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World English Bible Classic
[1] Ben Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together; and there were thirty-two kings with him, with horses and chariots. He went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it. [2] He sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, “Ben Hadad says, [3] ‘Your silver and your gold are mine. Your wives also and your children, even the best, are mine.’ ” [4] The king of Israel answered, “It is according to your saying, my lord, O king. I am yours, and all that I have.” [5] The messengers came again and said, “Ben Hadad says, ‘I sent indeed to you, saying, “You shall deliver me your silver, your gold, your wives, and your children; [6] but I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they will search your house and the houses of your servants. Whatever is pleasant in your eyes, they will put it in their hand, and take it away.” ’ ” [7] Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, “Please notice how this man seeks mischief; for he sent to me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I didn’t deny him.” [8] All the elders and all the people said to him, “Don’t listen, and don’t consent.” [9] Therefore he said to the messengers of Ben Hadad, “Tell my lord the king, ‘All that you sent for to your servant at the first I will do, but this thing I cannot do.’ ”The messengers departed and brought him back the message. [10] Ben Hadad sent to him, and said, “The gods do so to me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria will be enough for handfuls for all the people who follow me.” [11] The king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Don’t let him who puts on his armor brag like he who takes it off.’ ” [12] When Ben Hadad heard this message as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, he said to his servants, “Prepare to attack!” So they prepared to attack the city. [13] Behold, a prophet came near to Ahab king of Israel, and said, “Yahweh says, ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.’ ” [14] Ahab said, “By whom?”He said, “Yahweh says, ‘By the young men of the princes of the provinces.’ ”Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?”He answered, “You.” [15] Then he mustered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty-two. After them, he mustered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand. [16] They went out at noon. But Ben Hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty-two kings who helped him. [17] The young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Ben Hadad sent out, and they told him, saying, “Men are coming out from Samaria.” [18] He said, “If they have come out for peace, take them alive; or if they have come out for war, take them alive.” [19] So these went out of the city, the young men of the princes of the provinces, and the army which followed them. [20] They each killed his man. The Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them. Ben Hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with horsemen. [21] The king of Israel went out and struck the horses and chariots, and killed the Syrians with a great slaughter. [22] The prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, “Go, strengthen yourself, and plan what you must do, for at the return of the year, the king of Syria will come up against you.” [23] The servants of the king of Syria said to him, “Their god is a god of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we. But let’s fight against them in the plain, and surely we will be stronger than they. [24] Do this thing: take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their place. [25] Muster an army like the army that you have lost, horse for horse and chariot for chariot. We will fight against them in the plain, and surely we will be stronger than they are.”He listened to their voice and did so. [26] At the return of the year, Ben Hadad mustered the Syrians and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel. [27] The children of Israel were mustered and given provisions, and went against them. The children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of young goats, but the Syrians filled the country. [28] A man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Yahweh says, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “Yahweh is a god of the hills, but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am Yahweh.’ ” [29] They encamped opposite each other for seven days. Then on the seventh day the battle was joined; and the children of Israel killed one hundred thousand footmen of the Syrians in one day. [30] But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand men who were left. Ben Hadad fled and came into the city, into an inner room. [31] His servants said to him, “See now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth on our bodies and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel. Maybe he will save your life.” [32] So they put sackcloth on their bodies and ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, “Your servant Ben Hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’ ”He said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” [33] Now the men observed diligently and hurried to take this phrase; and they said, “Your brother Ben Hadad.”Then he said, “Go, bring him.”Then Ben Hadad came out to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot. [34] Ben Hadad said to him, “The cities which my father took from your father I will restore. You shall make streets for yourself in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria.”“I”, said Ahab, “will let you go with this covenant.” So he made a covenant with him and let him go. [35] A certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his fellow by Yahweh’s word, “Please strike me!”The man refused to strike him. [36] Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed Yahweh’s voice, behold, as soon as you have departed from me, a lion will kill you.” As soon as he had departed from him, a lion found him and killed him. [37] Then he found another man, and said, “Please strike me.”The man struck him and wounded him. [38] So the prophet departed and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with his headband over his eyes. [39] As the king passed by, he cried to the king, and he said, “Your servant went out into the middle of the battle; and behold, a man came over and brought a man to me, and said, ‘Guard this man! If by any means he is missing, then your life shall be for his life, or else you shall pay a talentⓘ of silver.’ [40] As your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.”The king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be. You yourself have decided it.” [41] He hurried, and took the headband away from his eyes; and the king of Israel recognized that he was one of the prophets. [42] He said to him, “Yahweh says, ‘Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life will take the place of his life, and your people take the place of his people.’ ” [43] The king of Israel went to his house sullen and angry, and came to Samaria.

