King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 20:32 Mean?

1 Kings 20:32 in the King James Version says “So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy ser...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Kings 20:32 · KJV

Prayer

Context

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.

34

And Benhadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.

Read 1 Kings 20 full chapter

Commentary

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

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 · 22 words
וַיַּחְגְּרוּ֩1 of 22

“So they girded”

H2296

to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)

שַׂקִּ֨ים2 of 22

“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

בְּמָתְנֵיהֶ֜ם3 of 22

“on their loins”

H4975

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

וַֽחֲבָלִ֣ים4 of 22

“and put ropes”

H2256

ruin

בְּרָֽאשֵׁיהֶ֗ם5 of 22

“on their heads”

H7218

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

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙6 of 22

“and came”

H935

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

אֶל7 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֣לֶךְ8 of 22

“to the king”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל9 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

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

וַיֹּ֛אמֶר10 of 22

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עַבְדְּךָ֧11 of 22

“Thy servant”

H5650

a servant

בֶן12 of 22
H0
הֲדַ֛ד13 of 22

“Benhadad”

H1130

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

וַיֹּ֛אמֶר14 of 22

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

תְּחִי15 of 22

“I pray thee let me live”

H2421

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

נָ֣א16 of 22
H4994

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

נַפְשִׁ֑י17 of 22
H5315

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

וַיֹּ֛אמֶר18 of 22

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַעוֹדֶ֥נּוּ19 of 22
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

חַ֖י20 of 22

“Is he yet alive”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אָחִ֥י21 of 22

“he is my brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

הֽוּא׃22 of 22
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

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 20:32 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 20:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 20:3-61 Kings 20:42Job 40:11-121 Kings 20:31Job 12:17-181 Samuel 15:8-20

Test Your Knowledge

1 Kings 20 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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