1 Kings 20:12

Authorized King James Version

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And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city.

Original Language Analysis

וַיְהִ֗י H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ And it came to pass when Benhadad heard H8085
כִּשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ And it came to pass when Benhadad heard
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 2 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדָּבָ֣ר this message H1697
הַדָּבָ֣ר this message
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 4 of 17
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּ֔ה H2088
הַזֶּ֔ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 5 of 17
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
וְה֥וּא H1931
וְה֥וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 6 of 17
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
שֹׁתֶ֛ה as he was drinking H8354
שֹׁתֶ֛ה as he was drinking
Strong's: H8354
Word #: 7 of 17
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
ה֥וּא H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 8 of 17
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
וְהַמְּלָכִ֖ים he and the kings H4428
וְהַמְּלָכִ֖ים he and the kings
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 9 of 17
a king
בַּסֻּכּ֑וֹת in the pavilions H5521
בַּסֻּכּ֑וֹת in the pavilions
Strong's: H5521
Word #: 10 of 17
a hut or lair
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר that he said H559
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר that he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 11 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 12 of 17
near, with or among; often in general, to
עֲבָדָיו֙ unto his servants H5650
עֲבָדָיו֙ unto his servants
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 13 of 17
a servant
וַיָּשִׂ֖ימוּ Set H7760
וַיָּשִׂ֖ימוּ Set
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 14 of 17
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
וַיָּשִׂ֖ימוּ Set H7760
וַיָּשִׂ֖ימוּ Set
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 15 of 17
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 16 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָעִֽיר׃ themselves in array against the city H5892
הָעִֽיר׃ themselves in array against the city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 17 of 17
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

Analysis & Commentary

And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city.

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.

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

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