1 Kings 20:36
New International Version
So the prophet said, “Because you have not obeyed the LORD, as soon as you leave me a lion will kill you.” And after the man went away, a lion found him and killed him.

New Living Translation
Then the prophet told him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, a lion will kill you as soon as you leave me.” And when he had gone, a lion did attack and kill him.

English Standard Version
Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you have gone from me, a lion shall strike you down.” And as soon as he had departed from him, a lion met him and struck him down.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.” And when he left, a lion found him and killed him.

King James Bible
Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.

New King James Version
Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, surely, as soon as you depart from me, a lion shall kill you.” And as soon as he left him, a lion found him and killed him.

New American Standard Bible
Then he said to him, “Because you have not listened to the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you leave me, a lion will kill you.” And as soon as he left him a lion found him and killed him.

NASB 1995
Then he said to him, “Because you have not listened to the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you have departed from me, a lion will kill you.” And as soon as he had departed from him a lion found him and killed him.

NASB 1977
Then he said to him, “Because you have not listened to the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you have departed from me, a lion will kill you.” And as soon as he had departed from him a lion found him, and killed him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he said to him, “Because you have not listened to the voice of Yahweh, behold, as soon as you walk away from me, a lion will strike you down.” And as soon as he had walked away from him, a lion found him and struck him down.

Amplified Bible
Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you leave me, a lion will kill you.” And as soon as he left him, a lion found him and killed him.

Christian Standard Bible
He told him, “Because you did not listen to the LORD, mark my words: When you leave me, a lion will kill you.” When he left him, a lion attacked and killed him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He told him, “Because you did not listen to the voice of the LORD, mark my words: When you leave me, a lion will kill you.” When he left him, a lion attacked and killed him.

American Standard Version
Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of Jehovah, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.

Contemporary English Version
and the prophet told him, "You disobeyed the LORD, and as soon as you walk away, a lion will kill you." The friend left, and suddenly a lion killed him.

English Revised Version
Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The disciple said, "Since you didn't obey the LORD, a lion will kill you when you leave me." When the friend left, a lion found him and killed him.

Good News Translation
so he said to him, "Because you have disobeyed the LORD's command, a lion will kill you as soon as you leave me." And as soon as he left, a lion came along and killed him.

International Standard Version
so he told him, "Because you haven't obeyed the LORD's voice, as soon as you leave here, a lion will kill you." As soon as the man left, a lion found him and killed him.

Majority Standard Bible
Then the prophet said to him, ?Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.? And when he left, a lion found him and killed him.

NET Bible
So the prophet said to him, "Because you have disobeyed the LORD, as soon as you leave me a lion will kill you." When he left him, a lion attacked and killed him.

New Heart English Bible
Then he said to him, "Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, look, as soon as you are departed from me, a lion shall kill you." As soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and killed him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said he to him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou hast departed from me, a lion will slay thee. And as soon as he had departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.

World English Bible
Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed Yahweh’s voice, behold, as soon as you have departed from me, a lion will kill you.” As soon as he had departed from him, a lion found him and killed him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he says to him, “Because that you have not listened to the voice of YHWH, behold, you are going from me, and the lion has struck you”; and he goes from him, and the lion finds him, and strikes him.

Young's Literal Translation
and he saith to him, 'Because that thou hast not hearkened to the voice of Jehovah, lo, thou art going from me, and the lion hath smitten thee;' and he goeth from him, and the lion findeth him, and smiteth him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to him, Because thou heardst not to the voice of Jehovah, behold thee going from me, and the lion striking thee. And he will go from beside him, and the lion will find him and strike him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then he said to him: Because thou wouldst not hearken to the word of the Lord, behold then shalt depart from me, and a lion shall slay thee. And when he was gone a little from him, a lion found him, and slew him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to him: “Because you were not willing to heed the voice of the Lord, behold, you will depart from me, and a lion will slay you. And when he had departed a short distance from him, a lion found him, and slew him.

New American Bible
Then he said to him, “Since you did not obey the voice of the LORD, a lion will attack you when you leave me.” When he left him, a lion came upon him and attacked him.

New Revised Standard Version
Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you have left me, a lion will kill you.” And when he had left him, a lion met him and killed him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he said to him, Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, behold, as soon as you are departed from me, a lion shall slay you. And as soon as he departed from him, a lion found him and slew him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He said to him: “Because you have not listened to the voice of LORD JEHOVAH your God, behold, you are going from my presence, and a lion will kill you!” And he went on from his presence, and a lion found him and killed him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said he unto him: 'Because thou hast not heartened to the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee.' And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him; and slew him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to him, Because thou hast not hearkened to the voice of the Lord, therefore, behold, as thou departest from me, a lion shall smite thee: and he departed from him, and a lion found him, and smote him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Prophet Reproves Ahab
35Meanwhile, by the word of the LORD, one of the sons of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me, please!” But the man refused to strike him. 36Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.” And when he left, a lion found him and killed him. 37Then the prophet found another man and said, “Strike me, please!” So the man struck him and wounded him,…

Cross References
2 Kings 2:23-24
From there, Elisha went up to Bethel, and as he was walking up the road, a group of boys came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” / Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.

Acts 5:1-11
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. / With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. / Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? ...

2 Samuel 6:6-7
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.

Numbers 15:30-31
But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people. / He shall certainly be cut off, because he has despised the word of the LORD and broken His commandment; his guilt remains on him.”

Leviticus 10:1-2
Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. / So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD.

Deuteronomy 17:12
But the man who acts presumptuously, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, or to the judge, must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel.

2 Kings 1:9-12
Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” / Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” ...

1 Samuel 15:22-23
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

Hebrews 10:28-29
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. / How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

Acts 12:21-23
On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people. / And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” / Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

1 Corinthians 10:9-10
We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. / And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.

Joshua 7:1-5
The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites. / Meanwhile, Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. / On returning to Joshua, they reported, “There is no need to send all the people; two or three thousand men are enough to go up and attack Ai. Since the people of Ai are so few, you need not wear out all our people there.” ...

2 Chronicles 26:16-21
But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. / Then Azariah the priest, along with eighty brave priests of the LORD, went in after him. / They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.” ...

Isaiah 30:1
“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin.

Ezekiel 20:38
And I will purge you of those who rebel and transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land in which they dwell, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said he to him, Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you are departed from me, a lion shall slay you. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.

disguised

1 Kings 14:2
And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people.

1 Kings 22:30
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.

2 Samuel 14:2
And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

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1 Kings 20
1. Ben-Hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria
13. By the direction of a prophet, the Syrians are slain
22. As the prophet forewarned Ahab, the Syrians come against him in Aphek
28. By the word of the prophet, and God's judgment, the Syrians are smitten again
31. The Syrians submit; Ahab sends Ben-Hadad away with a covenant
35. The prophet, under the parable of a prisoner,
39. making Ahab judge himself, denounces God's judgment against him














Then the prophet said to him
In the context of 1 Kings 20, the prophet is delivering a message from God. Prophets in the Old Testament served as God's mouthpieces, often delivering messages of warning or judgment. This particular prophet is unnamed, emphasizing the focus on the message rather than the messenger. Prophets were integral in guiding Israel, often confronting kings and leaders with God's truth.

Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD
Obedience to God's commands is a central theme throughout the Bible. In the historical context of Israel, obedience was tied to the covenant relationship between God and His people. Disobedience often led to dire consequences, as seen in the stories of Saul (1 Samuel 15) and Jonah (Jonah 1). This phrase underscores the seriousness of disregarding divine instructions.

as soon as you depart from me
The immediacy of the consequence highlights the urgency and certainty of God's judgment. In biblical narratives, prophetic words often come to pass swiftly, demonstrating God's sovereignty and the reliability of His word. This immediacy serves as a warning to the audience about the seriousness of the situation.

a lion will kill you
Lions in the biblical context are often symbols of judgment and power. In the ancient Near East, lions were feared predators, and their presence in a narrative often signified divine intervention or judgment (as seen in the story of Daniel in the lion's den, Daniel 6). The use of a lion here emphasizes the severity of the punishment for disobedience.

And when he left, a lion found him and killed him
The fulfillment of the prophet's words demonstrates the certainty of God's judgment. This event parallels other instances in Scripture where God's word is fulfilled precisely as spoken, reinforcing the theme of divine justice. The immediate fulfillment serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the authority of God's word.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Prophet
A man of God who delivers a message of judgment. His role is to convey God's commands and consequences for disobedience.

2. The Disobedient Man
An unnamed individual who fails to heed the prophet's command, representing a broader theme of disobedience to God's word.

3. The Lion
A literal instrument of God's judgment, symbolizing the immediate and severe consequences of disobedience.

4. The Voice of the LORD
Represents God's direct command, emphasizing the importance of obedience to divine instructions.

5. The Event of Judgment
The swift execution of divine judgment serves as a warning about the seriousness of disobeying God's commands.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of Obedience
Obedience to God's word is non-negotiable. The immediate consequence faced by the disobedient man in 1 Kings 20:36 serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness with which God views His commands.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets are God's messengers, and their words carry divine authority. Ignoring their messages is equivalent to ignoring God Himself.

Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God can lead to severe and immediate consequences. This passage encourages believers to reflect on their own lives and ensure they are living in accordance with God's will.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God is sovereign and just in His judgments. The use of a lion as an instrument of judgment demonstrates God's control over creation and His ability to execute justice in unexpected ways.

The Importance of Listening to God's Voice
Believers are called to be attentive to God's voice, whether through Scripture, prayer, or the counsel of godly individuals. Ignoring God's voice can lead to spiritual and physical peril.(36) A lion shall slay thee.--It is obvious to compare the example of 1Kings 13:24.

Verse 36. - Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the Lord, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion [Heb. the lion, perhaps the lion appointed already to this office, or one that had lately been seen in the neighbourhood] shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a [Heb. the] lion found him [same word as in 1 Kings 13:24, where see note], and slew him [For the same sin as that of "the man of God (1 Kings 13:21, 26), viz., disobedience (Deuteronomy 32:24; Jeremiah 5:6), and disobedience, too, under circumstances remarkably similar to those. In fact, the two histories run on almost parallel lines. In each case it is a prophet who disobeys, and disobeys the "word of the Lord;" in each case the disobedience appears almost excusable; in each case the prophet appears to be hardly dealt with, and suffers instant punishment, whilst the king escapes; in each case the punishment is foretold by a prophet; in each case it is effected by the instrumentality of a lion. And in each case the lesson is the same - that God's commands must be kept, whatever the cost, or that stern retribution will inevitably follow.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then [the prophet] said
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to him,
ל֗וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

“Because
יַ֚עַן (ya·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3282: Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause

you have not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

obeyed
שָׁמַ֙עְתָּ֙ (šā·ma‘·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the voice
בְּק֣וֹל (bə·qō·wl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

as soon as
הִנְּךָ֤ (hin·nə·ḵā)
Interjection | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

you depart
הוֹלֵךְ֙ (hō·w·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

from me
מֵֽאִתִּ֔י (mê·’it·tî)
Preposition-m | Direct object marker | first person common singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

a lion
הָאַרְיֵ֑ה (hā·’ar·yêh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 738: A lion

will kill you.”
וְהִכְּךָ֖ (wə·hik·kə·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

And when he left,
וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

a lion
הָאַרְיֵ֖ה (hā·’ar·yêh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 738: A lion

found him
וַיִּמְצָאֵ֥הוּ (way·yim·ṣā·’ê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

and killed him.
וַיַּכֵּֽהוּ׃ (way·yak·kê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike


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OT History: 1 Kings 20:36 Then said he to him Because you (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 20:35
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