1 Kings 20:3
1 Kings 20:3 in Multiple Translations
saying, “This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘Your silver and gold are mine, and your best wives and children are mine!’”
Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine.
Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine.
And they said to him, Ben-hadad says, Your silver and your gold are mine; and your wives and children are mine.
Your silver and gold belong to me now, and your best wives and children also belong to me!”
And sayd vnto him, Thus sayth Ben-hadad, Thy siluer and thy golde is mine: also thy women, and thy fayre children are mine.
and saith to him, 'Thus said Ben-Hadad, 'Thy silver and thy gold are mine, and thy wives and thy sons — the best — are mine.'
‘Your silver and your gold are mine. Your wives also and your children, even the best, are mine.’”
Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the most comely, are mine.
He said: Thus saith Benadad: Thy silver, and thy gold is mine: and thy wives, and thy goodliest children are mine.
‘You must give to me all your silver and gold, your ◄good-looking/most beautiful► wives/women and strongest children.’”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 20:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 20:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ל֗/וֹ
כֹּ֚ה
אָמַ֣ר
בֶּן
הֲדַ֔ד
כַּסְפְּ/ךָ֥
וּֽ/זְהָבְ/ךָ֖
לִֽ/י
ה֑וּא
וְ/נָשֶׁ֧י/ךָ
וּ/בָנֶ֛י/ךָ
הַ/טּוֹבִ֖ים
לִ/י
הֵֽם
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
ל֗/וֹ
Prep | Suff
כֹּ֚ה
kôh
H3541
thus
Adv
אָמַ֣ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
בֶּן
Ben-Hădad
H1130
Ben-hadad
N-proper
הֲדַ֔ד
Ben-Hădad
H1130
Ben-hadad
N-proper
כַּסְפְּ/ךָ֥
keçeph
H3701
silver
N-ms | Suff
וּֽ/זְהָבְ/ךָ֖
zâhâb
H2091
gold
Conj | N-ms | Suff
לִֽ/י
Prep | Suff
ה֑וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
וְ/נָשֶׁ֧י/ךָ
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Conj | N-fp | Suff
וּ/בָנֶ֛י/ךָ
bên
H1121
son
Conj | N-mp | Suff
הַ/טּוֹבִ֖ים
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Art | Adj
לִ/י
Prep | Suff
הֵֽם
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Pron
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 20:3
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
ל֗/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
כֹּ֚ה
kôh
H3541
"thus"
Adv
This Hebrew word means thus or in this manner. It can also indicate a location or time, such as here or now. The KJV translates it in various ways, including also, here, and so.
Definition: 1) thus, here, in this manner 1a) thus, so 1b) here, here and there 1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542)
Usage: Occurs in 541 OT verses. KJV: also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder. See also: Genesis 15:5; 1 Kings 22:20; Isaiah 7:7.
אָמַ֣ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
בֶּן
Ben-Hădad
H1130
"Ben-hadad"
N-proper
Ben-Hadad was a Syrian king during the Divided Monarchy, mentioned in 2 Kings 13:3. His name means son of the false god Hadad. He was a contemporary of Asa of Judah.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.13.3; son of: Hazael (H2371) § Ben-hadad = "son of [the false god] Hadad" 1) the king of Syria, contemporary with Asa of Judah 2) the son of Hazael, also king of Syria
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: Benhadad. See also: 1 Kings 15:18; 1 Kings 20:32; Jeremiah 49:27.
הֲדַ֔ד
Ben-Hădad
H1130
"Ben-hadad"
N-proper
Ben-Hadad was a Syrian king during the Divided Monarchy, mentioned in 2 Kings 13:3. His name means son of the false god Hadad. He was a contemporary of Asa of Judah.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.13.3; son of: Hazael (H2371) § Ben-hadad = "son of [the false god] Hadad" 1) the king of Syria, contemporary with Asa of Judah 2) the son of Hazael, also king of Syria
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: Benhadad. See also: 1 Kings 15:18; 1 Kings 20:32; Jeremiah 49:27.
כַּסְפְּ/ךָ֥
keçeph
H3701
"silver"
N-ms | Suff
Silver or money, often referring to payment or wealth, like the silver talents in Matthew 25. It can also describe silver as a valuable metal or ornament.
Definition: : money/payment/silver 1) silver, money 1a) silver 1a1) as metal 1a2) as ornament 1a3) as colour 1b) money, shekels, talents
Usage: Occurs in 343 OT verses. KJV: money, price, silver(-ling). See also: Genesis 13:2; Numbers 22:18; 2 Chronicles 1:17.
וּֽ/זְהָבְ/ךָ֖
zâhâb
H2091
"gold"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Definition: 1) gold 1a) as precious metal 1b) as a measure of weight 1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
Usage: Occurs in 336 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en), fair weather. See also: Genesis 2:11; Numbers 7:26; 1 Chronicles 28:17.
