1 Kings 21:10

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 21:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and set two men, base fellows, before him, and let them bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst curse God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him to death.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and set two men, base fellows, before him, and let them bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst curse God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him to death.
1 Kings 21:10 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10and set two men, base fellows, before him, and let them bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst curse God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him to death.

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 set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, etc.] Worthless wretches, that have cast off the yoke of the law, as Belial signifies, lawless abandoned creatures, that have no conscience of anything; “knights of the post”, as we call them, that will swear anything; these were to be set before Naboth, right against him to confront him, and accuse him to his face, and charge him with crimes next mentioned: saying, thou didst blaspheme God and the king: and so was guilty of death for the former, if not for both, and of confiscation of estate for the latter, which was the thing aimed at; and Jezebel was willing to make sure work of it, and therefore would have him…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Sons of Belial - i. e., “worthless persons” (Deuteronomy 13:13 note). Witnesses must be two in number according to the Law Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15. The word rendered “blaspheme” is that which commonly means “bless.” The opposite sense of “cursing,” seems, however, to be required here and in Job 1:5, Job 1:11; Job 2:5. Perhaps the best explanation of the bad sense of the original word is to be found in the practice of blessing by way of salutation, not only on meeting, but also on taking leave Genesis 47:7, Genesis 47:10. From the latter custom the word came to mean “bidding farewell to,” and so “renouncing,” “casting off,” “cursing.” Carry him out and stone him -…”
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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
“Blaspheme God and the king - Indeed his blaspheming God would only be the forfeiture of his life, not his estate. Therefore he is charged with treason also, that his estate may be confiscated, and so Ahab have his vineyard. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 21:13”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“21:10 scoundrels (literally sons of Belial): The Hebrew expression refers to totally evil reprobates (Deut 13:13; Judg 19:22; 1 Sam 10:27; Prov 6:12). Later Jewish writings attributed the name Belial to Satan, a use reflected by Paul in the New Testament (2 Cor 6:15). • Legally, two witnesses were needed to establish a charge against a person (Deut 19:15; Matt 18:16). The twofold charge of Naboth’s blasphemy against God and against the king carried a penalty of death by stoning outside the city (Deut 17:5-6; 22:24). Naboth was apparently put to death on his own land (see 2 Kgs 9:21-26).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“two men: Deu 19:15; Mat 26:59, Mat 26:60; Act 6:11 sons of Belial: Deu 13:13; Jdg 19:22 Thou didst blaspheme: Some, with Parkhurst, would render the original, bairachta elohim wamailech, "Thou hast blessed the gods and Molech;" a sense, however, which seems extremely forced, and is not acknowledged by any of the ancient versions, though the LXX and Vulgate render bairachta by ευλογησε, benedixit, "blessed." It is no unusual thing for a word to have opposite senses. Exo 22:28; Lev 24:15; Mat 26:59-66; Joh 10:33; Act 6:13 3 Kings (1 Kings) 21:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification