1 Kings 20:40

Verse 40. Decreed. Thou must either die or pay the money. Menochius.—Thus the king pronounced sentence against himself, as David had done. 2 Kennicott. 12:1 and 14:4. The Rabbins assert, that Achab had received an express order from God to destroy and subjugate all the Syrians. He ought, at least, to have been consulted, as he had given the enemy into the hands of the Israelites; ( Calmet.) and thus insinuated, that he would have them punished, (verse 28. Rupert verse 13.) for restricting his power to the hills. Tirinus.