King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 20:30 Mean?

1 Kings 20:30 in the King James Version says “But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were lef...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Kings 20:30 · KJV

Context

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

31

And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life.

32

So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Benhadad saith, I pray thee, let me live . And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother.

Read 1 Kings 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 Ben-hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.

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 · 21 words
נָ֔ס1 of 21

“fled”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

הַנּֽוֹתָרִ֑ים2 of 21

“But the rest”

H3498

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

אֲפֵקָה֮3 of 21

“to Aphek”

H663

aphek (or aphik), the name of three places in palestine

אֶל4 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעִ֖יר5 of 21

“into the city”

H5892

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

וַתִּפֹּל֙6 of 21

“fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

הַֽחוֹמָ֔ה7 of 21

“and there a wall”

H2346

a wall of protection

עַל8 of 21
H5921

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

עֶשְׂרִ֨ים9 of 21

“upon twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וְשִׁבְעָ֥ה10 of 21

“and seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

אֶ֛לֶף11 of 21

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

אִ֖ישׁ12 of 21

“of the men”

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)

הַנּֽוֹתָרִ֑ים13 of 21

“But the rest”

H3498

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

וּבֶן14 of 21
H0
הֲדַ֣ד15 of 21

“And Benhadad”

H1130

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

נָ֔ס16 of 21

“fled”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

וַיָּבֹ֥א17 of 21

“and came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל18 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעִ֖יר19 of 21

“into the city”

H5892

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

בְּחָֽדֶר׃20 of 21

“chamber”

H2315

an apartment (usually literal)

בְּחָֽדֶר׃21 of 21

“chamber”

H2315

an apartment (usually literal)

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 20:30 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 20:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 22:252 Chronicles 18:24Luke 13:41 Kings 20:26Isaiah 24:18Jeremiah 48:44

Places in This Verse

Aphek 3Settlement · Modern: Tel Ein Gev · 32.78°N, 35.64°E3 verses across 2 books
View all places in 1 Kings 20 →

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