1 Kings 20 7

1 Kings 20:7 kjv

Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.

1 Kings 20:7 nkjv

So the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, "Notice, please, and see how this man seeks trouble, for he sent to me for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold; and I did not deny him."

1 Kings 20:7 niv

The king of Israel summoned all the elders of the land and said to them, "See how this man is looking for trouble! When he sent for my wives and my children, my silver and my gold, I did not refuse him."

1 Kings 20:7 esv

Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, "Mark, now, and see how this man is seeking trouble, for he sent to me for my wives and my children, and for my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him."

1 Kings 20:7 nlt

Then Ahab summoned all the elders of the land and said to them, "Look how this man is stirring up trouble! I already agreed with his demand that I give him my wives and children and silver and gold."

1 Kings 20 verses

1 Kings 20 7 Meaning

In 1 Kings 20:7, King Ahab of Israel convened the esteemed elders of the land to reveal Ben-Hadad, the King of Aram's, insatiable and malicious intent. Ahab informed them that despite his full compliance with the initial, severe demands for his wives, children, silver, and gold, Ben-Hadad continued to seek greater affliction and humiliation for Israel. This appeal aimed to gain unanimous support for resistance against such unreasonable and invasive demands, highlighting Ben-Hadad's true purpose was not peace or tribute, but total subjugation.

1 Kings 20 7 Context

1 Kings chapter 20 opens with Ben-Hadad, the Aramean king, assembling his forces and laying siege to Samaria, the capital of Israel. He initially sent a messenger to King Ahab with severe demands: his silver, gold, and the best of his wives and children as tribute. Surprisingly, Ahab, perhaps hoping to avoid a prolonged siege or war, acquiesced to these humiliating terms (1 Kgs 20:3-4). However, Ben-Hadad's subsequent demand escalated. In 1 Kings 20:6, he threatened to send his servants the next day to seize anything pleasing to them, including even more personal possessions, forcefully. This outrageous escalation, exceeding standard tribute and deeply invading personal and royal dignity by threatening wives and children and the entire royal treasury, pushed Ahab to the breaking point. Verse 7 is Ahab's direct response to this egregious overreach. Realizing Ben-Hadad’s true intent was total subjugation and exploitation rather than a negotiated peace, Ahab calls his most trusted advisors, the elders of the land, to gain their consensus and support for resisting such tyranny. This moment represents a crucial turning point, where even a king known for his unfaithfulness and weakness recognizes an intolerable violation of national sovereignty and personal honor, leading to the decision for a unified resistance.

1 Kings 20 7 Word analysis

• Then the king of Israel: This refers to Ahab, one of the most notoriously wicked kings of Israel, infamous for promoting Baal worship through his wife Jezebel. However, here he acts as the practical ruler of his nation. His immediate consultation signifies the gravity of Ben-Hadad's escalated threat, implying a need for collective endorsement before engaging in what could be a ruinous war.
• called all the elders of the land: The term 'elders' (Hebrew: zaqen, זָקֵן) signifies not just aged men, but respected, experienced, and authoritative figures within the community. These individuals often served as local leaders, judges, and advisors (e.g., Exod 3:16; Num 11:16). Their presence underscores Ahab's attempt to unite national resolve. Calling all of them suggests the severity of the crisis, requiring universal counsel and legitimizing a drastic course of action (war).
• and said, 'Know and see how this man is seeking trouble;
  • Know and see (Hebrew: de'u u-r'u, דְעוּ וּרְאוּ): An emphatic command, urging the elders to fully grasp and discern Ben-Hadad's true, malevolent intentions. It's an appeal to their wisdom and judgment, urging them to look beyond the immediate demands to the sinister purpose behind them.
  • this man: A derogatory or dismissive reference to Ben-Hadad, the Syrian king. This personalizes the affront, framing Ben-Hadad not merely as a king demanding tribute but as an unprincipled individual intent on exploitation.
  • is seeking trouble (Hebrew: mala'kah ra'ah, מְלָאכָה רָעָה): Literally, "evil work" or "bad business." This phrase goes beyond simple demands; it indicates a malicious enterprise or plot. Ben-Hadad is not pursuing fair terms but an act of malevolence and ruin against Israel, demonstrating his destructive intent beyond customary tribute. This term highlights his intention to bring affliction, devastation, or outright conquest, irrespective of compliance.
• for he sent to me for my wives and my children,
  • my wives and my children: In the ancient Near East, taking a king's wives and children was the ultimate act of humiliation and conquest, symbolizing the complete subjugation and nullification of his lineage and rule (cf. 2 Sam 12:11). Ben-Hadad's demand wasn't merely for ransom, but an assertion of complete control over Ahab's dynasty, demonstrating an attempt to erase his dignity and potential succession, signifying total destruction. This deeply personal insult elevates the crisis beyond typical geopolitical maneuvering.
• and for my silver and my gold,
  • my silver and my gold: While gold and silver were typical tribute, Ben-Hadad’s demand for all of it (implied by the un-withheld status) in conjunction with family, followed by a threat of taking whatever was pleasant (v.6), confirmed his boundless greed and rapacity. It also revealed a breach of good faith regarding the initial concession.
• and I did not withhold them from him.': Ahab emphasizes his initial full compliance. This statement is crucial; it proves that Ahab fulfilled his part of the implicit agreement, showing his willingness to avoid conflict, and simultaneously demonstrates Ben-Hadad's absolute perfidy and insatiable demands. It establishes Ben-Hadad as the aggressor who violated an unspoken code, justifying Israel's subsequent resistance as defensive.

1 Kings 20 7 Bonus Section

• The appeal to "all the elders of the land" shows a degree of governance and political structure in Israel even under wicked kings like Ahab. It implies that kings, though powerful, were still expected to consult with, and perhaps gain consent from, influential regional leaders for major national decisions, especially concerning war.
• This verse provides an example of divine providence working through unlikely figures. Though Ahab was unfaithful to Yahweh, the Lord still intervened in this narrative, giving Israel victory through Him (see 1 Kgs 20:13, 28) and preserving His people despite the failings of their leader.
• The Aramean demands served to solidify Ahab’s precarious hold on popular support. Faced with an undeniable threat to national and personal dignity, Israel rallied around their king, validating their subsequent actions in defending their borders and future.
• The language "seeking trouble" suggests pre-meditated malice rather than merely opportunism. Ben-Hadad’s goal was not merely wealth but the breakdown of the opponent. This stands as a subtle polemic against unjust rule, contrasting with the righteous standards of God's covenant.

1 Kings 20 7 Commentary

1 Kings 20:7 serves as the hinge point in the confrontation between Ahab and Ben-Hadad, revealing the nature of true tyranny. Ben-Hadad's escalating demands, culminating in the seizure of Ahab's family and "anything pleasant," were designed to utterly break Ahab and effectively dissolve the sovereignty of Israel. This went beyond standard ancient Near Eastern tribute or even a conqueror’s spoils; it was an act of complete personal and national emasculation. By consulting the elders, Ahab, surprisingly for his character, acts responsibly as a leader. He understands that this situation transcends personal interest, becoming an existential threat to the nation’s very being. The elders’ unanimous agreement in the next verse demonstrates their understanding of this malicious intent. This verse implicitly teaches about the limits of concession and the necessity of unified resistance when faced with an insatiably cruel and unjust oppressor, reinforcing the idea that peace at any cost is not always righteousness. It's a reminder that wisdom can come from unexpected sources, even a morally flawed leader seeking sound counsel during a national crisis.