King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 20:34 Mean?

1 Kings 20:34 in the King James Version says “And Benhadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make street...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Kings 20:34 · KJV

Context

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.

35

And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him.

36

Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.

Read 1 Kings 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Ben-hadad 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.

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. God's covenant faithfulness remains steadfast despite human unfaithfulness, ultimately fulfilled in the new covenant through Christ.

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 · 24 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 24

“And Benhadad said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֡יו2 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֶֽעָרִ֣ים3 of 24

“unto him The cities”

H5892

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

אֲשֶׁר4 of 24
H834

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

לָֽקַח5 of 24

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אָבִי֙6 of 24

“as my father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

מֵאֵ֨ת7 of 24
H853

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

אָבִי֙8 of 24

“as my father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אָשִׁ֗יב9 of 24

“I will restore”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

וְ֠חֻצוֹת10 of 24

“streets”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

שָׂ֤ם11 of 24

“and thou shalt make”

H7760

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

לְךָ֤12 of 24
H0
בְדַמֶּ֙שֶׂק֙13 of 24

“for thee in Damascus”

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר14 of 24
H834

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

שָׂ֤ם15 of 24

“and thou shalt make”

H7760

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

אָבִי֙16 of 24

“as my father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

בְּשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן17 of 24

“in Samaria”

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

וַֽאֲנִ֖י18 of 24
H589

i

בְרִ֖ית19 of 24

“a covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵֽהוּ׃20 of 24

“Then said Ahab I will send thee away”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וַיִּכְרָת21 of 24

“So he made”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

ל֥וֹ22 of 24
H0
בְרִ֖ית23 of 24

“a covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵֽהוּ׃24 of 24

“Then said Ahab I will send thee away”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

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 20:34 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 20:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 15:20Isaiah 26:101 Kings 20:422 Chronicles 18:30Isaiah 8:122 Chronicles 16:4

Places in This Verse

DamascusSettlement · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E58 verses across 15 books
Samaria 1Settlement · Modern: Samaria · 32.28°N, 35.20°E113 verses across 12 books
View all places in 1 Kings 20 →

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