1 Kings 15:18
Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Ben-hadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 32
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַכֶּ֨סֶף
all the silver
H3701
הַכֶּ֨סֶף
all the silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
5 of 32
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
וְהַזָּהָ֜ב
and the gold
H2091
וְהַזָּהָ֜ב
and the gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
6 of 32
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
הַנּֽוֹתָרִ֣ים׀
that were left
H3498
הַנּֽוֹתָרִ֣ים׀
that were left
Strong's:
H3498
Word #:
7 of 32
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
בֵּ֣ית
house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
9 of 32
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֣ית
house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
13 of 32
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם
and delivered
H5414
וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם
and delivered
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
15 of 32
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּיַד
them into the hand
H3027
בְּיַד
them into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
16 of 32
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֞ם
sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֞ם
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
18 of 32
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
הֲ֠דַד
them to Benhadad
H1130
הֲ֠דַד
them to Benhadad
Strong's:
H1130
Word #:
23 of 32
ben-hadad, the name of several syrian kings, possibly a royal title
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
24 of 32
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
26 of 32
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲרָ֔ם
of Syria
H758
אֲרָ֔ם
of Syria
Strong's:
H758
Word #:
29 of 32
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
הַיֹּשֵׁ֥ב
that dwelt
H3427
הַיֹּשֵׁ֥ב
that dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
30 of 32
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
Cross References
1 Kings 14:26And he took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he even took away all: and he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made.2 Kings 12:18And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.1 Kings 15:15And he brought in the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which himself had dedicated, into the house of the LORD, silver, and gold, and vessels.Genesis 14:15And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. This period (c. 930-850 BCE) saw rapid succession and instability, especially in the northern kingdom.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
- What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Ben-hadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of kings of judah and israel: abijam, asa, nadab, baasha, within the book's focus on spiritual decline of both kingdoms under various rulers. The temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.