1 Kings 21:28

And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

And the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came to Elijah {H452} the Tishbite {H8664}, saying {H559},

Then the word of ADONAI came to Eliyahu from Tishbe:

Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying:

And the word of Jehovah came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

Commentary

Context of 1 Kings 21:28

This verse marks a pivotal moment following one of the most infamous incidents in Israelite history: the murder of Naboth and the seizure of his vineyard by King Ahab, incited by his wife, Queen Jezebel. Previously, the prophet Elijah the Tishbite had confronted Ahab directly, pronouncing a severe judgment from the LORD upon Ahab, his household, and Jezebel for their wickedness (1 Kings 21:21-24). Surprisingly, Ahab responded to Elijah's words by humbling himself, tearing his clothes, wearing sackcloth, fasting, and walking mournfully (1 Kings 21:27). Verse 28 shows God's immediate and merciful response to this display of contrition, even if it was incomplete or temporary.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Communication: The phrase "the word of the LORD came to Elijah" is a classic prophetic formula, emphasizing that the message is not Elijah's own opinion but a direct, authoritative revelation from God Himself. It underscores God's active involvement in human affairs and His consistent communication with His chosen servants.
  • God's Observance of Human Response: This verse highlights God's attentiveness to human actions and attitudes. Even Ahab's temporary and perhaps superficial repentance did not go unnoticed by God. His response demonstrates His readiness to show mercy and delay judgment when there is any sign of humility.
  • Justice Tempered with Mercy: Despite Ahab's profound wickedness, God's character is revealed as one who is gracious and compassionate. Because Ahab humbled himself, the full severity of the judgment pronounced against his house was delayed and would not occur during his lifetime, but in the days of his son (1 Kings 21:29).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "the word of the LORD came" is "vayhi devar Yahweh" (Χ•Φ·Χ™Φ°Χ”Φ΄Χ™ Χ“Φ°Χ‘Φ·Χ¨ Χ™Φ°Χ”Χ•ΦΈΧ”). This precise phrasing is common throughout the prophetic books of the Old Testament, signifying a direct and undeniable divine mandate. It leaves no room for doubt about the origin or authority of the message Elijah is about to deliver. It speaks to the absolute sovereignty of God in initiating communication with humanity.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful insights for believers today:

  • God is Attentive: God sees and responds to our actions, including our humility and repentance. Even a small step towards Him can elicit His mercy.
  • The Power of God's Word: Just as God spoke directly to Elijah, His word continues to be active and powerful today through the Scriptures. It is our primary means of understanding His will and character (Hebrews 4:12).
  • Divine Patience: God's patience is a profound aspect of His character. He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, providing opportunities for individuals to turn from their ways, even when their hearts are not fully devoted to Him.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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Cross-References

No cross-references found.

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