1 Kings 22:31

“But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had the rule over his chariots, etc.] This was the number of his kings in the first battle with Israel, and of his captains in the second, (<112001>1 Kings 20:1,24,25), and the same number he had now, being very probably not only the number of his chariots, but the division of his army was into so many battalions, under the command of these captains of chariots: saying, fight neither with small nor great; of those that belonged to Jehoshaphat: save only with the king of Israel; and his men; for it can hardly be thought that his orders were to fight with none, nor kill any in the battle but Ahab personally; though it is very…”

“Commanded - “Had commanded.” Ben-hadad delivers his order in the hyperbolical style common in the East. His meaning is, “Make it your chief object to kill or take the king of Israel.” Apparently, his own defeat and captivity were still rankling in his mind, and he wished to retaliate on Ahab, the humiliation which he considered himself to have suffered. He shows small appreciation of the generosity which had spared his life and restored him to his kingdom. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Save only - This he ordered, truly supposing this to be the best way to put an end to the war: and by the providence of God, which disposeth the hearts of kings as he pleaseth; and inclined them to this course, that they might, though ignorantly, accomplish his counsel. Perhaps Ben - hadad only designed to have taken him prisoner, that he might now give him as honourable a treatment, as he had formerly received from him. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 22:34”

“thirty and two: Kg1 20:24; Ch2 18:30 Fight: Kg1 20:33-42 small nor great: Gen 19:11; Sa1 30:2; Jer 16:6 3 Kings (1 Kings) 22:32”