1 Kings 20:39

Translations

Modern

As the king passed by, he cried out to the king: “Your servant had marched out into the middle of the battle, when suddenly a man came over with a captive and told me, ‘Guard this man! If he goes missing for any reason, your life will be exchanged for his life, or you will weigh out a talent of silver.’

Traditional

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.

Literal

And it came to pass, as the king was passing by, that he cried out to the king and said, “Your servant went out into the midst of the battle, and there a man came over and brought to me a man, and he said, ‘Guard this man. If he goes missing for any reason, then your life will be in place of his life, or else a talent of silver you must weigh out.’

Latin

Cumque rex transisset, clamavit ad regem, et ait: Servus tuus egressus est ad præliandum cominus: cumque fugisset vir unus, adduxit eum quidam ad me, et ait: Custodi virum istum: qui si lapsus fuerit, erit anima tua pro anima ejus, aut talentum argenti appendes.

Original

Hebrew

English

As the king passed by, he cried out to the king: “Your servant had marched out into the middle of the battle, when suddenly a man came over with a captive and told me, ‘Guard this man! If he goes missing for any reason, your life will be exchanged for his life, or you will weigh out a talent of silver.’

Notes

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

Measurements

a talent of silver: About 75.4 lb (34.2 kg)

Related verses

2 Kings 10:24
And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and warned them, “If anyone allows one of the men I am delivering into your hands to escape, he will forfeit his life for theirs.”
2 Samuel 14:5–7
“What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead.
Proverbs 6:35
He will not be appeased by any ransom, or persuaded by lavish gifts.
Proverbs 13:8
Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.
2 Samuel 12:1–7
Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor.
1 Peter 1:18–19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,
Mark 12:1–12
Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.
Judges 9:7–20
When this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: “Listen to me, O leaders of Shechem, and may God listen to you.
Job 36:18
Be careful that no one lures you with riches; do not let a large bribe lead you astray.
1 Kings 20:42
And the prophet said to the king, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have let slip from your hand the man I had devoted to destruction, your life will be exchanged for his life, and your people for his people.’”
Exodus 21:30
If payment is demanded of him instead, he may redeem his life by paying the full amount demanded of him.
Psalm 49:7
No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.

Glossary

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

Topics

Parables of the Prisoner of War Self-Condemnation: Ahab Symbols and Similitudes: Wounding Syria: The Israelites: Craftily Drawn Into a League With

1 Kings 20:39

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