Translations
Modern
But while your servant was busy here and there, the man disappeared.” And the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you have pronounced it on yourself.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
And it came to pass that your servant working here and there, and he was not there.” And the king of Israel said to him, “So is your judgment; you have determined.”
Latin
Dum autem ego turbatus huc illucque me verterem, subito non comparuit. Et ait rex Israël ad eum: Hoc est judicium tuum, quod ipse decrevisti.
Original
Hebrew
English
But while your servant was busy here and there, the man disappeared.” And the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you have pronounced it on yourself.”
Notes
Ahab showed mercy to Ben-hadad, which displeased God. An unnamed prophet used symbolic actions to show this disapproval. God's prophets often used symbols to deliver his messages (Isaiah 20; Jeremiah 27:1–7; Ezekiel 4:1–3, 9–17; 5:1–4). By sparing an untrustworthy enemy, Ahab brought judgment on himself and his people instead of relying more on the Lord.
Theme notes and profiles
People
Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes
Glossary
Ahab (King) Ben-Hadad Gilead (Place) Kings, Books of First and Second Samaria Sons of the Prophets
Topics
Parables of the Prisoner of War Self-Condemnation: Ahab Symbols and Similitudes: Wounding Syria: The Israelites: Craftily Drawn Into a League With