לִֽ/י
""
Prep | Suff
ה֑וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
וְ/נָשֶׁ֧י/ךָ
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Conj | N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
וּ/בָנֶ֛י/ךָ
bên
H1121
"son"
Conj | N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
הַ/טּוֹבִ֖ים
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
לִ/י
""
Prep | Suff
הֵֽם
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 20:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 20:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 20:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 20:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:3
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:3
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 20:3
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:3
- Sermons on 1 Kings 20:3
Context — Ben-hadad Attacks Samaria
1Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he marched up, besieged Samaria, and waged war against it.
2Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel,
3saying, “This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘Your silver and gold are mine, and your best wives and children are mine!’”
4And the king of Israel replied, “Just as you say, my lord the king: I am yours, along with all that I have.” 5The messengers came back and said, “This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘I have sent to you to demand your silver, your gold, your wives, and your children.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 15:9 | The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’ |
| 2 | Isaiah 10:13–14 | For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’” |
1 Kings 20:3 Summary
In 1 Kings 20:3, King Ben-hadad of Aram is making extreme demands of King Ahab of Israel, taking all of his silver, gold, wives, and children. This shows the great power and authority that Ben-hadad has over Ahab at this time. As we read this verse, we can think about times in our own lives when we feel overwhelmed or powerless, and remember that God is always with us and cares about our struggles, as promised in Isaiah 41:10 and Matthew 28:20. We can also reflect on the importance of humility and trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in the story of King Ahab and King Ben-hadad, and apply these lessons to our own lives, as encouraged in James 4:10 and 1 Peter 5:7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the historical context of 1 Kings 20:3?
The historical context of 1 Kings 20:3 is a time of war between the kingdom of Israel, led by King Ahab, and the kingdom of Aram, led by King Ben-hadad, as described in 1 Kings 20:1-2. This event is a significant moment in the history of Israel, as it shows the vulnerability of the kingdom to external threats.
Why does King Ben-hadad make such extreme demands of King Ahab in 1 Kings 20:3?
King Ben-hadad's demands in 1 Kings 20:3 are a demonstration of his power and authority over King Ahab, and are likely intended to intimidate and subjugate the king of Israel, as seen in similar conquests described in 2 Kings 15:29 and 2 Chronicles 28:5-6.
How does King Ahab's response to Ben-hadad's demands in 1 Kings 20:4 relate to the message of 1 Kings 20:3?
King Ahab's response to Ben-hadad's demands in 1 Kings 20:4 shows that he is willing to submit to Ben-hadad's authority, which is a direct result of the demands made in 1 Kings 20:3, and this submission can be compared to the surrender of other kings in the Bible, such as in 2 Kings 24:1 and Jeremiah 27:12.
What spiritual lessons can be learned from the interaction between King Ben-hadad and King Ahab in 1 Kings 20:3?
The interaction between King Ben-hadad and King Ahab in 1 Kings 20:3 teaches us about the dangers of pride and the importance of humility, as seen in Proverbs 16:18 and 1 Peter 5:6, and also highlights the need for trust in God's sovereignty, as expressed in Psalm 37:3-7 and Romans 8:28.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when faced with demands or pressures from others, and what can I learn from King Ahab's response in 1 Kings 20:4?
- In what ways can I apply the spiritual lessons of humility and trust in God's sovereignty from 1 Kings 20:3 to my own life and relationships?
- How can I balance the need to be strong and assertive with the need to be humble and submissive, as seen in the contrast between King Ben-hadad's demands and King Ahab's response?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be tempted to surrender to external pressures or demands, and how can I trust in God's power and provision instead, as seen in 2 Corinthians 9:8 and Philippians 4:19?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 20:3
Thy silver and thy gold is mine,.... Not of right, but reckoning it as good as in his hands, Ahab not being able to resist him: and thy wives also; for it seems he had more than Jezebel: and thy
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 20:3
Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine. Thy silver and thy gold is mine. The claim to the treasure is easily understood.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:3
I challenge them as my own, and accordingly expect to have them forthwith delivered into my possession, if thou expectest peace with me.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:3
1 Kings 20:3 Thy silver and thy gold [is] mine; thy wives also and thy children, [even] the goodliest, [are] mine.Ver. 3. Thy silver and thy gold is mine.] Non iure, sed imperio; not by any right that Benbadad had to it, but because he was at this time mightier than Ahab, and able, as he thought, to over power him. Thus a great dog worrieth a less, only because he is bigger and stronger. “ Sic cedit viribus aequum. ”
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 20:3
3. even the goodliest] These words are omitted in the LXX. The claim laid to the wives and children would in Oriental eyes amount to a deposition of the monarch, or a deprivation of his royal power. It was one of the first acts of a conqueror to seize the wives of the vanquished opponent. Ahab’s fear of going forth would encourage Ben-hadad to treat him thus, just as his submissive answer at first only led to larger demands on the part of the besieger.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:3
3. Thy silver and thy gold is mine — This demand was somewhat ambiguous and uncertain, and Ahab seems to have understood it as merely a proposition of Ben-hadad to raise the siege and go away from
Sermons on 1 Kings 20:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Practical Atheism, in Denying the Agency of Divine Providence, Exposed by Samuel Davies | Samuel Davies preaches about the prevalence of practical atheism in denying the agency of divine providence, exposing the consequences of settling on one's own understanding and ne |