1 Kings 20:34 net — Ben Hadad said,“I will return the cities my father took from your father. You may set up markets in Damascus, just as m…

NET Bible

"Ben Hadad said,“I will return the cities my father took from your father. You may set up markets in Damascus, just as my father did in Samaria.” Ahab then said,“I want to make a treaty with you before I dismiss you.” So he made a treaty with him and then dismissed him."

— 1 Kings 20:34, NET Bible

Read in Another Translation

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1 Kings 20:34 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • KJV

    “And Ben–hadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.”

  • ASV

    “And Ben-hadad said unto him, The cities which my father took from thy father I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. And I, said Ahab, will let thee go with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and let him go. ”

  • WEB

    “Ben Hadad said to him, "The cities which my father took from your father I will restore. You shall make streets for yourself in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria." "I," said Ahab, "will let you go with this covenant." So he made a covenant with him, and let him go.”

  • DRB

    “And he said to him: The cities which my father took from thy father, I will restore: and do thou make thee streets in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria and having made a league, I will depart from thee. So he made a league with him, and let him go.”

  • BBE

    “And Ben-hadad said to him, The towns my father took from your father I will give back; and you may make streets for yourself in Damascus as my father did in Samaria. And as for me, at the price of this agreement you will let me go. So he made an agreement with him and let him go.”

  • KJVA

    “And Ben–hadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.”

1 Kings 20 — Context

31

His advisers said to him,“Look, we have heard that the kings of the Israelite dynasty are kind. Allow us to put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads and surrender to the king of Israel. Maybe he will spare our lives.”

32

So they put sackcloth around their waists and ropes on their heads and went to the king of Israel. They said,“Your servant Ben Hadad says,‘Please let me live!’” Ahab replied,“Is he still alive? He is my brother.”

33

The men took this as a good omen and quickly accepted his offer, saying,“Ben Hadad is your brother.” Ahab then said,“Go, get him.” So Ben Hadad came out to him, and Ahab pulled him up into his chariot.

34

Ben Hadad said,“I will return the cities my father took from your father. You may set up markets in Damascus, just as my father did in Samaria.” Ahab then said,“I want to make a treaty with you before I dismiss you.” So he made a treaty with him and then dismissed him.

35

A Prophet Denounces Ahab’s Actions One of the members of the prophetic guild, told his companion a message from the LORD,“Please wound me!” But the man refused to wound him.

36

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.

37

He found another man and said,“Wound me!” So the man wounded him severely.

1 Kings 20:34 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Kings 20:34 say?
1 Kings 20:34 in the NET Bible reads: “Ben Hadad said,“I will return the cities my father took from your father. You may set up markets in Damascus, just as my father did in Samaria.” Ahab then said,“I want to make a treaty with you before I dismiss you.” So he made a treaty with him and then dismissed him.”
Where is 1 Kings 20:34 in the Bible?
1 Kings 20:34 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Kings, chapter 20, verse 34.
Who wrote 1 Kings?
1 Kings is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Jeremiah). It was written c. 561–538 BC.
What is the book of 1 Kings about?
1 Kings tells of Solomon's wisdom and the building of the temple, then the painful division of the kingdom after his death. The northern kingdom plunges into idolatry under a series of wicked kings until the prophet Elijah is raised up to call Israel back to the LORD.
What are the major themes of 1 Kings?
1 Kings explores themes including Wisdom, Temple, Divided Kingdom, Idolatry, Prophecy. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Kings 20:34.
What translation should I read 1 Kings 20:34 in?
1 Kings 20:34 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Kings 20:34?
1 Kings 20:34 reads (NET): “Ben Hadad said,“I will return the cities my father took from your father. You may set up markets in Damascus, just as my father did in Samaria.” Ahab then said,“I want to make a treaty with you before I dismiss you.” So he made a treaty with him and then dismissed him.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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