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And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it. <a href="/nkjv/1_kings/20.htm">New King James Version</a> While your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” Then the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it.” <a href="/nasb_/1_kings/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now while your servant was busy here and there, he disappeared.” And the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you yourself determined it.” <a href="/nasb/1_kings/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220While your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.&#8221 And the king of Israel said to him, &#8220So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/1_kings/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And while your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” And the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it.” <a href="/lsb/1_kings/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now it happened that while your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” And the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it.” <a href="/amp/1_kings/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But while your servant was busy here and there, he [escaped and] was gone.” And the king of Israel said to him, “Such is your own judgment (verdict); you have determined it.” <a href="/csb/1_kings/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But while your servant was busy here and there, he disappeared.” The king of Israel said to him, “That will be your sentence; you yourself have decided it.” <a href="/hcsb/1_kings/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But while your servant was busy here and there, he disappeared.&#8221 The king of Israel said to him, &#8220That will be your sentence; you yourself have decided it.&#8221 <a href="/asv/1_kings/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/1_kings/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But I got busy doing other things, and the prisoner escaped." Ahab answered, "You will be punished just as you have said." <a href="/erv/1_kings/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/1_kings/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But while I was busy doing other things, he got away." The king of Israel told him, "That's your own penalty. You have determined it yourself." <a href="/gnt/1_kings/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> But I got busy with other things, and the man escaped." The king answered, "You have pronounced your own sentence, and you will have to pay the penalty." <a href="/isv/1_kings/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> While your servant was busy here and there, the prisoner escaped." The king told him, "By your actions you've earned the proper judgment!" <a href="/msb/1_kings/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/1_kings/20.htm">NET Bible</a> Well, it just so happened that while your servant was doing this and that, he disappeared." The king of Israel said to him, "Your punishment is already determined by your own testimony." <a href="/nheb/1_kings/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> As your servant was busy here and there, he was gone." The king of Israel said to him, "So your judgment shall be; you yourself have decided it." <a href="/wbt/1_kings/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said to him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it. <a href="/web/1_kings/20.htm">World English Bible</a> As your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” The king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be. You yourself have decided it.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_kings/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and it comes to pass, your servant is working here and there, and he is not!” And the king of Israel says to him, “Your judgment [is] right; you have determined [it].” <a href="/ylt/1_kings/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and it cometh to pass, thy servant is working hither and thither, and he is not!' and the king of Israel saith unto him, Right is thy judgment; thou hast determined it.' <a href="/slt/1_kings/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it will be thy servant doing here and there, and he was not. And the king of Israel will say to him, Thus thy judgment; thou didst decide.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_kings/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And whilst I in a hurry turned this way and that, on a sudden he was not to be seen. And the king of Israel said to him: This is thy judgment, which thyself hast decreed. <a href="/cpdv/1_kings/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And while I was distracted, turning one way and another, suddenly, he was not to be seen.” And the king of Israel said to him, “This is your judgment, that which you yourself have decreed.” <a href="/nabre/1_kings/20.htm">New American Bible</a> But while your servant was occupied here and there, the man disappeared.” The king of Israel said to him, “That is your sentence. You have decided it yourself.” <a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> While your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” The king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And as your servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said to him, So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it. <a href="/hpbt/1_kings/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And as your Servant turned aside here and there, he was gone. The King of Israel said to him: ‘So is your judgment. You have decided.’<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_kings/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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.' <a href="/sep/1_kings/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it came to pass, that thy servant looked round this way and that way, and the man was gone. And the king of Israel said to him, Behold, thou hast also destroyed snares set for me. <a href="/parallel/1_kings/20-40.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=8294" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_kings/20.htm">A Prophet Reproves Ahab</a> …39As the king passed by, he cried out to the king: “Your servant had marched out into the middle of the battle, when suddenly a man came over with a captive and told me, ‘Guard this man! If he goes missing for any reason, your life will be exchanged for his life, or you will weigh out a talent of silver.’ 40<a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·də·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">But while your servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ō·śêh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">busy</a> <a href="/hebrew/2007.htm" title="2007: hên·nāh (Adv) -- They. Prolongation for hen; themselves.">here</a> <a href="/hebrew/2007.htm" title="2007: wā·hên·nāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- They. Prolongation for hen; themselves.">and there,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">the man</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ê·nen·nū (Adv:: 3ms) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">disappeared.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ- (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">And the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so.">“So</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: miš·pā·ṭe·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Judgment. ">shall your judgment be;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2782.htm" title="2782: ḥā·rā·ṣə·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To cut, sharpen, decide. A primitive root; properly, to point sharply, i.e. to wound; figuratively, to be alert, to decide.">you have pronounced it</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">on yourself.”</a> 41Then the prophet quickly removed the bandage from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/25-24.htm">Matthew 25:24-30</a> Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. / So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ / ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. ... <a href="/luke/19-20.htm">Luke 19:20-24</a> Then another servant came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have laid away in a piece of cloth. / For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’ / His master replied, ‘You wicked servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew that I am a harsh man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? ... <a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Matthew 18:23-35</a> Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. / As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him. / Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. ... <a href="/luke/12-47.htm">Luke 12:47-48</a> That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. / But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded. <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Matthew 21:33-41</a> Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. / But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ... <a href="/luke/16-1.htm">Luke 16:1-2</a> Jesus also said to His disciples, “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. / So he called him in to ask, ‘What is this I hear about you? Turn in an account of your management, for you cannot be manager any longer.’ <a href="/matthew/24-45.htm">Matthew 24:45-51</a> Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time? / Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. / Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. ... <a href="/luke/14-16.htm">Luke 14:16-24</a> But Jesus replied, “A certain man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. / When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ / But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.’ ... <a href="/matthew/22-1.htm">Matthew 22:1-14</a> Once again, Jesus spoke to them in parables: / “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. / He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come. ... <a href="/luke/10-30.htm">Luke 10:30-37</a> Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. / Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. / So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side. ... <a href="/matthew/13-24.htm">Matthew 13:24-30</a> Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. / But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. / When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. ... <a href="/luke/8-18.htm">Luke 8:18</a> Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.” <a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21-23</a> Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ <a href="/luke/6-46.htm">Luke 6:46-49</a> Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say? / I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: / He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ... <a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13</a> You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And as your servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said to him, So shall your judgment be; yourself have decided it.Because<a href="/1_kings/20-34.htm">1 Kings 20:34</a> And Benhadad 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.<a href="/1_kings/22-31.htm">1 Kings 22:31-37</a> But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel… <a href="/1_samuel/15-9.htm">1 Samuel 15:9-11</a> But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly… thy life shall go<a href="/1_kings/22-31.htm">1 Kings 22:31-37</a> But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel… <a href="/2_kings/6-24.htm">2 Kings 6:24</a> And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.<a href="/2_kings/8-12.htm">2 Kings 8:12</a> And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/18-27.htm">Busy</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-29.htm">Decided</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-32.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-47.htm">Determined</a> <a href="/luke/24-31.htm">Disappeared</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-16.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-32.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/genesis/38-17.htm">It'</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-9.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-1.htm">Pronounced</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-8.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/1_kings/15-11.htm">Right</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-15.htm">Sentence</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-39.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-9.htm">Thither</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-22.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-37.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-38.htm">Way</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-14.htm">Working</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">Busy</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/2-1.htm">Decided</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-61.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-42.htm">Determined</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-4.htm">Disappeared</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-9.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-41.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/matthew/8-9.htm">It'</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-6.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-25.htm">Pronounced</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-8.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-19.htm">Right</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-6.htm">Sentence</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-53.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm">Thither</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-20.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-32.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-24.htm">Way</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-11.htm">Working</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 20</div>1. <a href="/1_kings/20-1.htm">Ben-Hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria</a> 13. <a href="/1_kings/20-13.htm">By the direction of a prophet, the Syrians are slain</a> 22. <a href="/1_kings/20-22.htm">As the prophet forewarned Ahab, the Syrians come against him in Aphek</a> 28. <a href="/1_kings/20-28.htm">By the word of the prophet, and God's judgment, the Syrians are smitten again</a> 31. <a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm">The Syrians submit; Ahab sends Ben-Hadad away with a covenant</a> 35. <a href="/1_kings/20-35.htm">The prophet, under the parable of a prisoner, </a> 39. <a href="/1_kings/20-39.htm">making Ahab judge himself, denounces God's judgment against him</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But while your servant was busy here and there, the man disappeared. This phrase is part of a parable told by a prophet to King Ahab of Israel. The context is a disguised prophet delivering a message from God after Ahab's victory over Ben-Hadad, king of Aram. The "servant" represents Ahab, who was given a task by God to destroy Ben-Hadad but failed to do so. The phrase "busy here and there" suggests distraction and negligence, highlighting Ahab's failure to fulfill God's command. This reflects a broader biblical theme where leaders are held accountable for their actions, as seen in the parable of the talents (<a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Matthew 25:14-30</a>), where servants are judged based on their stewardship.And the king of Israel said to him, King Ahab, the ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel, is the central figure in this narrative. His reign is marked by idolatry and disobedience to God, influenced by his wife Jezebel. The historical context of Ahab's reign includes political alliances and conflicts, notably with Aram. Ahab's response to the prophet's parable is significant, as it reveals his understanding of justice and accountability, even if he fails to apply it to himself. This moment is a turning point, as Ahab is confronted with his own shortcomings.