Meanwhile, 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. Meanwhile, by the word of the LORDThis phrase indicates divine inspiration and authority. The prophets in Israel often acted under direct instruction from God, serving as His mouthpieces. The phrase "by the word of the LORD" underscores the seriousness and divine origin of the message or action. This is a common expression in the Old Testament, emphasizing that the prophets' actions and words were not of their own invention but were commanded by God (e.g., 1 Samuel 15:10, Jeremiah 1:4). one of the sons of the prophets
The "sons of the prophets" refers to a group or guild of prophets who were often under the leadership of a more prominent prophet, such as Elijah or Elisha. These groups were common in Israel and served as training grounds for future prophets. They were communities dedicated to studying and proclaiming God's word, similar to a seminary or religious school. This context highlights the communal and educational aspect of prophetic ministry in ancient Israel. said to his companion
The term "companion" suggests a fellow member of the prophetic community. This interaction indicates a close relationship and mutual respect among the prophets. The request made by the prophet is unusual, suggesting a test of obedience or a symbolic act, which was not uncommon in prophetic ministry (e.g., Isaiah 20:2-3, Ezekiel 4:1-3). “Strike me, please!”
The request to be struck is a prophetic action, often used to convey a message or symbolize a future event. Prophets frequently used dramatic actions to illustrate their messages (e.g., Jeremiah 13:1-11, Hosea 1:2-9). The request for a blow may symbolize impending judgment or the seriousness of the message to be delivered. It also tests the obedience of the companion to the prophetic word. But the man refused to strike him.
The refusal to comply with the prophet's request indicates a lack of understanding or unwillingness to participate in the prophetic act. This disobedience contrasts with the expected response to a divine command, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's word. The refusal can be seen as a failure to recognize the authority of the prophetic message, which often had serious consequences (e.g., 1 Kings 13:21-24). This incident underscores the theme of obedience and the cost of disregarding God's instructions. Persons / Places / Events 1. Sons of the ProphetsA group of prophets or prophetic disciples in Israel, often seen as a community dedicated to serving God and receiving His revelations. 2. The ProphetAn unnamed prophet who receives a word from the LORD and acts upon it, demonstrating obedience to God's command. 3. The CompanionThe man who is asked to strike the prophet but refuses, leading to consequences for his disobedience. 4. The Word of the LORDThe divine command given to the prophet, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's instructions. 5. IsraelThe northern kingdom where these events take place, during a time of conflict and divine intervention. Teaching Points Obedience to God's WordThe passage underscores the necessity of obeying God's commands, even when they seem unusual or difficult. Disobedience can lead to severe consequences. The Role of ProphetsProphets serve as God's messengers, and their words carry divine authority. Respecting and heeding their messages is crucial for spiritual well-being. Community and AccountabilityThe sons of the prophets represent a community of faith where accountability and mutual support are vital. We should seek to build and be part of such communities today. The Cost of DisobedienceThe refusal to obey God's command through the prophet serves as a warning about the cost of disobedience. It reminds us to trust God's wisdom and timing. Faith in ActionThe prophet's request and the subsequent events challenge us to put our faith into action, trusting that God's plans are higher than our understanding. Bible Study Questions 1. What does this passage teach us about the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when they seem unusual or difficult? 2. How can we apply the concept of prophetic authority in our lives today, especially in discerning God's will? 3. In what ways can we build a community of faith similar to the sons of the prophets, where accountability and support are emphasized? 4. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult decision to obey God. What were the outcomes, and how did it affect your faith journey? 5. How can we ensure that our actions align with God's word, and what steps can we take to avoid the pitfalls of disobedience? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 15The account of King Saul's disobedience to God's command through the prophet Samuel, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's word. 2 Kings 2The account of Elisha and the sons of the prophets, showing the role and significance of prophetic communities in Israel. Acts 5The account of Ananias and Sapphira, illustrating the severe consequences of disobedience to God's commands. People Ahab, Aram, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Hadad, Israelites, SyriansPlaces Aphek, Damascus, Samaria, SyriaTopics Command, Companion, Fellow, Neighbor, Neighbour, Please, Prophets, Refused, Refuseth, Smite, Sons, Strike, Weapon, WoundDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 20:35 7621 disciples, calling 1 Kings 20:35-36 1429 prophecy, OT fulfilment 1 Kings 20:35-42 5438 parables 1 Kings 20:35-43 5837 disguise Library The Lost Opportunity
TEXT: "And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it."--1 Kings 20:40. There is a very striking incident connected with this text. The great battle is raging, a certain important prisoner has been taken, and if you read between the lines you seem to know that upon him depend many of the issues of war. His skill in leading the enemy had been marvelous, his courage in the thick of the fight striking; …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotPutting on the Armour
And the king of Israel answered and said. Tell him. Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.'--1 KINGS xx. 11. For the Young. Ahab, King of Israel, was but a poor creature, and, like most weak characters, he turned out a wicked one, because he found that there were more temptations to do wrong than inducements to do right. Like other weak people, too, he was torn asunder by the influence of stronger wills. On the one side he had a termagant of a wife, stirring …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Letter of the Synod to the Emperor and Empress.
(Labbe and Cossart, Concilia, Tom. VII., col. 577.) To our most religious and most serene princes, Constantine and Irene his mother. Tarasius, the unworthy bishop of your God-protected royal city, new Rome, and all the holy Council which met at the good pleasure of God and upon the command of your Christ-loving majesty in the renowned metropolis of Nice, the second council to assemble in this city. Christ our God (who is the head of the Church) was glorified, most noble princes, when your heart, …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils Nature of the Renderings
From the text we now turn to the renderings, and to the general principles that were followed, both in the Old and in the New Testament. The revision of the English text was in each case subject to the same general rule, viz. "To introduce as few alterations as possible into the Text of the Authorised Version consistently with faithfulness"; but, owing to the great difference between the two languages, the Hebrew and the Greek, the application of the rule was necessarily different, and the results …
C. J. Ellicott—Addresses on the Revised Version of Holy Scripture The Practice of Piety in Glorifying God in the Time of Sickness, and when Thou Art Called to Die in the Lord.
As soon as thou perceivest thyself to be visited with any sickness, meditate with thyself: 1. That "misery cometh not forth of the dust; neither doth affliction spring out of the earth." Sickness comes not by hap or chance (as the Philistines supposed that their mice and emrods came, 1 Sam. vi. 9), but from man's wickedness, which, as sparkles, breaketh out. "Man suffereth," saith Jeremiah, "for his sins." "Fools," saith David, "by reason of their transgressions, and because of their iniquities, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 20:35 NIV1 Kings 20:35 NLT1 Kings 20:35 ESV1 Kings 20:35 NASB1 Kings 20:35 KJV
1 Kings 20:35 Commentaries
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