📖 Zechariah — Chapter 1 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Zechariah 1:1 In Rthe eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
Zechariah 1:2 The RLORD hath been Tsore displeased with your fathers.
Zechariah 1:3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 1:4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; RTurn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.
Zechariah 1:5 RYour fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
Zechariah 1:6 But Rmy words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not Ttake hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
Zechariah 1:7 Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
Zechariah 1:8 I saw Rby night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, Tspeckled, and white.
Zechariah 1:9 Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And Rthe angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
Zechariah 1:10 And Rthe man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
Zechariah 1:11 And Rthey answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
Zechariah 1:12 Then Rthe angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?
Zechariah 1:13 And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me Rwith good words and comfortable words.
Zechariah 1:14 So Rthe angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
Zechariah 1:15 RAnd I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
Zechariah 1:16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; RI am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
Zechariah 1:17 Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; RMy cities through Tprosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
Zechariah 1:18 Then Rlifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.
Zechariah 1:19 And I said unto the angel that talked with me, RWhat be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.
Zechariah 1:20 And the LORD shewed me Rfour carpenters.
Zechariah 1:21 Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, RThese are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Zechariah 1:1–6 — Return rather than repeat the fathers’ refusal
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The dated word recalls the Lord’s displeasure and the fathers’ failure to hear earlier prophets. The call to turn is accompanied by the reminder that the Lord’s words overtook their ways.
Key Truth: Receive correction while it is given.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the ____ of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,” (Zechariah 1:1)
Find it in Zechariah 1:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your ____ ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not …” (Zechariah 1:4)
Find it in Zechariah 1:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “But my ____ and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, …” (Zechariah 1:6)
Find it in Zechariah 1:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Zechariah 1:7–17 — The night vision brings comforting words for Jerusalem
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Riders among myrtle trees report a quiet earth, and the angel asks about Jerusalem’s long affliction. The Lord answers with comfort, displeasure at nations that increased the harm, and promises of rebuilding and renewed choice.
Key Truth: Let hope of mercy sustain a faithful return.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the ____ of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,” (Zechariah 1:7)
Find it in Zechariah 1:7 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have ____ on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which …” (Zechariah 1:12)
Find it in Zechariah 1:12 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, ____ , Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous …” (Zechariah 1:14)
Find it in Zechariah 1:14 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Zechariah 1:18–21 — The scattering horns meet opposing carpenters
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Four horns are identified as those scattering Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. Four carpenters come to frighten and cast down the powers that lifted their horns against the land.
Key Truth: Do not regard oppressive power as permanent.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four …” (Zechariah 1:18)
Find it in Zechariah 1:18 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And the ____ shewed me four carpenters.” (Zechariah 1:20)
Find it in Zechariah 1:20 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And I ____ unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? …” (Zechariah 1:19)
Find it in Zechariah 1:19 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Haggai 1:13 — Haggai’s assurance of the Lord’s presence also encourages the rebuilding community.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What earlier warning should help you respond faithfully today?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Zechariah 1:1–6 (Return rather than repeat the fathers’ refusal) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Zechariah 1:7–17 (The night vision brings comforting words for Jerusalem) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Zechariah 1:18–21 (The scattering horns meet opposing carpenters) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What reciprocal promise accompanies the call to turn?
5. What increases the LORD's displeasure with the nations at ease?
Notes
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