“So shall your judgment be; Ahab's declaration of judgment is ironic, as he unknowingly pronounces his own condemnation. This reflects a biblical principle where individuals are judged by their own standards, as seen in <a href="/matthew/7-2.htm">Matthew 7:2</a>, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged." The concept of divine justice is central here, where God's standards are immutable, and human leaders are expected to align with them. Ahab's failure to recognize his role in God's plan leads to his downfall.you have pronounced it on yourself.” The prophet's parable serves as a mirror, showing Ahab his own guilt. This self-pronouncement is a common biblical motif, where individuals are confronted with their sins through their own words or actions, similar to Nathan's confrontation with David in <a href="/2_samuel/12.htm">2 Samuel 12:1-7</a>. Theologically, this underscores the idea that God's justice is inescapable and that leaders are accountable for their actions. Ahab's inability to see his own fault until it is too late is a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring divine commands and the consequences of disobedience.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_king_of_israel.htm">The King of Israel</a> This refers to King Ahab, who was the ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel during this time. He is known for his idolatry and conflicts with the prophet Elijah. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_prophet.htm">The Prophet</a> Although not named in this specific verse, the prophet is part of a group of prophets who are delivering a message from God to King Ahab. This prophet uses a parable to convey God's judgment. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_man.htm">The Man</a> In the parable, the "man" represents Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, whom Ahab had released contrary to God's command. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_battle.htm">The Battle</a> The context of this verse is a series of battles between Israel and Aram, where God delivered Aram into Ahab's hands, but Ahab disobeyed God's command by sparing Ben-Hadad. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_disguise.htm">The Disguise</a> The prophet disguises himself to deliver a message to Ahab, using a parable to reveal Ahab's failure to obey God's command.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/a/accountability_to_god's_commands.htm">Accountability to God's Commands</a> Just as Ahab was held accountable for his actions, we are responsible for obeying God's commands in our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a> Disobedience to God can lead to self-pronounced judgment, as seen in Ahab's response to the prophet's parable. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_vigilance.htm">The Importance of Vigilance</a> The phrase "busy here and there" warns us about the dangers of distraction and neglecting our spiritual responsibilities. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a> God's judgments are just and often use our own words and actions to reveal our hearts. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophets_and_parables.htm">The Role of Prophets and Parables</a> Prophets often use parables to communicate deeper truths, challenging us to reflect on our own lives and actions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 20</a> <a href="/q/is_there_non-biblical_proof_of_israel's_win.htm">Is there external evidence outside the Bible confirming Israel's victories over Aram recorded in 1 Kings 20?</a> <a href="/q/could_232_officers_defeat_a_large_army.htm">How plausible is it that just 232 junior officers could rout a massive Aramean army (1 Kings 20:15-21)?</a> <a href="/q/is_1_kings_20_29_historically_supported.htm">Does the claim that 100,000 Aramean foot soldiers were struck down in one day align with any historical or archaeological data (1 Kings 20:29)?</a> <a href="/q/why_the_discrepancy_on_jehoshaphat's_actions.htm">In 1 Kings 22:43, why does the text imply Jehoshaphat removed high places when 2 Chronicles 20:33 suggests otherwise?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 40. - And as thy servant was busy [Heb. doing. The LXX. περιεβλέψατο ὁ δοῦλός σου, and the Vulgate dum ego turbatus hue illucque me verterem, have led some critics to urge the substitution of פֹּגֶה turning, or שֹׁעֶה looking, for עֹשֵׂה doing, in the text. But no alteration is needed] here and there [or hither and thither - the ה is generally local - as in <a href="/joshua/8-20.htm">Joshua 8:20</a>. But sometimes it is merely demonstrative, "here and there," as in <a href="/genesis/21-29.htm">Genesis 21:29</a>, <a href="/daniel/12-5.htm">Daniel 12:5</a>, and so it may be understood here (Gesenius)], he was gone [Heb. he is not]. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it. [Cf. <a href="/2_samuel/12-5.htm">2 Samuel 12:5-7</a>, Ahab has himself pronounced that his judgment is just, and what it shall be.] <a href="/commentaries/1_kings/20-40.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But while your servant עַבְדְּךָ֗ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant was וַיְהִ֣י (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be busy עֹשֵׂ֥ה (‘ō·śêh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make here הֵ֛נָּה (hên·nāh) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2008.htm">Strong's 2008: </a> Hither, thither and there, וָהֵ֖נָּה (wā·hên·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2008.htm">Strong's 2008: </a> Hither, thither [the man] וְה֣וּא (wə·hū) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are disappeared.” אֵינֶ֑נּוּ (’ê·nen·nū) Adverb | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle And the king מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc said וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to him, אֵלָ֧יו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to “So כֵּ֥ן (kên) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3651.htm">Strong's 3651: </a> So -- thus [shall] your judgment [be]; מִשְׁפָּטֶ֖ךָ (miš·pā·ṭe·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style you have pronounced it חָרָֽצְתָּ׃ (ḥā·rā·ṣə·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2782.htm">Strong's 2782: </a> To point sharply, to wound, to be alert, to decide on yourself.” אַתָּ֥ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/20-40.htm">1 Kings 20:40 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_kings/20-40.htm">1 Kings 20:40 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_kings/20-40.htm">1 Kings 20:40 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_kings/20-40.htm">1 Kings 20:40 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_kings/20-40.htm">1 Kings 20:40 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/20-40.htm">1 Kings 20:40 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/20-40.htm">1 Kings 20:40 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/20-40.htm">1 Kings 20:40 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/20-40.htm">1 Kings 20:40 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_kings/20-40.htm">1 Kings 20:40 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-40.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 20:40 As your servant was busy here (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/20-39.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 20:39"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 20:39" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/20-41.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 20:41"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 20:41" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>