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1 Kings 20

1 Kings 20:36

A Prophet Reproves Ahab · 1 Kings 20:35–43
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Translations

Modern
Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.” And when he left, a lion found him and killed him.
Traditional
Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the Lord, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.
Literal
And he said to him, “Because that you have not obeyed the voice of YHWH, surely as soon as you depart from me, a lion will strike you.” And he left him, and a lion found him and struck him.
Latin
Cui ait: Quia noluisti audire vocem Domini, ecce recedes a me, et percutiet te leo. Cumque paululum recessisset ab eo, invenit eum leo, atque percussit.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.” And when he left, a lion found him and killed him.

Notes

1 Kings 20:36

a lion will kill you: In the past, a lion was a tool for divine judgment (1 Kings 13:20–24). It would serve this role again when Israel was repopulated after Samaria's fall (2 Kings 17:25–26).

1 Kings 20:35–43

Ahab showed mercy to Ben-hadad, which displeased God. An unnamed prophet used symbolic actions to show this disapproval. God's prophets often used symbols to deliver his messages (Isaiah 20; Jeremiah 27:1–7; Ezekiel 4:1–3, 9–17; 5:1–4). By sparing an untrustworthy enemy, Ahab brought judgment on himself and his people instead of relying more on the Lord.

Theme notes and profiles

Ahab Jezebel Prophets in 1 Kings

Glossary

Ahab (King) Ben-Hadad Gilead (Place) Kings, Books of First and Second Lion Samaria Sons of the Prophets

Topics

Disobedience to God of a Man of Israel, Who Refused to Strike the Prophet Lion: An Unnamed Person Killed By Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Death of a Man Who Refused to Strike a Prophet Symbols and Similitudes: Wounding Syria: The Israelites: Craftily Drawn Into a League With The Lion: Attacks and Destroys Men