1 Kings 20:7
New International Version
The king of Israel summoned all the elders of the land and said to them, “See how this man is looking for trouble! When he sent for my wives and my children, my silver and my gold, I did not refuse him.”

New Living Translation
Then Ahab summoned all the elders of the land and said to them, “Look how this man is stirring up trouble! I already agreed with his demand that I give him my wives and children and silver and gold.”

English Standard Version
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, “Mark, now, and see how this man is seeking trouble, for he sent to me for my wives and my children, and for my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, “Notice, please, and see how this man seeks trouble, for he sent to me for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold; and I did not deny him.”

New American Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel summoned all the elders of the land and said, “Please be aware and see that this man is looking for trouble; for he sent me his demand for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold, and I did not refuse him.”

NASB 1995
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, “Please observe and see how this man is looking for trouble; for he sent to me for my wives and my children and my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him.”

NASB 1977
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, “Please observe and see how this man is looking for trouble; for he sent to me for my wives and my children and my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, “Please know and see how this man is looking for trouble; for he sent to me for my wives and my children and my silver and my gold, and I withheld nothing from him.”

Amplified Bible
Then the king of Israel summoned all the elders of the land and said, “Please observe and see how this man is seeking our destruction. For he sent messengers to me for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold, and I did not refuse him.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel called for all the elders of the land and said, “Recognize that this one is only looking for trouble, for he demanded my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold, and I didn’t turn him down.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel called for all the elders of the land and said, “Think it over and you will see that this one is only looking for trouble, for he demanded my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold, and I didn’t turn him down.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Ahab called a meeting with the leaders of Israel and said, "Benhadad is causing real trouble. He told me to give him my wives and children, as well as my silver and gold. And I agreed."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the king of Israel called for all the leaders of the country. He said, "You can see how this man is looking for trouble. When he sent for my wives, children, silver, and gold, I didn't refuse him."

Good News Translation
King Ahab called in all the leaders of the country and said, "You see that this man wants to ruin us. He sent me a message demanding my wives and children, my silver and gold, and I agreed."

International Standard Version
Then the king of Israel called together all of the elders of the land and told them, "Please note that this man is here looking for trouble. He sent a message to me, demanding my wives, my children, and my silver and gold, and I haven't refused him."

Majority Standard Bible
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.?

NET Bible
The king of Israel summoned all the leaders of the land and said, "Notice how this man is looking for trouble. Indeed, he demanded my wives, sons, silver, and gold, and I did not resist him."

New Heart English Bible
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 did not deny him."

Webster's Bible Translation
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 to me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold, and I denied him not.

World English Bible
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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king of Israel calls to all [the] elderly of the land and says, “Please know and see that this [one] is seeking evil, for he sent to me for my wives, and for my sons, and for my silver, and for my gold, and I did not withhold from him.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king of Israel calleth to all the elders of the land, and saith, 'Know, I pray you, and see that evil this one is seeking, for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my sons, and for my silver, and for my gold, and I withheld not from him.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king of Israel will call for all the old men of the land, and he will say, Know now, and see that this seeks evil, for he sent to me for my wives and for my sons, and for my silver, and for my gold, and I withheld not from him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king of Israel called all the ancients of the land, and said: Mark, and see that he layeth snares for us. For he sent to me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver and gold: and I said not nay.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and he said: “Let your souls take heed, and see that he commits treachery against us. For he sent to me for my wives and sons, and for silver and gold. And I did not refuse.”

New American Bible
The king of Israel then summoned all the elders of the land and said: “Understand clearly that this man is intent on evil. When he sent to me for my wives and children, my silver and my gold, I did not refuse him.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, “Look now! See how this man is seeking trouble; for he sent to me for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold; and I did not refuse him.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said to them, Know, 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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King of Israel called all the Elders of the land and said to them: “Know and see that this one is seeking evil, for he sent to me for my wives and for my sons and for my silver and for my gold and I have not withheld any from him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Take notice now and consider, that this man seeks mischief: for he has sent to me concerning my wives, and concerning my sons, an concerning my daughters: I have not kept back from him my silver and my gold.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria
6But 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.’ ” 7Then 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.” 8And the elders and the people all said, “Do not listen to him or consent to his terms.”…

Cross References
2 Kings 6:32
Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?”

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!”

2 Kings 18:14-16
So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand from me.” And the king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. / Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace. / At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold with which he had plated the doors and doorposts of the temple of the LORD, and he gave it to the king of Assyria.

2 Samuel 10:4-5
So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away. / When this was reported to David, he sent messengers to meet the men, since they had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.”

2 Chronicles 18:30-31
Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.” / When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “This is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him.

2 Chronicles 16:7-9
At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and told him, “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. / Were not the Cushites and Libyans a vast army with many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. / For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”

Isaiah 36:4-5
The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours? / You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. In whom are you now trusting, that you have rebelled against me?

Jeremiah 38:4
Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.”

Jeremiah 26:21
King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and officials heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah found out about it, he fled in fear and went to Egypt.

Matthew 5:25
Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

Matthew 10:17
But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues.

Matthew 26:3-4
At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, / and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.

Mark 3:6
At this, the Pharisees went out and began plotting with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

Mark 12:13
Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Jesus in His words.

Luke 20:19-20
When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people. / So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.


