1 Kings 20:35 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 20:35 mean?

1 Kings 20:35 describes how one of the "sons of the prophets" spoke to his neighbor, telling him—by the word of the LORD—to strike him, but the neighbor refused to do so. This sets up a prophetic action where the prophet is acting under God's instruction, even though the request seems unusual.

In this scene, a member of a prophetic group approaches another person and asks to be struck, saying it is a command from God. The refusal of the neighbor to strike the prophet is significant, as it shows a hesitation to obey a difficult or strange command that is said to come from God. This moment is part of a larger story where prophets use dramatic actions to deliver God’s messages, often to get the attention of the king or the people.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 20:35

• "sons of the prophets" (בְּנֵי הַנְּבִיאִים, b'nei han'vi'im): This phrase refers to a group or community of prophets, not literal sons, but disciples or followers who were trained in prophetic ministry. It highlights that prophecy was sometimes a shared or communal activity.
• "in the word of the LORD" (בִּדְבַר יְהוָה, bid'var YHWH): This phrase means the prophet's request was not personal but was given as a direct message from God. It emphasizes the authority and seriousness of the command.
• "Smite" (נָכָה, nakah): This word means to strike or hit, often with force. The use of this word shows that the prophet was asking for a real, physical blow, not just a symbolic gesture.

Why 1 Kings 20:35 matters

• This verse shows that prophets sometimes acted out God's messages in dramatic ways, using actions as well as words to make a point.
• The refusal of the neighbor to obey the prophet’s request highlights the tension between human reluctance and obedience to God’s word, especially when the command seems strange or uncomfortable.
• This moment sets up the next part of the story, where the consequences of not following God's instructions—even through a prophet—become clear, and it draws attention to the seriousness of listening to God's voice.