Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away.

1 KINGS 20:6KJV
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1 Kings 20:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 20:6 mean?

1 Kings 20:6 records a threat from the king of Syria to the king of Israel, saying that Syrian servants will come the next day to search the royal palace and the homes of Israel’s officials, taking anything valuable or desirable. This is a demand for total surrender, not just of wealth but of anything the Israelites treasure.

In this verse, Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, is speaking to Ahab, the king of Israel. The situation is tense: Ben-Hadad has already demanded Israel’s silver, gold, wives, and children, and now he escalates by insisting his men will come and take whatever else they want. The verse shows the depth of humiliation and loss Israel faces if they submit, highlighting the seriousness of the threat and the pressure on Ahab.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 20:6

  • "Search" (חָפַשׂ, ḥāphas, H2664) means to look through or examine thoroughly. Here, it suggests the Syrians will not just take what is offered but will actively look for hidden or treasured items, making the demand even more invasive.
  • "Pleasant" (מַחְמַד, maḥmad, H4261) refers to something desirable or precious. This word emphasizes that the Syrians intend to take not only material wealth but anything the Israelites personally value, deepening the sense of loss.
  • "Hand" (יָד, yad, H3027) in this context means possession or control. The phrase “put it in their hand” shows the Syrians will take physical possession of whatever they choose, leaving the Israelites powerless.

Why 1 Kings 20:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Ben-Hadad’s demands go beyond tribute or taxes; he is demanding the right to violate personal and national boundaries, showing utter dominance.
  • The escalation from demanding specific treasures to “whatever is pleasant in your eyes” reveals the depth of humiliation intended for Israel and sets up the conflict that follows in the chapter.
  • Understanding the original words for “search” and “pleasant” highlights how thorough and personal the threat is, making clear why Ahab and his advisors see this as intolerable.

Where else these words appear

“pleasant” Hebrew H4261 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 36:19 And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.
  • Lamentations 1:11 All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.
  • Ezekiel 24:25 Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters,

“search” Hebrew H2664 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 31:35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.
  • 2 Kings 10:23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.
  • Proverbs 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

“morrow” Hebrew H4279 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 30:33 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.
  • Joshua 3:5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.
  • 1 Samuel 20:18 Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

“be” Hebrew H1961 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Exodus 12:4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
  • 2 Samuel 7:24 For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.