1 Kings 15:20
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע
hearkened
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע
hearkened
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 31
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הֲדַ֜ד
So Benhadad
H1130
הֲדַ֜ד
So Benhadad
Strong's:
H1130
Word #:
3 of 31
ben-hadad, the name of several syrian kings, possibly a royal title
וַ֠יִּשְׁלַח
and sent
H7971
וַ֠יִּשְׁלַח
and sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
7 of 31
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַֽחֲיָלִ֤ים
of the hosts
H2428
הַֽחֲיָלִ֤ים
of the hosts
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
10 of 31
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 31
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עָרֵ֣י
which he had against the cities
H5892
עָרֵ֣י
which he had against the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
14 of 31
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
15 of 31
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיַּךְ֙
and smote
H5221
וַיַּךְ֙
and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
16 of 31
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דָּ֔ן
and Dan
H1835
דָּ֔ן
and Dan
Strong's:
H1835
Word #:
20 of 31
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
וְאֵ֖ת
H853
וְאֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַעֲכָ֑ה
and Abelbethmaachah
H62
מַעֲכָ֑ה
and Abelbethmaachah
Strong's:
H62
Word #:
24 of 31
abel of beth-maakah, a place in palestine
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
25 of 31
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 #:
26 of 31
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כִּנְר֔וֹת
and all Cinneroth
H3672
כִּנְר֔וֹת
and all Cinneroth
Strong's:
H3672
Word #:
27 of 31
kinneroth or kinnereth, a place in palestine
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
28 of 31
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
29 of 31
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
2 Kings 15:29In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.Judges 18:29And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at the first.Joshua 11:2And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,Joshua 12:3And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Beth-jeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdoth-pisgah:1 Kings 12:29And he set the one in Beth-el, and the other put he in Dan.
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
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.
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 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.