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1 Kings 20:7

5 The 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.

6 But about this time tomorrow I will send my servants to search your palace and the houses of your servants. They will seize and carry away all that is precious to you.’”

Then the king of Israel summoned all the elders of the land and said, “Please take note and see that this man is looking for trouble, for when he demanded my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold, I did not deny him.”

8 And the elders and the people all said, “Do not listen to him or consent to his terms.”

9 So Ahab answered the messengers of Ben-hadad, “Tell my lord the king, ‘All that you demanded of your servant the first time I will do, but this thing I cannot do.’” So the messengers departed and relayed the message to Ben-hadad.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Then the king of Israel summoned all the elders of the land and said, “Please take note and see that this man is looking for trouble, for when he demanded my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold, I did not deny him.”
KJV
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.
WEB
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, “Please notice how this man seeks mischief; for he sent to me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I didn’t deny him.”
ASV
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.
DARBY
And the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this [man] seeks mischief; for he sent to me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.
BLB
And the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, “Know, please, and see that this one seeks evil, for he sent to me for my wives and my children and my silver and my gold, and I did not withhold from him.”
ÅB
Da kalte Israels konge alle landets eldste til seg og sa: Nå ser dere vel grant at han bare vil oss ondt! Han sendte bud til meg og krevde mine hustruer og mine barn, mitt sølv og mitt gull, og jeg nektet ham det ikke.
OTB
Da kalte Israels konge sammen alle landets eldste og sa: "Vær så snill å legge merke til hvordan denne mannen søker trøbbel. Han sendte etter mine koner, mine barn, mitt sølv og mitt gull, og jeg nektet ham ikke."
B1930
Da kalte Israels konge alle landets eldste til sig og sa: Nu ser I vel grant at han bare vil oss ondt! Han sendte bud til mig og krevde mine hustruer og mine barn, mitt sølv og mitt gull, og jeg nektet ham det ikke.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Kings 5:7

    When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper? Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me!”

    Read in context

  • Daniel 11:27

    And the two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will speak lies at the same table, but to no avail, for still the end will come at the appointed time.

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 11:27

    He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.

    Read in context

  • 1 Chronicles 28:1

    Now David summoned all the leaders of Israel to Jerusalem: the leaders of the tribes, the leaders of the divisions in the king’s service, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and cattle of the king and his sons, along with the court officials and mighty men—every mighty man of valor.

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 11:14

    For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 140:2

    who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 8:1

    At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David.

    Read in context

  • 1 Chronicles 13:1

    Then David conferred with all his leaders, the commanders of hundreds and of thousands.

    Read in context