1 Kings 20:39
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֤י
H1961
וַיְהִ֤י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 34
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עֹבֵ֔ר
passed by
H5674
עֹבֵ֔ר
passed by
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
3 of 34
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
וְה֖וּא
H1931
וְה֖וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 34
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
צָעַ֣ק
he cried
H6817
צָעַ֣ק
he cried
Strong's:
H6817
Word #:
5 of 34
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
יָצָ֣א
went out
H3318
יָצָ֣א
went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
10 of 34
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בְקֶֽרֶב
into the midst
H7130
בְקֶֽרֶב
into the midst
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
11 of 34
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה
of the battle
H4421
הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה
of the battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
12 of 34
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
הָאִ֣ישׁ
a man
H376
הָאִ֣ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
14 of 34
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וַיָּבֵ֧א
and brought
H935
וַיָּבֵ֧א
and brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
16 of 34
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָאִ֣ישׁ
a man
H376
הָאִ֣ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
18 of 34
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
שְׁמֹר֙
Keep
H8104
שְׁמֹר֙
Keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
20 of 34
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 34
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאִ֣ישׁ
a man
H376
הָאִ֣ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
22 of 34
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
24 of 34
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִפָּקֵ֔ד
he be missing
H6485
יִפָּקֵ֔ד
he be missing
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
25 of 34
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
יִפָּקֵ֔ד
he be missing
H6485
יִפָּקֵ֔ד
he be missing
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
26 of 34
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
וְהָֽיְתָ֤ה
H1961
וְהָֽיְתָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
27 of 34
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
נַפְשׁ֔וֹ
be for his life
H5315
נַפְשׁ֔וֹ
be for his life
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
28 of 34
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
תַּ֣חַת
H8478
תַּ֣חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
29 of 34
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
נַפְשׁ֔וֹ
be for his life
H5315
נַפְשׁ֔וֹ
be for his life
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
30 of 34
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
א֥וֹ
H176
א֥וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
31 of 34
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
כִכַּר
a talent
H3603
כִכַּר
a talent
Strong's:
H3603
Word #:
32 of 34
a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l
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. Elijah's ministry (c. 860-850 BCE) occurred during Ahab's reign, a time of intense spiritual crisis in Israel.
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
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.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of ahab's wars with syria, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism.
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.