300. 'And a crown was given unto him' signifies his badge of combat. A 'crown' signifies a badge of combat because in ancient times the kings in battles used to wear crowns, as can be established from the histories, and somewhat from 2 Sam. i 10 where
the man said to David concerning Saul, that when he had died in the battle, he took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelets that were upon his arm.
Then also, from the things that are related of the king of Rabbah and David (2 Sam. xii 29, 30). And as temptations are spiritual combats, and the martyrs sustained these, therefore crowns were given to them as badges of victory (n. 103). It is plain from these considerations that by 'crown' here is signified their badge of combat, and therefore it follows 'And he went forth conquering and to conquer'.