Key Verse Spotlight
1 Kings 20:38 — Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing—and how to apply it today
King James Version
" So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face. "
1 Kings 20:38
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.
Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him.
So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.
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.
And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
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From This Chapter
1 Kings 20:1
"And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered ➔ all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it."
1 Kings 20:2
"And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Benhadad,"
1 Kings 20:3
"Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine."
1 Kings 20:4
"And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have."
1 Kings 20:5
"And the messengers came again, and said, Thus speaketh Benhadad, saying, Although I have sent unto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children;"
1 Kings 20:6
"Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away."
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