King James Version
1 Kings 20:8 in the King James Version says “And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent.” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent.”
1 Kings 20:8 · King James Version
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
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
And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent.
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.
And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me. follow: Heb. are at my feet
KJV Study — Public Domain
Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
“and all the people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
“unto him Hearken”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“not unto him nor consent”
H14to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
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 20:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.