Treasury of Scripture

Then 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.

all the elders

1 Kings 8:1
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.

2 Kings 5:7
And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.

1 Chronicles 13:1
And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.

seeketh mischief

Job 15:35
They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.

Psalm 7:14
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

Psalm 36:4
He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

1 Kings 20:4
And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have.

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Children Denied Deny Elders Gold Israel Mark Mischief Notice Observe Please Seeketh Seeking Seeks Silver Summoned Trouble Wives
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Children Denied Deny Elders Gold Israel Mark Mischief Notice Observe Please Seeketh Seeking Seeks Silver Summoned Trouble Wives
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 king of Israel summoned
The phrase highlights the authority and responsibility of the king of Israel, who at this time was Ahab. The Hebrew root for "summoned" is קָרָא (qara), which means to call or proclaim. This action signifies a formal gathering, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Ahab's decision to consult the elders reflects a moment of seeking counsel, which is a biblical principle seen throughout Scripture, where leaders seek wisdom from others (Proverbs 11:14).

all the elders of the land
The "elders" were respected leaders and advisors within the community, often seen as wise and experienced. In ancient Israel, elders played a crucial role in governance and decision-making, as seen in Deuteronomy 19:12. Their involvement indicates the seriousness of the threat posed by Ben-Hadad and the need for collective wisdom in addressing it.

and said, 'Please take note and see
This phrase is a call to attention and discernment. The Hebrew word for "take note" is יָדַע (yada), meaning to know or perceive. Ahab is urging the elders to carefully consider the situation. This reflects a biblical theme of seeking understanding and insight, as encouraged in Proverbs 4:7.

how this man is seeking trouble
"Seeking trouble" indicates an intentional pursuit of conflict or harm. The Hebrew word for "trouble" is רָעָה (ra'ah), which can mean evil or distress. Ahab recognizes Ben-Hadad's aggressive intentions, which aligns with the biblical understanding of the nature of evil as something that actively seeks to disrupt peace and righteousness (Psalm 34:14).

for he demanded my wives and my children
This demand underscores the severity of Ben-Hadad's threat. In ancient Near Eastern culture, family was central to one's identity and legacy. The demand for Ahab's wives and children was not just a personal affront but a challenge to his kingship and the stability of Israel. This reflects the biblical theme of the sanctity and protection of family (Genesis 2:24).

my silver and my gold
Silver and gold represent wealth and resources, essential for the prosperity and security of a nation. The demand for these treasures highlights the economic threat posed by Ben-Hadad. Biblically, wealth is seen as a blessing from God (Proverbs 10:22), and its loss would signify not just material deprivation but also a potential spiritual crisis.

and I did not refuse him
Ahab's initial compliance reveals a moment of weakness or strategic concession. The Hebrew root for "refuse" is מָאֵן (ma'en), meaning to reject or deny. This admission sets the stage for the unfolding narrative, where Ahab must decide whether to continue yielding or to stand firm. It reflects the biblical tension between fear and faith, as seen in the lives of many biblical figures who faced overwhelming odds (Joshua 1:9).

Verse 7. - Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land [Bahr remarks that this expression, compared with "the elders of the city" (1 Kings 21:8, etc.), suggests either that these nobles, as the highest officials, had their residences at the court, or upon the approach of Ben-hadad had betaken themselves thither with their treasures. Rawlinson builds on this slender basis the conclusion that the council of elders which, he says, belonged to the undivided kingdom, had been continued among the ten tribes, had an important place in the government, and held regular sittings at the capital] and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man [or fellow. The זֶה expresses either hatred or contempt. Cf. 1 Kings 22:27; Luke 23:2, 18, etc.] seeketh mischief [the purport of Ahab's address is not, "Ben-hadad is not satisfied with my treasures; he wants yours also" (Bahr), for there is no reference whatsoever to their property, but, "See how he is determined on our ruin. Nothing short of our destruction will suffice him. He is bent on provoking an encounter, that he may plunder the city at pleasure." The salient word is the רָעָה]: far he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children [LXX. περι τῶν υἱῶν μου. This shows clearly that "the most eminent young men "cannot be meant in ver. 3], and for my silver and for my gold: and I dented him not. [What these words mean depends on what ver. 4 (where see note) means. It is difficult to conceive that any monarch could gravely proclaim his own shame to his counsellors; could confess, that is, that he had consented to surrender his children and concubines without a struggle.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

summoned
וַיִּקְרָ֤א (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the elders
זִקְנֵ֣י (ziq·nê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205: Old

of the land
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and said,
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Please
נָ֣א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

take note,
דְּעֽוּ־ (də·‘ū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3045: To know

and you will see
וּרְא֔וּ (ū·rə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

that
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

this [man]
זֶ֣ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

is looking for
מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ (mə·ḇaq·qêš)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

trouble,
רָעָ֖ה (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

when he demanded
שָׁלַ֨ח (šā·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

my wives,
לְנָשַׁ֤י (lə·nā·šay)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

my children,
וּלְבָנַי֙ (ū·lə·ḇā·nay)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

my silver,
וּלְכַסְפִּ֣י (ū·lə·ḵas·pî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

and my gold,
וְלִזְהָבִ֔י (wə·liz·hā·ḇî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

I did not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

deny
מָנַ֖עְתִּי (mā·na‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4513: To debar, from benefit, injury

him.?
מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ (mim·men·nū)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of


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OT History: 1 Kings 20:7 Then the king of Israel called all (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 20:6
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