King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 20:31 Mean?

1 Kings 20:31 in the King James Version says “And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let ... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Kings 20:31 · KJV


Context

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.

33

Now the men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him, and did hastily catch it: and they said, Thy brother Benhadad. Then he said, Go ye, bring him. Then Benhadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

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 · 28 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ1 of 28

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָיו֮2 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֲבָדָיו֒3 of 28

And his servants

H5650

a servant

הִנֵּה4 of 28
H2009

lo!

נָ֣א5 of 28
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

שָׁמַ֔עְנוּ6 of 28

unto him Behold now we have heard

H8085

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

כִּ֗י7 of 28
H3588

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

מֶ֣לֶךְ8 of 28

kings

H4428

a king

בֵּ֣ית9 of 28

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל10 of 28

of Israel

H3478

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

כִּֽי11 of 28
H3588

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

מֶ֣לֶךְ12 of 28

kings

H4428

a king

חֶ֖סֶד13 of 28

are merciful

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

הֵ֑ם14 of 28
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

נָשִׂ֣ימָה15 of 28

let us I pray thee put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

נָּא֩16 of 28
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

שַׂקִּ֨ים17 of 28

sackcloth

H8242

properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai

בְּמָתְנֵ֜ינוּ18 of 28

on our loins

H4975

properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins

וַֽחֲבָלִ֣ים19 of 28

and ropes

H2256

ruin

בְּרֹאשֵׁ֗נוּ20 of 28

upon our heads

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וְנֵצֵא֙21 of 28

and go out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶל22 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֣לֶךְ23 of 28

kings

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל24 of 28

of Israel

H3478

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

אוּלַ֖י25 of 28
H194

if not; hence perhaps

יְחַיֶּ֥ה26 of 28

peradventure he will save

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

אֶת27 of 28
H853

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

נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃28 of 28

thy life

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment


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 20:31 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 20:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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