And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.

1 KINGS 20:42KJV
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1 Kings 20:42 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 20:42 mean?

1 Kings 20:42 records a message from God delivered by a prophet to King Ahab, saying that because Ahab let go the man God had marked for destruction, Ahab’s own life and the lives of his people would be taken in exchange. The verse is a warning of judgment for disobeying God’s clear command.

The prophet is speaking directly to King Ahab after Ahab spared Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, whom God had determined should be destroyed. Instead of carrying out God’s judgment, Ahab made a treaty with Ben-Hadad. This verse explains the consequence: Ahab’s disobedience would cost him dearly, both personally and for his nation.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 20:42

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that the message comes with divine authority, not just human opinion.
  • destruction (חֵרֶם, cherem): This word refers to something devoted to destruction, often used for things or people set apart for God’s judgment. It shows that Ben-Hadad was not just any enemy, but someone God had specifically marked for complete destruction.
  • life (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh): Used twice here, this word can mean “life,” “soul,” or “person.” The repetition stresses the direct exchange: Ahab’s life for Ben-Hadad’s, and the people of Israel for the people of Syria.
  • people (עָם, am): This word highlights that the consequences of Ahab’s actions would affect not just him, but the whole nation.

Why 1 Kings 20:42 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Ahab’s failure was not just a political mistake, but a spiritual disobedience with serious consequences, as God’s command was clear.
  • The use of the word חֵרֶם (cherem) connects this event to earlier stories in Israel’s history where certain people or things were set apart for destruction, showing a pattern of how seriously God treats such commands.
  • The verse sets up the coming chapters, where the consequences for Ahab and Israel begin to unfold, helping the reader understand the reason behind later events in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“destruction” Hebrew H2764 · used in 31 verses

  • Leviticus 27:21 But the field, when it goeth out in the jubile, shall be holy unto the LORD, as a field devoted; the possession thereof shall be the priest's.
  • Joshua 7:12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
  • Ezekiel 26:14 And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.