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1 Kings 20:17

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 20:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Ben-hadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out from Samaria.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Ben-hadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out from Samaria.
1 Kings 20:17 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith Jehovah, By the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, Thou.
15Then he mustered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty-two: and after them he mustered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.
16And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.
17And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Ben-hadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out from Samaria.
18And he said, Whether they are come out for peace, take them alive, or whether they are come out for war, taken them alive.
19So these went out of the city, the young men of the princes of the provinces, and the army which followed them.
20And they slew every one his man; and the Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them: and Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with horsemen.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first, etc.] From Samaria, before the 7000 did: and Benhadad sent out; of his pavilion, a messenger or messengers to his sentinels, to know what news, and how matters stood, whether Ahab had sent any message, signifying his compliance with his terms: and they told him, saying, there are men come out of Samaria; but upon what account they could not say.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ben-hadad sent out, and they told him - The Septuagint has a better reading: “they sent and told the king of Syria.” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:17 first contingent: Ahab apparently sent this small squad to test the enemy. Surprise attacks in the ancient Near East often divided the attacking forces into assault groups designed to launch a pincer movement against the enemy (Judg 7:16; 1 Sam 11:11), to lure the opposing forces into an ambush (Josh 8:15-22), or to draw the enemy to a spot where the attacking army enjoyed a superior position (Judg 4:14-16; 5:19-21).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Kg1 20:14, Kg1 20:15, Kg1 20:19 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:18”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Kings 20 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification