And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.

1 KINGS 22:36KJV
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1 Kings 22:36 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 22:36 mean?

1 Kings 22:36 describes a public announcement made to the Israelite army at sunset, telling every soldier to return home to his own city and land. This proclamation signals the end of the battle and the dispersal of the troops after King Ahab’s death.

The verse takes place after a major battle between Israel and Aram (Syria), where King Ahab of Israel has just died. The proclamation is likely made by military leaders or messengers to the soldiers, letting them know the fight is over and instructing them to go back to their homes. This marks a turning point, as the army is dismissed and the campaign comes to an abrupt end.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 22:36

  • "proclamation" (רִנָּה, rinnah): This word often means a loud cry, shout, or call. Here, it refers to an official announcement, likely shouted or carried through the ranks so everyone would hear.
  • "host" (מַחֲנֶה, machaneh): This word means camp or army. It clarifies that the announcement was made to the assembled troops, not just a small group.
  • "sun" (שֶׁמֶשׁ, shemesh): The mention of the sun going down marks the timing—at sunset, a natural time for ending a day’s events or battle.
  • "country" (אֶרֶץ, erets): This word can mean land, country, or territory. It emphasizes that soldiers were to return not just to their cities, but to their home regions or lands.

Why 1 Kings 22:36 matters

  • The verse highlights the sudden end of the campaign after Ahab’s death, showing how the fate of a king could immediately change the direction of an entire army.
  • It connects to the larger story by fulfilling the prophecy that Ahab would not return safely, and that his death would scatter his people.
  • The public nature of the proclamation underlines the orderliness of the army’s dispersal, rather than a chaotic retreat, which helps explain the aftermath of the battle in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“proclamation” Hebrew H7440 · used in 33 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
  • Psalms 106:44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
  • Isaiah 43:14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

“sun” Hebrew H8121 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
  • 2 Samuel 2:24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.