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1 Kings 22:34

And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

1 Kings 22:34 · King James Version

Meaning

The verse "And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded." from the Bible recounts the story of King Ahab of Israel being fatally wounded in battle. The phrase "drew a bow at a venture" implies that the man who shot the arrow did so randomly or by chance, yet it resulted in a significant outcome. The king's wound between the joints of his armor was a fatal blow, leading to his request to be taken away from the battlefield to safety. This story serves as a vivid example of how even seemingly random actions can have far-reaching consequences and reminds readers of the unpredictability of life. It also emphasizes the theme of fate or divine intervention in the course of events, as the man's arrow ultimately determined the outcome of the battle and the fate of King Ahab.

Theological Overview

This particular verse from the book of 1 Kings 22:34 describes the incident where a man drew a bow at random and ended up hitting the king of Israel, Ahab, between the joints of his armor. The theological interpretation of this verse can be seen as a demonstration of the idea that all things, even seemingly random events, are under the control and providence of God. Despite the man shooting the arrow at random, it ultimately hit its target as part of God's divine plan. Some scholars also point out the significance of the word "venture" in the verse, indicating a sense of uncertainty or randomness in the man's action. This can be seen as a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and unpredictability, God is still in control. The word studies related to this verse could delve into the meanings of words like "venture," "harness," and "host," providing further insight into the historical context and nuances of the passage. Overall, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and control over all things, even those that seem random or accidental to us.

1 Kings 22:34 in other translations

American Standard Version

And a certain man drew his bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the armor: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thy hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am sore wounded.

World English Bible

A certain man drew his bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of the armor. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn your hand, and carry me out of the battle; for I am severely wounded.”

Douay-Rheims

And a certain man bent his bow, shooting at a venture, and chanced to strike the king of Israel, between the lungs and the stomach. But he said to the driver of his chariot: Turn thy hand, and carry me out of the army, for I am grievously wounded.

Geneva Bible (1599)

Then a certaine man drewe a bow mightily and smote the King of Israel betweene the ioyntes of his brigandine. Wherefore he sayde vnto his charet man, Turne thine hand and cary me out of the hoste: for I am hurt.