1 Kings 20:39 Meaning and Explanation
“And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The disguised prophet tells the king a tale of a prisoner entrusted to him under penalty of his life or a talent of silver if the man escaped.
What Does 1 Kings 20:39 Mean?
As Ahab passes, the prophet calls out his fabricated story. He claims that during the battle a soldier handed him a prisoner to guard, on pain of his own life or a heavy fine 'a talent of silver' should the captive escape. It is a scenario crafted to mirror Ahab's own conduct.
The tale is a snare laid with care. A man given a charge to keep a prisoner under solemn penalty -- this is precisely what God had given Ahab regarding Ben-hadad. The king, not yet seeing himself in the story, is about to render the very judgment his own actions deserve. God's word can reach a hardened heart by inviting it to judge itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 20:39
What does 1 Kings 20:39 mean?
The disguised prophet tells the king a tale of a prisoner entrusted to him under penalty of his life or a talent of silver if the man escaped.