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1 Kings 20:8

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 20:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken thou not, neither consent.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken thou not, neither consent.
1 Kings 20:8 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And the messengers came again, and said, Thus speaketh Ben-hadad, saying, I sent indeed unto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children;
6but I will send my servants unto thee to-morrow about this time, and they shall search thy house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away.
7Then 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.
8And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken thou not, neither consent.
9Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Ben-hadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do; but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought him word again.
10And Ben-hadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.
11And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on [his armor] boast himself as he that putteth it off.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And all the elders and all the people said unto him, etc.] They were unanimous in their advice: hearken not [unto him], nor consent; promising, no doubt, that they would stand by him.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
““The people” had no distinct place in the ordinary Jewish or Israelite constitution; but they were accustomed to signify their approbation or disapprobation of the decisions of the elders by acclamations or complaints (Joshua 9:18; Judges 11:11, etc.). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification