benhadad and the other kings had been drinking in their tents. But when Ahab's reply came, he ordered his soldiers to prepare to attack Samaria, and they all got ready. 13 At that very moment, a prophet ran up to Ahab and said, "You can see that Benhadad's army is very strong. But the Lord has promised to help you defeat them today. Then you will know that the Lord is in control." 14 "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. 15 So Ahab called together the two hundred thirty-two young soldiers and the seven thousand troops in Israel's army, and he got them ready to fight the Syrians. 16At noon, King Ahab and his Israelite army marched out of Samaria, with the young soldiers in front. King Benhadad of Syria and the thirty-two kings with him were drunk when the scouts he had sent out ran up to his tent, shouting, "We just now saw soldiers marching out of Samaria!" 18 "Take them alive!" Benhadad ordered. "I don't care if they have come out to fight or to surrender." 19 The young soldiers led Israel's troops into battle, 20 and each of them attacked and killed an enemy soldier. The rest of the Syrian army turned and ran, and the Israelites went after them. Benhadad and some others escaped on horses, 21 but Ahab and his soldiers followed them and captured their horses and chariots. Ahab and Israel's army crushed the Syrians.
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
The king was good to Abram because of Sarai, and Abram was given sheep, cattle, donkeys, slaves, and camels.
The king was good to Abram because of Sarai, and Abram was given sheep, cattle, donkeys, slaves, and camels.
Genesis 20:2
he told everyone that his wife Sarah was his sister. So King Abimelech of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.
he told everyone that his wife Sarah was his sister. So King Abimelech of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.
Genesis 20:7
Her husband is a prophet. Let her go back to him, and his prayers will save you from death. But if you don't return her, you and all your people will die.
Her husband is a prophet. Let her go back to him, and his prayers will save you from death. But if you don't return her, you and all your people will die.
Genesis 20:11
Abraham answered: I did it because I didn't think any of you respected God, and I was sure that someone would kill me to get my wife.
Abraham answered: I did it because I didn't think any of you respected God, and I was sure that someone would kill me to get 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 âprinces of the provincesâ 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 âyoung menâ are their attendants, youths unaccustomed to war.
Who shall order the battle? - i. e., âWho shal join battle, begin the attack? We or the enemy?â 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.
