King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 21:20 Mean?

1 Kings 21:20 in the King James Version says “And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold th...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.”

1 Kings 21:20 · KJV

Context

18

Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.

19

And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

20

And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.

21

Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,

22

And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin.

Read 1 Kings 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of naboth's vineyard, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism. The prophetic office represents God's faithful witness even in apostasy, calling His people back to covenant faithfulness.

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 · 14 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 14

“And he answered”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַחְאָב֙2 of 14

“And Ahab”

H256

achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon

אֶל3 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ4 of 14

“to Elijah”

H452

elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites

מָצָ֔אתִי5 of 14

“Hast thou found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

אֹֽיְבִ֑י6 of 14

“me O mine enemy”

H341

hating; an adversary

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר7 of 14

“And he answered”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מָצָ֔אתִי8 of 14

“Hast thou found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

יַ֚עַן9 of 14
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

הִתְמַכֶּרְךָ֔10 of 14

“thee because thou hast sold”

H4376

to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)

לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת11 of 14

“thyself to work”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הָרַ֖ע12 of 14

“evil”

H7451

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

בְּעֵינֵ֥י13 of 14

“in the sight”

H5869

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

יְהוָֽה׃14 of 14

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 21:20 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 21:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 7:142 Kings 17:171 Kings 21:251 Kings 18:17Isaiah 52:3Revelation 11:10

Test Your Knowledge

1 Kings 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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