1 Kings 20:37

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 20:37 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, smiting and wounding him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, smiting and wounding him.
1 Kings 20:37 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
37Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, smiting and wounding him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then he found another man, and said, smite me, I pray thee, etc.] This is not said to be his neighbour, nor one of the sons of the prophets, but a rustic man, and so stuck not to take him at his word: and the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him; in his face; made some incision in his flesh, broke the skin, and fetched blood of him; perhaps somewhere about his eyes, by what follows: this he got done to him, that he might look like a wounded soldier, and thereby get the more easily to the speech of Ahab.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Smite me: Kg1 20:35; Exo 21:12 so that: etc. Heb. smiting and wounding 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:38”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The disciple of the prophets then asked another to smite him, and he smote him, "smiting and wounding," i.e., so that he not only smote, but also wounded him (vid., Ewald, 280, a.). He wished to be smitten and wounded, not to disguise himself, or that he might be able to appeal loudly to the king for help to obtain his rights, as though he had suffered some wrong (Ewald), nor merely to assume the deceptive appearance of a warrior returning from the battle (Thenius), but to show to Ahab symbolically what he had to expect from Benhadad whom he had released (C. a Lap., Calm., etc.). 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:38”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification