King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 20:39 Mean?

1 Kings 20:39 in the King James Version says “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, ... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Kings 20:39 · KJV


Context

37

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

38

So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.

39

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

40

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

41

And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 34 words
וַיְהִ֤י1 of 34
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ2 of 34

And as the king

H4428

a king

עֹבֵ֔ר3 of 34

passed by

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

וְה֖וּא4 of 34
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

צָעַ֣ק5 of 34

he cried

H6817

to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)

אֶל6 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ7 of 34

And as the king

H4428

a king

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙8 of 34

and he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עַבְדְּךָ֣׀9 of 34

Thy servant

H5650

a servant

יָצָ֣א10 of 34

went out

H3318

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

בְקֶֽרֶב11 of 34

into the midst

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה12 of 34

of the battle

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

וְהִנֵּֽה13 of 34
H2009

lo!

הָאִ֣ישׁ14 of 34

a man

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)

סָ֜ר15 of 34

turned aside

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

וַיָּבֵ֧א16 of 34

and brought

H935

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

אֵלַ֣י17 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאִ֣ישׁ18 of 34

a man

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)

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙19 of 34

and he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמֹר֙20 of 34

Keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

אֶת21 of 34
H853

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

הָאִ֣ישׁ22 of 34

a man

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)

הַזֶּ֔ה23 of 34
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אִם24 of 34
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִפָּקֵ֔ד25 of 34

he be missing

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

יִפָּקֵ֔ד26 of 34

he be missing

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

וְהָֽיְתָ֤ה27 of 34
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

נַפְשׁ֔וֹ28 of 34

be for his 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

תַּ֣חַת29 of 34
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

נַפְשׁ֔וֹ30 of 34

be for his 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

א֥וֹ31 of 34
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

כִכַּר32 of 34

a talent

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

כֶּ֖סֶף33 of 34

of silver

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

תִּשְׁקֽוֹל׃34 of 34

or else thou shalt pay

H8254

to suspend or poise (especially in trade)


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 20:39 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 20:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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