Footnotes

  1. ⓘ 20:39 A talent is about 30 kilograms or 66 pounds
King James Version

Syria Attacks Israel

[1] And Ben-hadad H1130 the king H4428 of Syria H758 gathered H6908 all his host H2428 together: H6908 (QalPerf) and there were thirty H7970 and two H8147 kings H4428 with him, and horses, H5483 and chariots: H7393 and he went up H5927 (QalImpf) and besieged H6696 (QalImpf) Samaria, H8111 and warred H3898 (NiphImpf) against it. [2] And he sent H7971 (QalImpf) messengers H4397 to Ahab H256 king H4428 of Israel H3478 into the city, H5892 and said H559 (QalImpf) unto him, Thus saith H559 (QalPerf) Ben-hadad, H1130 [3] Thy silver H3701 and thy gold H2091 is mine; thy wives H802 also and thy children, H1121 even the goodliest, H2896 are mine. [4] And the king H4428 of Israel H3478 answered H6030 (QalImpf) and said, H559 (QalImpf) My lord, H113 O king, H4428 according to thy saying, H1697 I am thine, and all that I have. [5] And the messengers H4397 came again, H7725 (QalImpf) and said, H559 (QalImpf) Thus speaketh H559 (QalPerf) Ben-hadad, H1130 saying, H559 (QalInf) Although I have sent H7971 (QalPerf) unto thee, saying, H559 (QalInf) Thou shalt deliver H5414 (QalImpf) me thy silver, H3701 and thy gold, H2091 and thy wives, H802 and thy children; H1121 [6] yet I will send H7971 (QalImpf) my servants H5650 unto thee to morrow H4279 about this time, H6256 and they shall search H2664 (PielPerf) thine house, H1004 and the houses H1004 of thy servants; H5650 and it shall be, H1961 (QalPerf) that whatsoever is pleasant§ H4261 in thine eyes, H5869 they shall put H7760 (QalImpf) it in their hand, H3027 and take it away. H3947 (QalPerf) [7] Then the king H4428 of Israel H3478 called H7121 (QalImpf) all the elders H2205 of the land, H776 and said, H559 (QalImpf) Mark, H3045 (QalImpv) I pray you, and see H7200 (QalImpv) how this man seeketh H1245 (PielPtc) mischief: H7451 for he sent H7971 (QalPerf) unto me for my wives, H802 and for my children, H1121 and for my silver, H3701 and for my gold; H2091 and I denied H4513 (QalPerf) him not.§ [8] And all the elders H2205 and all the people H5971 said H559 (QalImpf) unto him, Hearken H8085 (QalImpf) not unto him, nor consent. H14 (QalImpf) [9] Wherefore he said H559 (QalImpf) unto the messengers H4397 of Ben-hadad, H1130 Tell H559 (QalImpv) my lord H113 the king, H4428 All that thou didst send H7971 (QalPerf) for to thy servant H5650 at the first H7223 I will do: H6213 (QalImpf) but this thing H1697 I may H3201 (QalImpf) not do. H6213 (QalInf) And the messengers H4397 departed, H3212 (QalImpf) and brought H7725 him word H1697 again. H7725 (HiphImpf) [10] And Ben-hadad H1130 sent H7971 (QalImpf) unto him, and said, H559 (QalImpf) The gods H430 do so H6213 (QalImpf) unto me, and more also, H3254 (HiphImpf) if the dust H6083 of Samaria H8111 shall suffice H5606 (QalImpf) for handfuls H8168 for all the people H5971 that follow H7272 me.§ [11] And the king H4428 of Israel H3478 answered H6030 (QalImpf) and said, H559 (QalImpf) Tell H1696 (PielImpv) him, Let not him that girdeth H2296 (QalActPtc) on his harness boast H1984 (HithImpf) himself as he that putteth it off. H6605 (PielPtc) [12] And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard H8085 (QalInf) this message, H1697§ as he was drinking, H8354 (QalActPtc) he and the kings H4428 in the pavilions, H5521 that he said H559 (QalImpf) unto his servants, H5650 Set H7760 (QalImpv) yourselves in array. And they set H7760 (QalImpf) themselves in array against the city. H5892 [13] And, behold, there came H5066 (NiphPerf)§ a H259 prophet H5030 unto Ahab H256 king H4428 of Israel, H3478 saying, H559 (QalImpf) Thus saith H559 (QalPerf) the Lord, H3068 Hast thou seen H7200 (QalPerf) all this great H1419 multitude? H1995 behold, I will deliver H5414 (QalActPtc) it into thine hand H3027 this day; H3117 and thou shalt know H3045 (QalPerf) that I am the Lord. H3068 [14] And