King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 15:18 Mean?

1 Kings 15:18 in the King James Version says “Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,

1 Kings 15:18 · King James Version


Context

16

And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

17

And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

18

Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,

19

There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me. depart: Heb. go up

20

So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Ben-hadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of kings of judah and israel: abijam, asa, nadab, baasha, within the book's focus on spiritual decline of both kingdoms under various rulers. The temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. This period (c. 930-850 BCE) saw rapid succession and instability, especially in the northern kingdom.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
  2. What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וַיִּקַּ֣ח1 of 32

took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אָסָ֗א2 of 32

Asa

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

אֶת3 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל4 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַכֶּ֨סֶף5 of 32

all the silver

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְהַזָּהָ֜ב6 of 32

and the gold

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

הַנּֽוֹתָרִ֣ים׀7 of 32

that were left

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

אֽוֹצְרוֹת֙8 of 32

and the treasures

H214

a depository

בֵּ֣ית9 of 32

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֗ה10 of 32

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְאֶת11 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֽוֹצְרוֹת֙12 of 32

and the treasures

H214

a depository

בֵּ֣ית13 of 32

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

מֶ֣לֶךְ14 of 32

and king

H4428

a king

וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם15 of 32

and delivered

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בְּיַד16 of 32

them into the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עֲבָדָ֑יו17 of 32

of his servants

H5650

a servant

וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֞ם18 of 32

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מֶ֣לֶךְ19 of 32

and king

H4428

a king

אָסָ֗א20 of 32

Asa

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

אֶל21 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֶּן22 of 32
H0
הֲ֠דַד23 of 32

them to Benhadad

H1130

ben-hadad, the name of several syrian kings, possibly a royal title

בֶּן24 of 32

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

טַבְרִמֹּ֤ן25 of 32

of Tabrimon

H2886

tabrimmon, a syrian

בֶּן26 of 32

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חֶזְיוֹן֙27 of 32

of Hezion

H2383

chezjon, a syrian

מֶ֣לֶךְ28 of 32

and king

H4428

a king

אֲרָ֔ם29 of 32

of Syria

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

הַיֹּשֵׁ֥ב30 of 32

that dwelt

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּדַמֶּ֖שֶׂק31 of 32

at Damascus

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

לֵאמֹֽר׃32 of 32

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 15:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 15:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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