King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 20:13 Mean?

1 Kings 20:13 in the King James Version says “And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great m... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. came: Heb. approached

1 Kings 20:13 · KJV


Context

11

And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.

12

And it came to pass, when Benhadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city. message: Heb. word pavilions: or, tents Set yourselves: or, Place the engines. And they placed the engines

13

And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. came: Heb. approached

14

And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou. young: or, servants order: Heb. bind, or, tie

15

Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of ahab's wars with syria, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism. The prophetic office represents God's faithful witness even in apostasy, calling His people back to covenant faithfulness.

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. Elijah's ministry (c. 860-850 BCE) occurred during Ahab's reign, a time of intense spiritual crisis in Israel.

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 · 26 words
וְהִנֵּ֣ה׀1 of 26
H2009

lo!

נָבִ֣יא2 of 26

prophet

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אֶחָ֗ד3 of 26

a

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

נִגַּשׁ֮4 of 26

And behold there came

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

אֶל5 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַחְאָ֣ב6 of 26

unto Ahab

H256

achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon

מֶֽלֶךְ7 of 26

king

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵל֒8 of 26

of Israel

H3478

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

אָמַ֣ר9 of 26

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּ֚ה10 of 26
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר11 of 26

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃12 of 26

that I am the LORD

H3068

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

הְֽרָאִ֔יתָ13 of 26

Hast thou seen

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֵ֛ת14 of 26
H853

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

כָּל15 of 26
H3605

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

הֶֽהָמ֥וֹן16 of 26

multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

הַגָּד֖וֹל17 of 26

all this great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

הַזֶּ֑ה18 of 26
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הִנְנִ֨י19 of 26
H2009

lo!

נֹֽתְנ֤וֹ20 of 26

behold I will deliver

H5414

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

בְיָֽדְךָ֙21 of 26

it into thine 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

הַיּ֔וֹם22 of 26

this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וְיָֽדַעְתָּ֖23 of 26

and thou shalt know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי24 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֥י25 of 26
H589

i

יְהוָֽה׃26 of 26

that I am the LORD

H3068

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


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 20:13 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 20:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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