King James Version
1 Kings 20:18 in the King James Version says “And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.”
1 Kings 20:18 · KJV
And they went out at noon. But Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.
And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Benhadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria.
And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.
So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them.
And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen.
KJV Study — Public Domain
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
“for peace”
H7965safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
“Whether they be come out”
H3318to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
“take”
H8610to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
“them alive”
H2416alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
“Whether they be come out”
H3318to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
“them alive”
H2416alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
“take”
H8610to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
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.
1 Kings 20:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to 1 Kings 20:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge