Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So the prophet said, “Because you have not obeyed the LORD, as soon as you leave me a lion will kill you.” And after the man went away, a lion found him and killed him. New Living Translation Then the prophet told him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, a lion will kill you as soon as you leave me.” And when he had gone, a lion did attack and kill him. English Standard Version Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you have gone from me, a lion shall strike you down.” And as soon as he had departed from him, a lion met him and struck him down. Berean Standard Bible Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.” And when he left, a lion found him and killed him. Berean Literal Bible And he said to him, “Because that you have not obeyed the voice of YHWH, surely as soon as you depart from me, a lion will strike you.” And he left him, and a lion found him and struck him. King James Bible Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him. New King James Version Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, surely, as soon as you depart from me, a lion shall kill you.” And as soon as he left him, a lion found him and killed him. New American Standard Bible Then he said to him, “Because you have not listened to the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you leave me, a lion will kill you.” And as soon as he left him a lion found him and killed him. NASB 1995 Then he said to him, “Because you have not listened to the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you have departed from me, a lion will kill you.” And as soon as he had departed from him a lion found him and killed him. NASB 1977 Then he said to him, “Because you have not listened to the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you have departed from me, a lion will kill you.” And as soon as he had departed from him a lion found him, and killed him. Legacy Standard Bible Then he said to him, “Because you have not listened to the voice of Yahweh, behold, as soon as you walk away from me, a lion will strike you down.” And as soon as he had walked away from him, a lion found him and struck him down. Amplified Bible Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you leave me, a lion will kill you.” And as soon as he left him, a lion found him and killed him. Berean Annotated Bible Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD {YHWH}, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you. And when he left, a lion found him and killed him. Christian Standard Bible He told him, “Because you did not listen to the LORD, mark my words: When you leave me, a lion will kill you.” When he left him, a lion attacked and killed him. Holman Christian Standard Bible He told him, “Because you did not listen to the voice of the LORD, mark my words: When you leave me, a lion will kill you.” When he left him, a lion attacked and killed him. American Standard Version Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of Jehovah, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him. Contemporary English Version and the prophet told him, "You disobeyed the LORD, and as soon as you walk away, a lion will kill you." The friend left, and suddenly a lion killed him. English Revised Version Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him. GOD'S WORD® Translation The disciple said, "Since you didn't obey the LORD, a lion will kill you when you leave me." When the friend left, a lion found him and killed him. Good News Translation so he said to him, "Because you have disobeyed the LORD's command, a lion will kill you as soon as you leave me." And as soon as he left, a lion came along and killed him. International Standard Version so he told him, "Because you haven't obeyed the LORD's voice, as soon as you leave here, a lion will kill you." As soon as the man left, a lion found him and killed him. NET Bible 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. New Heart English Bible Then he said to him, "Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, look, as soon as you are departed from me, a lion shall kill you." As soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and killed him. Webster's Bible Translation Then said he to him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou hast departed from me, a lion will slay thee. And as soon as he had departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.” And when he left, a lion found him and killed him. World English Bible Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed Yahweh’s voice, behold, as soon as you have departed from me, a lion will kill you.” As soon as he had departed from him, a lion found him and killed him. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he says to him, “Because that you have not listened to the voice of YHWH, behold, you are going from me, and the lion has struck you”; and he goes from him, and the lion finds him, and strikes him. Berean Literal Bible And he said to him, “Because that you have not obeyed the voice of YHWH, surely as soon as you depart from me, a lion will strike you.” And he left him, and a lion found him and struck him. Young's Literal Translation and he saith to him, 'Because that thou hast not hearkened to the voice of Jehovah, lo, thou art going from me, and the lion hath smitten thee;' and he goeth from him, and the lion findeth him, and smiteth him. Smith's Literal Translation And he will say to him, Because thou heardst not to the voice of Jehovah, behold thee going from me, and the lion striking thee. And he will go from beside him, and the lion will find him and strike him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen he said to him: Because thou wouldst not hearken to the word of the Lord, behold then shalt depart from me, and a lion shall slay thee. And when he was gone a little from him, a lion found him, and slew him. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said to him: “Because you were not willing to heed the voice of the Lord, behold, you will depart from me, and a lion will slay you. And when he had departed a short distance from him, a lion found him, and slew him. New American Bible Then he said to him, “Since you did not obey the voice of the LORD, a lion will attack you when you leave me.” When he left him, a lion came upon him and attacked him. New Revised Standard Version Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you have left me, a lion will kill you.” And when he had left him, a lion met him and killed him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen he said to him, Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, behold, as soon as you are departed from me, a lion shall slay you. And as soon as he departed from him, a lion found him and slew him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He said to him: “Because you have not listened to the voice of LORD JEHOVAH your God, behold, you are going from my presence, and a lion will kill you!” And he went on from his presence, and a lion found him and killed him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then said he unto him: 'Because thou hast not heartened to the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee.' And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him; and slew him. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he said to him, Because thou hast not hearkened to the voice of the Lord, therefore, behold, as thou departest from me, a lion shall smite thee: and he departed from him, and a lion found him, and smote him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Prophet Reproves Ahab35Meanwhile, 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. 36Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.” And when he left, a lion found him and killed him. 37Then the prophet found another man and said, “Strike me, please!” So the man struck him and wounded him,… Cross References Then the prophet said to him, 1 Kings 13:21-24 and the prophet cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have defied the word of the LORD and have not kept the commandment that the LORD your God gave you, / but you went back and ate bread and drank water in the place where He told you not to do so, your body shall never reach the tomb of your fathers.’” / And after the man of God had finished eating and drinking, the old prophet who had brought him back saddled the donkey for him. … 1 Samuel 15:16 “Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied. 2 Samuel 12:7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, 1 Samuel 15:22-23 But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.” 2 Kings 18:12 This happened because they did not listen to the voice of the LORD their God, but violated His covenant—all that Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded—and would neither listen nor obey. Deuteronomy 28:15 If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: as soon as you depart from me 1 Samuel 10:2 When you leave me today, you will find two men at Rachel’s tomb in Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you seek have been found, and now your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys and started worrying about you, asking, “What should I do about my son?”’ Exodus 10:28-29 “Depart from me!” Pharaoh said to Moses. “Make sure you never see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you will die.” / “As you say,” Moses replied, “I will never see your face again.” a lion will kill you.” Hosea 13:7-8 So like a lion I will pounce on them; like a leopard I will lurk by the path. / Like a bear robbed of her cubs I will attack them, and I will tear open their chests. There I will devour them like a lion, like a wild beast tearing them apart. Hosea 5:14 For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them. Ezekiel 22:25 The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. And when he left, a lion found him and killed him. 2 Kings 17:25-26 Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.” Jeremiah 5:6 Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down, a wolf from the desert will ravage them. A leopard will lie in wait near their cities, and everyone who ventures out will be torn to pieces. For their rebellious acts are many, and their unfaithful deeds are numerous. Jeremiah 4:7 A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his lair to lay waste your land. Your cities will be reduced to ruins and lie uninhabited. 2 Kings 2:23-24 From there, Elisha went up to Bethel, and as he was walking up the road, a group of boys came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” / Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. Acts 5:1-11 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. / With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. / Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? … Treasury of Scripture Then said he to him, Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you are departed from me, a lion shall slay you. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him. disguised 1 Kings 14:2 And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people. 1 Kings 22:30 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle. 2 Samuel 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: Jump to Previous Death Departed Ear Found Hearkened Kill Killed Lion Met Obeyed Prophet Rushing Slay Slew Soon Straight VoiceJump to Next Death Departed Ear Found Hearkened Kill Killed Lion Met Obeyed Prophet Rushing Slay Slew Soon Straight Voice1 Kings 20 1. Ben-Hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria13. 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 prophet said to him In the context of 1 Kings 20, the prophet is delivering a message from God. Prophets in the Old Testament served as God's mouthpieces, often delivering messages of warning or judgment. This particular prophet is unnamed, emphasizing the focus on the message rather than the messenger. Prophets were integral in guiding Israel, often confronting kings and leaders with God's truth. Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you And when he left, a lion found him and killed him Persons / Places / Events 1. The ProphetA man of God who delivers a message of judgment. His role is to convey God's commands and consequences for disobedience. 2. The Disobedient Man An unnamed individual who fails to heed the prophet's command, representing a broader theme of disobedience to God's word. 3. The Lion A literal instrument of God's judgment, symbolizing the immediate and severe consequences of disobedience. 4. The Voice of the LORD Represents God's direct command, emphasizing the importance of obedience to divine instructions. 5. The Event of Judgment The swift execution of divine judgment serves as a warning about the seriousness of disobeying God's commands. Teaching Points The Seriousness of ObedienceObedience to God's word is non-negotiable. The immediate consequence faced by the disobedient man in 1 Kings 20:36 serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness with which God views His commands. The Role of Prophets Prophets are God's messengers, and their words carry divine authority. Ignoring their messages is equivalent to ignoring God Himself. Consequences of Disobedience Disobedience to God can lead to severe and immediate consequences. This passage encourages believers to reflect on their own lives and ensure they are living in accordance with God's will. God's Sovereignty in Judgment God is sovereign and just in His judgments. The use of a lion as an instrument of judgment demonstrates God's control over creation and His ability to execute justice in unexpected ways. The Importance of Listening to God's Voice Believers are called to be attentive to God's voice, whether through Scripture, prayer, or the counsel of godly individuals. Ignoring God's voice can lead to spiritual and physical peril. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 20:36?2. How does 1 Kings 20:36 illustrate the importance of obeying God's commands? 3. What consequences are shown for disobedience in 1 Kings 20:36? 4. How can we apply the lesson of obedience from 1 Kings 20:36 today? 5. What other scriptures emphasize the seriousness of following God's instructions? 6. How does 1 Kings 20:36 challenge your personal commitment to God's Word? 7. Why did the prophet's disobedience in 1 Kings 20:36 result in such severe punishment? 8. How does 1 Kings 20:36 reflect God's justice and mercy? 9. What does the lion symbolize in 1 Kings 20:36? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 20? 11. What symbols convey themes in the Book of Amos? 12. How do the details of King Ahab's military campaigns in 1 Kings 20 align or conflict with other biblical passages about his reign? 13. Why does Psalm 83:1 depict God as silent in the face of a dire threat, despite other scriptures portraying Him as actively intervening? 14. Who were the believers in the Old Testament? What Does 1 Kings 20:36 Mean Setting the Scene• The narrative picks up after “a certain man of the sons of the prophets” had asked a fellow disciple to strike him so he could deliver an object lesson to King Ahab (1 Kings 20:35). • Refusal to comply with a prophet’s request was, in effect, refusal to obey God, for the prophet spoke under divine mandate (cf. 1 Samuel 15:1; Deuteronomy 18:18-19). • Throughout Scripture, God often uses prophets to dramatize His message, underscoring that His word is not merely advice but a command (Ezekiel 24:15-24; Hosea 1:2). “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD” • Disobedience is never trivial. From Eden forward, God links blessing to obedience and judgment to rebellion (Genesis 2:16-17; Deuteronomy 28:15). • “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? … To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). • The prophet’s words remind us that hearing God’s voice brings immediate accountability (James 1:22-25). “As soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you” • The sentence is specific, swift, and certain—demonstrating God’s sovereignty over creation (Job 38:39-41; Daniel 6:22). • Similar judgments have used animals as instruments: serpents in the wilderness (Numbers 21:6), bears with Elisha (2 Kings 2:24). • The threat highlights the seriousness of refusing even a seemingly minor command, illustrating Proverbs 19:16, “He who keeps the commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.” “When he left, a lion found him and killed him” • The fulfillment is immediate, verifying the prophet’s authenticity (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). • Parallel precedent: the disobedient man of God in 1 Kings 13:24 was also slain by a lion, reinforcing that God’s standards never change. • God’s judgments are precise—no accident, no delay, no ambiguity (Hebrews 10:30-31). Lessons Drawn • God’s Word is non-negotiable. Partial or delayed obedience equals disobedience (Luke 6:46). • Judgment can be sudden; God is patient but not permissive (2 Peter 3:9-10). • Even prophets-in-training are accountable; spiritual privilege heightens responsibility (Luke 12:48). • The episode foreshadows the larger theme of 1 Kings 20: though Ahab wins battles, his own partial obedience will soon cost him dearly (1 Kings 20:42). summary 1 Kings 20:36 shows that immediate, literal judgment fell on a man who ignored a divine command delivered through a prophet. God backed the prophet’s words with a real lion, underscoring His absolute authority, the urgency of obedience, and the certainty that He will accomplish exactly what He says. (36) A lion shall slay thee.--It is obvious to compare the example of 1Kings 13:24.Verse 36. - Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the Lord, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion [Heb. the lion, perhaps the lion appointed already to this office, or one that had lately been seen in the neighbourhood] shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a [Heb. the] lion found him [same word as in 1 Kings 13:24, where see note], and slew him [For the same sin as that of "the man of God (1 Kings 13:21, 26), viz., disobedience (Deuteronomy 32:24; Jeremiah 5:6), and disobedience, too, under circumstances remarkably similar to those. In fact, the two histories run on almost parallel lines. In each case it is a prophet who disobeys, and disobeys the "word of the Lord;" in each case the disobedience appears almost excusable; in each case the prophet appears to be hardly dealt with, and suffers instant punishment, whilst the king escapes; in each case the punishment is foretold by a prophet; in each case it is effected by the instrumentality of a lion. And in each case the lesson is the same - that God's commands must be kept, whatever the cost, or that stern retribution will inevitably follow.]Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then [the prophet] saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to him, ל֗וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew “Because יַ֚עַן (ya·‘an) Adverb Strong's 3282: Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause you have not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no obeyed שָׁמַ֙עְתָּ֙ (šā·ma‘·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently the voice בְּק֣וֹל (bə·qō·wl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6963: A voice, sound of the LORD, יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel as soon as הִנְּךָ֤ (hin·nə·ḵā) Interjection | second person masculine singular Strong's 2005: Lo! behold! you depart הוֹלֵךְ֙ (hō·w·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk from me מֵֽאִתִּ֔י (mê·’it·tî) Preposition-m | Direct object marker | first person common singular Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case a lion הָאַרְיֵ֑ה (hā·’ar·yêh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 738: A lion will kill you.” וְהִכְּךָ֖ (wə·hik·kə·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike And when he left, וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ (way·yê·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk a lion הָאַרְיֵ֖ה (hā·’ar·yêh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 738: A lion found him וַיִּמְצָאֵ֥הוּ (way·yim·ṣā·’ê·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present and killed him. וַיַּכֵּֽהוּ׃ (way·yak·kê·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike Links 1 Kings 20:36 NIV1 Kings 20:36 NLT 1 Kings 20:36 ESV 1 Kings 20:36 NASB 1 Kings 20:36 KJV 1 Kings 20:36 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 20:36 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 20:36 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 20:36 French Bible 1 Kings 20:36 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 20:36 Then said he to him Because you (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
    |