But about this time tomorrow I will send my servants to search your palace and the houses of your servants. They will seize and carry away all that is precious to you.'" But about this time tomorrowThis phrase sets a specific timeframe, indicating the immediacy and certainty of the impending action. In the Hebrew context, time references often underscore the urgency and seriousness of a situation. The phrase suggests a looming threat, emphasizing the pressure and fear that King Ben-hadad of Aram intended to instill in King Ahab of Israel. It reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of issuing ultimatums, which were often used to assert dominance and control. I will send my servants
The term "servants" here refers to agents or messengers acting on behalf of a king. In the ancient world, a king's servants were extensions of his authority, carrying out his will and commands. This reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient monarchies, where the king's word was law, and his servants were instruments of his power. The use of "servants" also implies a sense of impersonal force, as they are merely executing orders without personal involvement. to search your palace
The act of searching the palace signifies an invasion of privacy and a violation of sovereignty. In ancient Israel, the palace was not only the king's residence but also a symbol of his rule and authority. The Hebrew word for "search" can imply a thorough and intrusive examination, indicating that nothing would be left untouched. This action would have been seen as a direct challenge to King Ahab's authority and an affront to his dignity. and the houses of your officials
This phrase extends the threat beyond the king to his officials, indicating a comprehensive and systematic plundering. In the ancient Near Eastern context, officials were integral to the administration of the kingdom, and their houses would contain valuable resources and symbols of their status. By targeting the officials, Ben-hadad aimed to destabilize the entire governance structure of Israel, not just the king. They will seize everything you value
The word "seize" conveys a forceful and aggressive action, implying that the taking would be done without consent. The phrase "everything you value" highlights the personal and economic impact of the threat. In the Hebrew context, what one values often includes not only material wealth but also items of cultural and religious significance. This would have been a devastating prospect for Ahab, as it threatened both his personal wealth and the cultural heritage of his people. and carry it away
The act of carrying away implies a complete removal, leaving nothing behind. In the ancient world, such actions were common in warfare, where victors would plunder the defeated to enrich themselves and weaken their enemies. This phrase underscores the totality of the threat, suggesting that Ahab would be left impoverished and humiliated. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of defying a more powerful adversary. Persons / Places / Events 1. Ben-HadadThe king of Aram (Syria) who is making demands of Israel. He is a key figure in this chapter, representing opposition to God's people. 2. AhabThe king of Israel at the time, known for his weak leadership and idolatry. He is faced with a difficult decision in response to Ben-Hadad's demands. 3. SamariaThe capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where King Ahab resides. It is the focal point of Ben-Hadad's aggression. 4. Servants of Ben-HadadThese are the agents sent by Ben-Hadad to carry out his demands, symbolizing the threat and pressure from external forces. 5. Officials of IsraelThe leaders and nobles of Israel who are also targeted by Ben-Hadad's demands, representing the broader impact on the nation. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NationsDespite the threats from powerful enemies, God remains in control. Believers can trust in His ultimate authority over all earthly powers. The Danger of CompromiseAhab's initial willingness to comply with Ben-Hadad's demands highlights the danger of compromising with evil. Christians are called to stand firm in their faith and values. The Importance of Seeking Godly CounselAhab's situation underscores the need for seeking wisdom and guidance from God and His Word when faced with difficult decisions. God's Faithfulness in DeliveranceJust as God delivered Israel from Ben-Hadad, He is faithful to deliver His people from spiritual and physical threats today. The Role of Leadership in CrisisAhab's response to Ben-Hadad's demands serves as a reminder of the responsibility leaders have to protect and guide those under their care. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Ben-Hadad's demands on Israel illustrate the challenges of facing external pressures in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in the events of 1 Kings 20, and how does this encourage us in our current circumstances? 3. What are some modern-day examples of compromising with worldly demands, and how can we apply biblical principles to resist such compromises? 4. How can we seek and apply godly counsel when faced with difficult decisions, as seen in Ahab's situation? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's deliverance in your life. How does this passage encourage you to trust in His faithfulness for future challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 3:7-8God's awareness of the oppression of His people and His promise to deliver them, similar to how He ultimately delivers Israel from Ben-Hadad's threats. 2 Kings 6:8-23Another instance of God's intervention against the Arameans, showing His continued protection over Israel. Proverbs 21:1The sovereignty of God over the hearts of kings, relevant to how God can influence the outcome of Ahab's situation. People Ahab, Aram, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Hadad, Israelites, SyriansPlaces Aphek, Damascus, Samaria, SyriaTopics Carry, Desirable, Hands, Houses, Lay, Morrow, Nevertheless, Officials, Palace, Pleasant, Pleases, Pleasing, Search, Searched, Seize, Servants, Sight, Tomorrow, To-morrow, Value, Whatever, Whatsoever, YetDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 20:1-6 4333 gold 1 Kings 20:2-9 5594 tribute 1 Kings 20:5-6 5437 palaces Library The Lost Opportunity
TEXT: "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."--1 Kings 20:40. There is a very striking incident connected with this text. The great battle is raging, a certain important prisoner has been taken, and if you read between the lines you seem to know that upon him depend many of the issues of war. His skill in leading the enemy had been marvelous, his courage in the thick of the fight striking; …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotPutting on the Armour
And the king of Israel answered and said. Tell him. Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.'--1 KINGS xx. 11. For the Young. Ahab, King of Israel, was but a poor creature, and, like most weak characters, he turned out a wicked one, because he found that there were more temptations to do wrong than inducements to do right. Like other weak people, too, he was torn asunder by the influence of stronger wills. On the one side he had a termagant of a wife, stirring …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Letter of the Synod to the Emperor and Empress.
(Labbe and Cossart, Concilia, Tom. VII., col. 577.) To our most religious and most serene princes, Constantine and Irene his mother. Tarasius, the unworthy bishop of your God-protected royal city, new Rome, and all the holy Council which met at the good pleasure of God and upon the command of your Christ-loving majesty in the renowned metropolis of Nice, the second council to assemble in this city. Christ our God (who is the head of the Church) was glorified, most noble princes, when your heart, …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils Nature of the Renderings
From the text we now turn to the renderings, and to the general principles that were followed, both in the Old and in the New Testament. The revision of the English text was in each case subject to the same general rule, viz. "To introduce as few alterations as possible into the Text of the Authorised Version consistently with faithfulness"; but, owing to the great difference between the two languages, the Hebrew and the Greek, the application of the rule was necessarily different, and the results …
C. J. Ellicott—Addresses on the Revised Version of Holy Scripture The Practice of Piety in Glorifying God in the Time of Sickness, and when Thou Art Called to Die in the Lord.
As soon as thou perceivest thyself to be visited with any sickness, meditate with thyself: 1. That "misery cometh not forth of the dust; neither doth affliction spring out of the earth." Sickness comes not by hap or chance (as the Philistines supposed that their mice and emrods came, 1 Sam. vi. 9), but from man's wickedness, which, as sparkles, breaketh out. "Man suffereth," saith Jeremiah, "for his sins." "Fools," saith David, "by reason of their transgressions, and because of their iniquities, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 20:6 NIV1 Kings 20:6 NLT1 Kings 20:6 ESV1 Kings 20:6 NASB1 Kings 20:6 KJV
1 Kings 20:6 Commentaries
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