And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets.
Parallel translations
- WEB He hurried, and took the headband away from his eyes; and the king of Israel recognized that he was one of the prophets.
- BSB Then the prophet quickly removed the bandage from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets.
- ESV Then he hurried to take the bandage away from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets.
- NKJV And he hastened to take the bandage away from his eyes; and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets.
- NASB Then he quickly took the bandage away from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him, that he was one of the prophets.
- NLT Then the prophet quickly pulled the bandage from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The prophet removes his disguise, and Ahab recognizes him as one of the prophets. The confrontation now turns directly on the king.
Overview
Pulling the bandage from his eyes, the man reveals himself to be a prophet, and Ahab realizes he has been led into a trap. The unveiling marks the shift from parable to direct accusation, as God's spokesman prepares to deliver the divine verdict. Ahab's recognition confirms that the word about to come carries the authority of the Lord.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- 2 Sam 13:19And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
- 1 Kgs 20:38So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.
- Jer 6:26O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
- Job 2:8And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Solomon's glory, wisdom, and temple where God's presence dwells are a shadow of the greater Son of David — 'one greater than Solomon is here' — and of the true Temple, Christ himself.
How 1 Kings 20:41 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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