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1 Kings 20:25

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 20:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot; and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot; and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.
1 Kings 20:25 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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;
25and number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot; and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.
26And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Ben-hadad mustered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.
27And the children of Israel were mustered, and were victualled, and went against them: and the children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.
28And a man of God came near and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, Because the Syrians have said, Jehovah is a god of the hills, but he is not a god of the valleys; therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thy hand, and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.
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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 number thee an army like the army that thou hast lost, etc.] Raise an army of an equal number, which they supposed he was able to do: horse for horse and chariot for chariot; as many horses and chariots as he had before: and we will fight against them in the plain; where they could make use of their horses and chariots to greater advantage than on hills and mountains, (see <070119>Judges 1:19) and surely we shall be stronger than they; and beat them: and he hearkened unto their voice, and did so; took their counsel, and prepared an army, and placed captains in it instead of kings.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thou hast lost: Heb. was fallen and surely: Psa 10:3 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:26”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification