1 Kings 15:20

Authorized King James Version

So Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-beth-maachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע

H8085

hearkened

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בֶּן

הֲדַ֜ד

H1130

So Benhadad

ben-hadad, the name of several syrian kings, possibly a royal title

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ

H4428

unto king

a king

אָסָ֗א

H609

Asa

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

וַ֠יִּשְׁלַח

H7971

and sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שָׂרֵ֨י

H8269

the captains

a head person (of any rank or class)

#10

הַֽחֲיָלִ֤ים

H2428

of the hosts

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

#11

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#12

לוֹ֙

#13

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#14

עָרֵ֣י

H5892

which he had against the cities

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

#15

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#16

וַיַּךְ֙

H5221

and smote

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

#17

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#18

עִיּ֣וֹן

H5859

Ijon

ijon, a place in palestine

#19

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#20

דָּ֔ן

H1835

and Dan

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

#21

וְאֵ֖ת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#22

אָבֵ֣ל

#23

בֵּֽית

#24

מַעֲכָ֑ה

H62

and Abelbethmaachah

abel of beth-maakah, a place in palestine

#25

וְאֵת֙

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#26

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#27

כִּנְר֔וֹת

H3672

and all Cinneroth

kinneroth or kinnereth, a place in palestine

#28

עַ֖ל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#29

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#30

אֶ֥רֶץ

H776

with all the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#31

נַפְתָּלִֽי׃

H5321

of Naphtali

naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Kings Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within 1 Kings chapter 15 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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