1 kings 20:34 - 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.
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What does "1 kings 20:34" mean?
This verse from 1 Kings 20:34 is a turning point in the story of the conflict between King Ahab of Israel and King Ben-Hadad of Aram (Syria). Let's break down the meaning:
"Ben Hadad said to him, “The cities which my father took from your father I will restore."
This indicates that in a previous conflict between Aram and Israel, Aram had conquered and occupied some Israelite cities. Ben-Hadad, recognizing Ahab's recent military victory (Ahab defeated Ben-Hadad in a battle), is now offering to return those captured territories. This suggests a desire for peace, perhaps because Aram has suffered significant losses.
"You shall make streets for yourself in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria.”
This is a crucial point. The "streets" likely refer to marketplaces, trading posts, or even entire quarters established by the conquering power within the conquered city. When Ben-Hadad says Ahab can establish streets in Damascus like his father did in Samaria, he's essentially granting Ahab commercial rights and influence within the Aramean capital. This is a significant concession and shows a degree of submission or at least a willingness to compromise with Ahab.
“I”, said Ahab, “will let you go with this covenant.” So he made a covenant with him, and let him go.
Ahab accepts Ben-Hadad's terms and establishes a covenant (a formal agreement) with him. The key here is that Ahab releases Ben-Hadad after making the agreement.
What it Means Overall:
The verse reveals a shift in power dynamics. Ahab, after winning a battle against Ben-Hadad, could have pressed for even harsher terms. Instead, he accepts Ben-Hadad's offer, which includes the restoration of lost cities and commercial rights in Damascus.
The passage sets the stage for future problems. Ahab's decision to make a covenant and let Ben-Hadad go will later be criticized by a prophet in the following verses (1 Kings 20:35-43). This is because the prophet believes Ahab should have executed Ben-Hadad, a known enemy of Israel, especially since God delivered him into Ahab's hands. Ahab's leniency is seen as a failure to fully serve God's will and protect Israel.
1 kings 20:34 - 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.
What does "1 kings 20:34" mean?
This verse from 1 Kings 20:34 is a turning point in the story of the conflict between King Ahab of Israel and King Ben-Hadad of Aram (Syria). Let's break down the meaning:
"Ben Hadad said to him, “The cities which my father took from your father I will restore."
This indicates that in a previous conflict between Aram and Israel, Aram had conquered and occupied some Israelite cities. Ben-Hadad, recognizing Ahab's recent military victory (Ahab defeated Ben-Hadad in a battle), is now offering to return those captured territories. This suggests a desire for peace, perhaps because Aram has suffered significant losses.
"You shall make streets for yourself in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria.”
This is a crucial point. The "streets" likely refer to marketplaces, trading posts, or even entire quarters established by the conquering power within the conquered city. When Ben-Hadad says Ahab can establish streets in Damascus like his father did in Samaria, he's essentially granting Ahab commercial rights and influence within the Aramean capital. This is a significant concession and shows a degree of submission or at least a willingness to compromise with Ahab.
“I”, said Ahab, “will let you go with this covenant.” So he made a covenant with him, and let him go.
Ahab accepts Ben-Hadad's terms and establishes a covenant (a formal agreement) with him. The key here is that Ahab releases Ben-Hadad after making the agreement.
What it Means Overall:
The verse reveals a shift in power dynamics. Ahab, after winning a battle against Ben-Hadad, could have pressed for even harsher terms. Instead, he accepts Ben-Hadad's offer, which includes the restoration of lost cities and commercial rights in Damascus.
The passage sets the stage for future problems. Ahab's decision to make a covenant and let Ben-Hadad go will later be criticized by a prophet in the following verses (1 Kings 20:35-43). This is because the prophet believes Ahab should have executed Ben-Hadad, a known enemy of Israel, especially since God delivered him into Ahab's hands. Ahab's leniency is seen as a failure to fully serve God's will and protect Israel.