King James Version
1 Kings 20:38 in the King James Version says “So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.”
1 Kings 20:38 · KJV
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.
Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him. so that: Heb. smiting and wounding
So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.
And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver. pay: Heb. weigh
And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it. he was: Heb. he was not
KJV Study — Public Domain
“and waited”
H5975to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“by the way”
H1870a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
“and disguised”
H2664to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e., let be sought), or mask
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“upon his face”
H5869an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
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.
1 Kings 20:38 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to 1 Kings 20:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge