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1 Kings 20:41

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 20:41 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he hasted, and took the headband away from his eyes; and the king of israel discerned him that he was of the prophets.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he hasted, and took the headband away from his eyes; and the king of israel discerned him that he was of the prophets.
1 Kings 20:41 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
38So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with his headband over his eyes.
39And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king; and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.
40And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
41And he hasted, and took the headband away from his eyes; and the king of israel discerned him that he was of the prophets.
42And he said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.
43And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria.
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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 he hasted, and took away the ashes from his face, etc.] Took off the linen cloth from his eyes, unveiled or unmasked himself: and the king of Israel discerned him, that he was of the prophets; he knew him again, having seen him once or twice before; otherwise there could be nothing in his face that could discover him to be a prophet, rather he was to be known by his habit.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He was of the prophets - Josephus and others conjecture that this prophet was Micaiah, the son of Imlah (but compare 1 Kings 20:13 note). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the ashes away: Kg1 20:38; Sa2 13:19; Job 2:8; Jer 6:26 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:42”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then the disciple of the prophets drew the bandage quickly from his eyes, so that the king recognised him as a prophet, and announced to him the word of the Lord: "Because thou hast let go out of thy hand the man of my ban (i.e., Benhadad, who has fallen under my ban), thy life shall stand for his life, and thy people for his people," i.e., the destruction to which Benhadad was devoted will fall upon thee and thy people. The expression אישׁ־חרמי (man of my ban) showed Ahab clearly enough what ought to have been done with Benhadad. A person on whom the ban was pronounced was to be put to death ( Lev 27:29). 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:43”
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Sources and verification