King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 15:20 Mean?

1 Kings 15:20 in the King James Version says “So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and s... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Kings 15:20 · KJV


Context

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.

21

And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.

22

Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah. exempted: Heb. free


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So Ben-hadad 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 Abel-beth-maachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.

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 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?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע1 of 31

hearkened

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בֶּן2 of 31
H0
הֲדַ֜ד3 of 31

So Benhadad

H1130

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

אֶל4 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ5 of 31

unto king

H4428

a king

אָסָ֗א6 of 31

Asa

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

וַ֠יִּשְׁלַח7 of 31

and sent

H7971

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

אֶת8 of 31
H853

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

שָׂרֵ֨י9 of 31

the captains

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַֽחֲיָלִ֤ים10 of 31

of the hosts

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

אֲשֶׁר11 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לוֹ֙12 of 31
H0
עַל13 of 31
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עָרֵ֣י14 of 31

which he had against the cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל15 of 31

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַיַּךְ֙16 of 31

and smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת17 of 31
H853

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

עִיּ֣וֹן18 of 31

Ijon

H5859

ijon, a place in palestine

וְאֶת19 of 31
H853

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

דָּ֔ן20 of 31

and Dan

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

וְאֵ֖ת21 of 31
H853

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

אָבֵ֣ל22 of 31
H0
בֵּֽית23 of 31
H0
מַעֲכָ֑ה24 of 31

and Abelbethmaachah

H62

abel of beth-maakah, a place in palestine

וְאֵת֙25 of 31
H853

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

כָּל26 of 31
H3605

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

כִּנְר֔וֹת27 of 31

and all Cinneroth

H3672

kinneroth or kinnereth, a place in palestine

עַ֖ל28 of 31
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל29 of 31
H3605

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

אֶ֥רֶץ30 of 31

with all the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

נַפְתָּלִֽי׃31 of 31

of Naphtali

H5321

naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory


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 15:20 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 15:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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