1 Kings 20:37 Meaning and Explanation
“Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The prophet finds another man who obeys and strikes him, wounding him.
What Does 1 Kings 20:37 Mean?
The prophet finds a second man and repeats the command, 'Smite me.' This man obeys, striking and wounding him as instructed. The wound is real and necessary, for it is part of the disguise the prophet will wear to confront the king.
The contrast with the first man is pointed: one refused and perished, the other obeyed though it meant striking a prophet. Obedience to God's word sometimes asks what feels wrong to natural instinct, yet it is the path of life. The wound willingly given becomes the instrument God uses, a reminder that faithfulness often costs something before it serves His ends.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 20:37
What does 1 Kings 20:37 mean?
The prophet finds another man who obeys and strikes him, wounding him.