King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 20:6 Mean?

1 Kings 20:6 in the King James Version says “Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of th... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away. pleasant: Heb. desirable

1 Kings 20:6 · KJV


Context

4

And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have.

5

And the messengers came again, and said, Thus speaketh Benhadad, saying, Although I have sent unto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children;

6

Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away. pleasant: Heb. desirable

7

Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not. I denied: Heb. I kept not back from him

8

And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it 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. 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 · 21 words
כִּ֣י׀1 of 21
H3588

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

אִם2 of 21
H518

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

כָּעֵ֣ת3 of 21

about this time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

מָחָ֗ר4 of 21

unto thee to morrow

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

אֶשְׁלַ֤ח5 of 21

Yet I will send

H7971

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

אֶת6 of 21
H853

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

עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ7 of 21

my servants

H5650

a servant

אֵלֶ֔יךָ8 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְחִפְּשׂוּ֙9 of 21

and they shall search

H2664

to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e., let be sought), or mask

אֶת10 of 21
H853

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

בָּתֵּ֣י11 of 21

and the houses

H1004

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

וְאֵ֖ת12 of 21
H853

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

בָּתֵּ֣י13 of 21

and the houses

H1004

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

עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ14 of 21

my servants

H5650

a servant

וְהָיָה֙15 of 21

and it shall be

H1961

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

כָּל16 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַחְמַ֣ד17 of 21

that whatsoever is pleasant

H4261

delightful; hence, a delight, i.e., object of affection or desire

עֵינֶ֔יךָ18 of 21

in thine eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יָשִׂ֥ימוּ19 of 21

they shall put

H7760

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

בְיָדָ֖ם20 of 21

it in their hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְלָקָֽחוּ׃21 of 21

and take it away

H3947

to take (in the widest 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 20:6 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 20:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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