Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 20:12
Verse 12. In the pavilions] This word comes from papilio, a butterfly, because tents, when pitched or spread out, resembled such animals; partly because of the mode of their expansion, and partly because of the manner in which they were painted. Set yourselves in array.] The original word, wmy simu, which we translate by this long periphrasis, is probably a military term for Begin the attack, Invest the city, Every man to his post, or some such like expression.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. And it came to pass, when Benhadad heard this message (as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions) , etc.] Though it was at noon, or before, ( 1 Kings 20:16), which shows that he and they were addicted to intemperance: that he said unto his servants ; some of the principal officers of his army: set yourselves in array ; prepare for battle, betake yourselves to your arms, invest the city at once, and place the engines against it to batter it down: and they set themselves in array against the city ; besieged it in form, at least prepared for it; for it seems after all that it was not properly done.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-21 - The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites wer conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those tha are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrian with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.
Original Hebrew
ויהי 1961 כשׁמע 8085 את 853 הדבר 1697 הזה 2088 והוא 1931 שׁתה 8354 הוא 1931 והמלכים 4428 בסכות 5521 ויאמר 559 אל 413 עבדיו 5650 שׂימו 7760 וישׂימו 7760 על 5921 העיר׃ 5892
