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1 Kings 20:21

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 20:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.
1 Kings 20:21 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
21And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.
22And the prophet came near to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest; for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.
23And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their god is a god 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.
24And do this thing: take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their room;
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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 king of Israel went out, etc.] Of Samaria; when he saw the Syrians fleeing, and his army pursuing, he went forth, perhaps, with more forces, who were now willing to join with him; Josephus f423 says, Ahab had another army within the walls: and smote the horses and chariots; that is, the men that rode on horses; and in chariots, the Syrian cavalry: and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter; how many were slain is not said; but the Jewish historian f424 says they plundered the camp, in which were much riches, and great plenty of gold and silver, and took their chariots and horses, and returned to the city of Samaria.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The king went - Proceeded further in his march. Smote the chariots - The men that fought from them. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:22”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“went out: Jdg 3:28, Jdg 7:23-25; Sa1 14:20-22, Sa1 17:52; Kg2 3:18, Kg2 3:24 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:22”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification