1 Kings 20:40 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The prophet says the prisoner escaped while he was distracted, and the king pronounces the man's own sentence upon him.
What Does 1 Kings 20:40 Mean?
The prophet finishes: while he was 'busy here and there,' the prisoner slipped away. Ahab, taking the bait, declares the man guilty by his own admission -- 'So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.' The king has unknowingly sentenced himself.
The phrase 'thyself hast decided it' is the trap sprung shut. Ahab condemns the careless keeper without realizing he is the careless keeper, having let Ben-hadad slip from God's appointed judgment while busy with treaties and trade. There is a solemn warning here: the standard by which we judge others may be the very standard that exposes us.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 20:40
What does 1 Kings 20:40 mean?
The prophet says the prisoner escaped while he was distracted, and the king pronounces the man's own sentence upon him.