King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 20:28 Mean?

1 Kings 20:28 in the King James Version says “And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have ... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

1 Kings 20:28 · KJV


Context

26

And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel. to fight: Heb. to the war with Israel

27

And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country. were all: or, were nourished

28

And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

29

And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day.

30

But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber. into an: or, from chamber to chamber: Heb. into a chamber within a chamber


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall 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 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 · 33 words
וַיִּגַּ֞שׁ1 of 33

And 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

אִ֣ישׁ2 of 33

a man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֱלֹהֵ֥י3 of 33

but he is not God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אָֽמְר֤וּ4 of 33

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל5 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֣לֶךְ6 of 33

unto the king

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵל֒7 of 33

of Israel

H3478

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

אָֽמְר֤וּ8 of 33

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּֽה9 of 33
H3541

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

אָֽמְר֤וּ10 of 33

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃11 of 33

The LORD

H3068

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

יַ֠עַן12 of 33
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

אֲשֶׁ֨ר13 of 33
H834

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

אָֽמְר֤וּ14 of 33

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲרָם֙15 of 33

Because the Syrians

H758

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

אֱלֹהֵ֥י16 of 33

but he is not God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

הָרִים֙17 of 33

of the hills

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

יְהוָֽה׃18 of 33

The LORD

H3068

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

וְלֹֽא19 of 33
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֱלֹהֵ֥י20 of 33

but he is not God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

עֲמָקִ֖ים21 of 33

of the valleys

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

ה֑וּא22 of 33
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְ֠נָֽתַתִּי23 of 33

therefore will I deliver

H5414

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

אֶת24 of 33
H853

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

כָּל25 of 33
H3605

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

הֶֽהָמ֨וֹן26 of 33

multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

הַגָּ֤דוֹל27 of 33

all this great

H1419

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

הַזֶּה֙28 of 33
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ29 of 33

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

וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖ם30 of 33

and ye shall know

H3045

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

כִּֽי31 of 33
H3588

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

אֲנִ֥י32 of 33
H589

i

יְהוָֽה׃33 of 33

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 20:28 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 20:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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