King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 20:7 Mean?

1 Kings 20:7 in the King James Version says “Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh misc...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Kings 20:7 · KJV

Prayer

Context

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.

9

Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Benhadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do: but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought him word again.

Read 1 Kings 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 24 words
וַיִּקְרָ֤א1 of 24

“called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

מֶֽלֶךְ2 of 24

“Then the king”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙3 of 24

“of Israel”

H3478

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

לְכָל4 of 24
H3605

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

זִקְנֵ֣י5 of 24

“all the elders”

H2205

old

הָאָ֔רֶץ6 of 24

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙7 of 24

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דְּעוּ8 of 24

“Mark”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

נָ֣א9 of 24
H4994

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

וּרְא֔וּ10 of 24

“I pray you and see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

כִּ֥י11 of 24
H3588

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

רָעָ֖ה12 of 24

“mischief”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

זֶ֣ה13 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ14 of 24

“how this man seeketh”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

כִּֽי15 of 24
H3588

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

שָׁלַ֨ח16 of 24

“for he sent”

H7971

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

אֵלַ֜י17 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְנָשַׁ֤י18 of 24

“unto me for my wives”

H802

a woman

וּלְבָנַי֙19 of 24

“and for my children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּלְכַסְפִּ֣י20 of 24

“and for my silver”

H3701

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

וְלִזְהָבִ֔י21 of 24

“and for my gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

וְלֹ֥א22 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מָנַ֖עְתִּי23 of 24

“and I denied”

H4513

to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury

מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃24 of 24
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

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 20:7 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 20:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 5:71 Chronicles 13:1Romans 3:13-18Psalms 62:3Proverbs 6:14Daniel 11:27

Test Your Knowledge

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

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