1 Kings 20 35

1 Kings 20:35 kjv

And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbor in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him.

1 Kings 20:35 nkjv

Now a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his neighbor by the word of the LORD, "Strike me, please." And the man refused to strike him.

1 Kings 20:35 niv

By the word of the LORD one of the company of the prophets said to his companion, "Strike me with your weapon," but he refused.

1 Kings 20:35 esv

And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his fellow at the command of the LORD, "Strike me, please." But the man refused to strike him.

1 Kings 20:35 nlt

Meanwhile, the LORD instructed one of the group of prophets to say to another man, "Hit me!" But the man refused to hit the prophet.

1 Kings 20 verses

1 Kings 20 35 Meaning

This verse details an unusual divine command given by an unnamed prophet to another man, identified as his neighbor and potentially a fellow "son of the prophets." The command, explicitly stated as "by the word of the LORD," was for the neighbor to strike the prophet. The verse concludes with the neighbor's deliberate refusal to obey this divine instruction, setting the stage for subsequent judgment. This refusal serves as a crucial point within the narrative, highlighting the severe consequences of disobedience to God's direct word, especially when conveyed through His appointed messenger.

1 Kings 20 35 Context

This verse occurs immediately following King Ahab's unexpected victory over Ben-Hadad, King of Aram. Instead of utterly destroying Ben-Hadad as implied by God's initial promise of victory and Israelite war customs (similar to the concept of herem or "devoted for destruction"), Ahab foolishly made a covenant with him. This act of mercy toward an enemy God intended to judge was a direct disobedience. The prophet in verse 35 appears as God's messenger to confront Ahab for this transgression. The specific context involves the delivery of a divine message concerning God's judgment upon Ahab for his misjudgment and defiance. The prophetic act described here is part of a larger object lesson and serves as a legal analogy: the initial prophet acts on God's command to incur an injury to portray a prisoner in battle. The refusal of the "neighbor" to cooperate with God's word then becomes a parallel to Ahab's own refusal to cooperate with God's stated will regarding Ben-Hadad, drawing a clear moral equivalence between two acts of disobedience. The overarching narrative of 1 Kings frequently highlights the recurring cycle of obedience and disobedience by Israel's kings and the subsequent divine consequences.

1 Kings 20 35 Word analysis

• Now a certain man (וְאִישׁ אֶחָד, wə’îš ’eḥād): "A certain man" emphasizes the anonymity. This prophet, though unnamed, represents God's authoritative voice. His anonymity perhaps universalizes the message or underscores that it's God's message, not the prophet's personality, that matters.
• of the sons of the prophets (מִבְּנֵי הַנְּבִיאִים, mibbnê hannᵊḇîʾîm): This phrase denotes a group of individuals associated with prophetic guilds or schools, likely disciples or apprentices under a senior prophet (like Elijah or Elisha). They served, learned, and delivered messages, sometimes living in communities. Being part of this group suggests they are more aware of divine commands and the prophetic office, making their actions—or inaction—particularly significant.
• said to his neighbor (אֶל-רֵעֵהוּ, ’el-rēʿēhû): The term "neighbor" (rēaʿ) typically refers to a close associate, friend, or fellow member of the community. In this context, it could imply a fellow "son of the prophets," making the subsequent refusal even more stark, as it comes from someone who should understand the gravity of a divine word.
• by the word of the LORD (בְּדְבַר יְהוָה, bidḇar YHWH): This is a crucial declarative phrase. It explicitly attributes the command's origin to God Himself. This isn't the prophet's personal request but a direct divine mandate, making obedience a matter of faithfulness to God, not merely a favor to a peer. This highlights God's sovereignty and His right to command even unusual actions.
• 'Strike me, please.' (הַכֵּינִי נָא, hakēnî nā’): The verb hakkeh (הכה) means "to strike" or "to smite," often used in contexts of violence or judgment. The accompanying nāʾ (נָא) functions as a particle of entreaty or urgency, emphasizing the immediate need for compliance. This seemingly strange and painful request is a prophetic sign-act—the prophet needs to appear injured in battle to act out a parable before King Ahab, later depicting himself as a soldier from the recent war (1 Kgs 20:37).
• But the man refused to strike him. (וַיְמָאֵן הָאִישׁ לְהַכֹּתוֹ, waymāʾēn hāʾîš ləhakōtō): The Hebrew verb waymāʾēn (וַיְמָאֵן) means "to refuse" or "to decline," indicating a deliberate and conscious decision not to comply. This is not accidental but an act of outright disobedience, highlighting a rejection of the divine word conveyed through the prophet.

• "said to his neighbor by the word of the LORD, 'Strike me, please.'": This phrase meticulously links the unusual request with its divine authority. It establishes that the command, no matter how counter-intuitive or physically uncomfortable for the one asked, originates directly from God and must be obeyed without question. It’s a test of faith and obedience to God through His messenger.
• "'Strike me, please.' But the man refused to strike him.": This concise pairing vividly sets up the conflict: divine command versus human reluctance. The immediate consequence of refusal, outlined in the subsequent verse (1 Kgs 20:36), underscores the seriousness of rejecting God's direct word. The refusal of this unnamed man perfectly parallels Ahab's refusal to utterly destroy Ben-Hadad according to God's implied will, thus setting a clear example of what defiance of God’s word entails.

1 Kings 20 35 Bonus section

The concept of a "prophetic sign-act" is crucial here. Throughout the Old Testament, prophets frequently acted out messages to provide a tangible, visual, and sometimes uncomfortable illustration of God's coming judgment or blessing. These actions were not spontaneous outbursts but divinely ordained symbolic performances (e.g., Jeremiah wearing a yoke, Ezekiel lying on his side). The act of being struck (to appear wounded) was essential for the unnamed prophet's dramatic presentation to King Ahab, where he impersonates a soldier recounting the recent battle and King Ahab's subsequent failure. The severity of the penalty for the first "neighbor's" disobedience—death by a lion in the very next verse (1 Kgs 20:36)—underscores the absolute nature of God's commands and the immediate and strict accountability required from those who receive His word. This immediate and stark judgment emphasizes the solemnity of divine revelation and foreshadows the certain judgment awaiting King Ahab. The anonymous nature of both the prophet delivering the command and the man who refused highlights that divine commands and the call to obedience apply to anyone given the Lord's word, irrespective of their perceived status or public prominence.

1 Kings 20 35 Commentary

1 Kings 20:35 is a pivotal moment, a concise snapshot of God's unyielding demand for absolute obedience. It describes a test, delivered "by the word of the LORD," through one prophet to another, or at least a man who should recognize divine authority. The request for a strike was not arbitrary; it was a required action for the prophet's later symbolic performance before Ahab, illustrating the consequences of the king's recent disobedience in sparing Ben-Hadad. The "neighbor's" refusal, despite the clear divine mandate, becomes a mini-parable for Ahab's own sin. God's judgment, as demonstrated by the lion in the following verse, highlights that direct divine commands, however strange or challenging, are non-negotiable and refusal incurs severe consequences. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that obedience is not about understanding the logic of God's commands, but about trusting and submitting to the One who issues them. Practical application: It stresses the seriousness of God's revealed will; we are called to obedience even when His ways are beyond our full comprehension or comfort.