1 Kings 20:31 Cross References

And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life.

Previous Verse
« 1 Kings 20:30
Next Verse
1 Kings 20:32 »

Uncover the Rich Themes and Topics of This Bible Verse

Listed below are the Bible themes associated with 1 Kings 20:31. We invite you to explore each theme to gain deeper insights into the Scriptures.

1 Kings 20:31 Cross Reference Verses

This section features a detailed cross-reference designed to enrich your understanding of the Scriptures. Below, you will find carefully selected verses that echo the themes and teachings related to 1 Kings 20:31 KJV. Click on any image to explore detailed analyses of related Bible verses and uncover deeper theological insights.

Genesis 37:34 KJV Bible Verse Image
Genesis 37:34 (KJV) »
And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

2 Samuel 3:31 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Samuel 3:31 (KJV) »
And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.

1 Kings 20:23 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Kings 20:23 (KJV) »
And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.

Isaiah 22:12 KJV Bible Verse Image
Isaiah 22:12 (KJV) »
And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:

Isaiah 16:5 KJV Bible Verse Image
Isaiah 16:5 (KJV) »
And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.

Isaiah 37:1 KJV Bible Verse Image
Isaiah 37:1 (KJV) »
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

Jonah 3:5 KJV Bible Verse Image
Jonah 3:5 (KJV) »
So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

Matthew 10:28 KJV Bible Verse Image
Matthew 10:28 (KJV) »
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Ephesians 1:7 KJV Bible Verse Image
Ephesians 1:7 (KJV) »
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Proverbs 20:28 KJV Bible Verse Image
Proverbs 20:28 (KJV) »
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

Job 2:4 KJV Bible Verse Image
Job 2:4 (KJV) »
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

Esther 4:16 KJV Bible Verse Image
Esther 4:16 (KJV) »
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Esther 4:1 KJV Bible Verse Image
Esther 4:1 (KJV) »
When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;

2 Kings 19:1 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 19:1 (KJV) »
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 5:13 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 5:13 (KJV) »
And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

2 Kings 7:4 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 7:4 (KJV) »
If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

1 Kings 21:27 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Kings 21:27 (KJV) »
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

2 Samuel 14:2 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Samuel 14:2 (KJV) »
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:

Revelation 11:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
Revelation 11:3 (KJV) »
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

1 Kings 20:31 Verse Analysis and Similar Verses

Meaning and Interpretation of 1 Kings 20:31

1 Kings 20:31 states: “And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings; let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life.”

Summary of the Verse

This verse illustrates a moment of desperation as the servants of Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, recognize the merciful nature of the kings of Israel. They suggest that by humbling themselves—donning sackcloth and ropes—they might appeal to King Ahab’s compassion and seek to avoid peril.

Commentary Insights

  • Matthew Henry: Henry emphasizes the theme of humility and repentance. The servants acknowledge their king’s failure and seek mercy from Ahab. This reflects a broader truth about seeking forgiveness and grace before those in authority.
  • Albert Barnes: Barnes points out the ironic contrast between the historical enmity and Ahab’s potential for mercy. The servants’ actions demonstrate a turning point, where even enemies can appeal to a sense of justice and clemency.
  • Adam Clarke: Clarke notes that the attire of sackcloth signifies mourning and a plea for mercy. He further explains the cultural significance of such acts in ancient Near Eastern diplomacy. It symbolizes submission and the hope for salvage from certain doom.

Thematic Bible Verse Connections

This verse connects with several themes in Scripture, particularly those of mercy, judgment, and intercessory grace. Below are other Bible verses that relate to the themes and actions demonstrated in 1 Kings 20:31:

  • Exodus 34:6-7: Highlights God's merciful nature, connecting to Ahab’s potential compassion.
  • Judges 10:15: The people of Israel cry out for divine mercy, paralleling the servants' plea.
  • Psalms 51:17: A contrite heart is highly valued by God, akin to the humility shown here.
  • Luke 18:13: The tax collector’s humble prayer exemplifies the posture for receiving mercy.
  • James 2:13: A reminder that mercy triumphs over judgment, an essential biblical principle echoed in this narrative.
  • Romans 9:15: God’s sovereign choice to show mercy to whom He wills reflects the same dynamic of grace.
  • 1 John 1:9: A call for confession and the assurance of forgiveness reflects the themes at play.
  • Hebrews 4:16: Encouragement to approach the throne of grace boldly ties back to the act of seeking mercy.
  • Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful,” echoes the importance of mercy in human relationships.
  • Galatians 6:1: A call to restore those caught in transgression, reminding us to act with mercy.

Cross-Referencing Biblical Texts

Cross-referencing can amplify understanding of Scripture, helping believers see interconnected truths across the Bible. The following discussion outlines how 1 Kings 20:31 fits into broader biblical themes:

  • How to find cross-references in the Bible: Utilizing a Bible concordance can aid in locating thematically related verses, deepening interpretation.
  • Cross-reference Bible study: Comparing this verse with others can illuminate the complexities of divine mercy and human humility.
  • Bible reference resources: Utilizing tools like bible cross-reference guides can enhance personal and group study.
  • Identifying connections between Old and New Testament: This verse connects well with the broader narrative of God's redemptive mercy evident in the New Testament.
  • How do [two specific Bible verses] connect: Analyzing verses like Exodus 34 and Luke 18 can provide insight into humanity's need for grace.

Practical Applications

Believers may consider the following practical applications of 1 Kings 20:31:

  • Personal Humility: The notion of putting on sackcloth symbolizes the need for humility in seeking forgiveness and restoration.
  • Recognition of Others' Mercy: Acknowledging the potential for mercy in others encourages us to seek reconciliation, rather than only justice.
  • Intercessory Actions: Just as the servants appeal to Ahab, believers are encouraged to intercede for others, seeking God’s favor and kindness for them.

Conclusion

The narrative surrounding 1 Kings 20:31 highlights profound themes of humility, mercy, and the nature of intercessory grace. By cross-referencing with numerous biblical texts, the spiritual and practical implications are enhanced, bringing clarity and depth to our understanding of this Scripture. Through engaging in comparative Bible verse analysis, one grows in knowledge of God's character and His expectations of humanity.