Ahab H256 said, H559 (QalImpf) By whom? And he said, H559 (QalImpf) Thus saith H559 (QalPerf) the Lord, H3068 Even by the young men§ H5288 of the princes H8269 of the provinces. H4082 Then he said, H559 (QalImpf) Who shall order H631 (QalImpf)§ the battle? H4421 And he answered, H559 (QalImpf) Thou. [15] Then he numbered H6485 (QalImpf) the young men H5288 of the princes H8269 of the provinces, H4082 and they were two H8147 hundred H3967 and thirty H7970 two: H8147 and after H310 them he numbered H6485 (QalPerf) all the people, H5971 even all the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 being seven H7651 thousand. H505 [16] And they went out H3318 (QalImpf) at noon. H6672 But Ben-hadad H1130 was drinking H8354 (QalActPtc) himself drunk H7910 in the pavilions, H5521 he and the kings, H4428 the thirty H7970 and two H8147 kings H4428 that helped H5826 (QalActPtc) him. [17] And the young men H5288 of the princes H8269 of the provinces H4082 went out H3318 (QalImpf) first; H7223 and Ben-hadad H1130 sent out, H7971 (QalImpf) and they told H5046 (HiphImpf) him, saying, H559 (QalInf) There are men H582 come out H3318 (QalPerf) of Samaria. H8111 [18] And he said, H559 (QalImpf) Whether they be come out H3318 (QalPerf) for peace, H7965 take H8610 (QalImpv) them alive; H2416 or whether they be come out H3318 (QalPerf) for war, H4421 take H8610 (QalImpv) them alive. H2416 [19] So these young men H5288 of the princes H8269 of the provinces H4082 came out H3318 (QalPerf) of the city, H5892 and the army H2428 which followed H310 them. [20] And they slew H5221 (HiphImpf) every one H376 his man: H376 and the Syrians H758 fled; H5127 (QalImpf) and Israel H3478 pursued H7291 (QalImpf) them: and Ben-hadad H1130 the king H4428 of Syria H758 escaped H4422 (NiphImpf) on an horse H5483 with the horsemen. H6571 [21] And the king H4428 of Israel H3478 went out, H3318 (QalImpf) and smote H5221 (HiphImpf) the horses H5483 and chariots, H7393 and slew H5221 (HiphPerf) the Syrians H758 with a great H1419 slaughter. H4347 [22] And the prophet H5030 came H5066 (QalImpf) to the king H4428 of Israel, H3478 and said H559 (QalImpf) unto him, Go, H3212 (QalImpv) strengthen H2388 (HithImpv) thyself, and mark, H3045 (QalImpv) and see H7200 (QalImpv) what thou doest: H6213 (QalImpf) for at the return H8666 of the year H8141 the king H4428 of Syria H758 will come up H5927 (QalActPtc) against thee. [23] And the servants H5650 of the king H4428 of Syria H758 said H559 (QalPerf) unto him, Their gods H430 are gods H430 of the hills; H2022 therefore they were stronger H2388 (QalPerf) than we; but H199 let us fight H3898 (NiphImpf) against them in the plain, H4334 and surely H3808 we shall be stronger H2388 (QalImpf) than they. [24] And do H6213 (QalImpv) this thing, H1697 Take H5493 (HiphImpv) the kings H4428 away, every man H376 out of his place, H4725 and put H7760 (QalImpv) captains H6346 in their rooms: [25] and number H4487 (QalImpf) thee an army, H2428 like the army H2428 that thou hast lost, H5307 (QalActPtc)§ horse H5483 for horse, H5483 and chariot H7393 for chariot: H7393 and we will fight H3898 (NiphImpf) against H854 them in the plain, H4334 and surely we shall be stronger H2388 (QalImpf) than they. And he hearkened H8085 (QalImpf) unto their voice, H6963 and did so. H6213 (QalImpf) [26] And it came to pass at the return H8666 of the year, H8141 that Ben-hadad H1130 numbered H6485 (QalImpf) the Syrians, H758 and went up H5927 (QalImpf) to Aphek, H663 to fight H4421 against Israel. H3478§ [27] And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 were numbered, H6485 (HotpPerf) and were all present, H3557 (PolpPerf)§ and went H3212 (QalImpf) against H7125 (QalInf) them: and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 pitched H2583 (QalImpf) before them like two H8147 little flocks H2835 of kids; H5795 but the Syrians H758 filled H4390 (PielPerf) the country. H776 [28] And there came H5066 (QalImpf) a man H376 of God, H430 and spake H559 (QalImpf) unto the king H4428 of Israel, H3478 and said, H559 (QalImpf) Thus saith H559 (QalPerf) the Lord, H3068 Because the Syrians H758 have said, H559 (QalPerf) The Lord H3068 is God H430 of the hills, H2022 but he is not God H430 of the valleys, H6010 therefore will I deliver H5414 (QalPerf) all this great H1419 multitude H1995 into thine hand, H3027 and ye shall know H3045 (QalPerf) that I am the Lord. H3068 [29] And they pitched H2583 (QalImpf) one H428 over against H5227 the other H428 seven H7651 days. H3117 And so it was, that in the seventh H7637 day H3117 the battle H4421 was joined: H7126 (QalImpf) and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 slew H5221 (HiphImpf) of the Syrians H758 an hundred H3967 thousand H505 footmen H7273 in one H259 day. H3117 [30] But the rest H3498 (NiphPtc) fled H5127 (QalImpf) to Aphek, H663 into the city; H5892 and there a wall H2346 fell H5307 (QalImpf) upon twenty H6242 and seven H7651 thousand H505 of the men H376 that were left. H3498 (NiphPtc) And Ben-hadad H1130 fled, H5127 (QalPerf) and came H935 (QalImpf) into the city, H5892 into an inner H2315 chamber. H2315§ [31] And his servants H5650 said H559 (QalImpf) unto him, Behold now, we have heard H8085 (QalPerf) that the kings H4428 of the house H1004 of Israel H3478 are merciful H2617 kings: H4428 let us, I pray thee, put H7760 (QalImpf) sackcloth H8242 on our loins, H4975 and ropes H2256 upon our heads, H7218 and go out H3318 (QalImpf) to the king H4428 of Israel: H3478 peradventure he will save H2421 (PielImpf) thy life. H5315 [32] So they girded H2296 (QalImpf) sackcloth H8242 on their loins, H4975 and put ropes H2256 on their heads, H7218 and came H935 (QalImpf) to the king H4428 of Israel, H3478 and said, H559 (QalImpf) Thy servant H5650 Ben-hadad H1130 saith, H559 (QalPerf) I pray thee, let me live. H2421 (QalImpf) And he said, H559 (QalImpf) Is he yet alive? H2416 he is my brother. H251 [33] Now the men H582 did diligently observe H5172 (PielImpf) whether any thing would come from him, and did hastily H4116 (PielImpf) catch H2480 (HiphImpf) it: and they said, H559 (QalImpf) Thy brother H251 Ben-hadad. H1130 Then he said, H559 (QalImpf) Go H935 (QalImpv) ye, bring H3947 (QalImpv) him. Then Ben-hadad H1130 came forth H3318 (QalImpf) to him; and he caused him to come up H5927 (HiphImpf) into the chariot. H4818 [34] And Ben-hadad said H559 (QalImpf) unto him, The cities, H5892 which my father H1 took H3947 (QalPerf) from thy father, H1 I will restore; H7725 (HiphImpf) and thou shalt make H7760 (QalImpf) streets H2351 for thee in Damascus, H1834 as my father H1 made H7760 (QalPerf) in Samaria. H8111 Then said Ahab, I will send thee away H7971 (PielImpf) with this covenant. H1285 So he made H3772 (QalImpf) a covenant H1285 with him, and sent him away. H7971 (PielImpf) [35] And a certain H259 man H376 of the sons H1121 of the prophets H5030 said H559 (QalPerf) unto his neighbour H7453 in the word H1697 of the Lord, H3068 Smite H5221 (HiphImpv) me, I pray thee. And the man H376 refused H3985 (PielImpf) to smite H5221 (HiphInf) him. [36] Then said H559 (QalImpf) he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed H8085 (QalPerf) the voice H6963 of the Lord, H3068 behold, as soon as thou art departed H1980 (QalActPtc) from me, a lion H738 shall slay H5221 (HiphPerf) thee. And as soon as he was departed H3212 (QalImpf) from him, H681 a lion H738 found H4672 (QalImpf) him, and slew H5221 (HiphImpf) him. [37] Then he found H4672 (QalImpf) another H312 man, H376 and said, H559 (QalImpf) Smite H5221 (HiphImpv) me, I pray thee. And the man H376 smote H5221 (HiphImpf) him, so that in smiting H5221 (HiphInf) he wounded H6481 (QalInf) him.§ [38] So the prophet H5030 departed, H3212 (QalImpf) and waited H5975 (QalImpf) for the king H4428 by the way, H1870 and disguised H2664 (HithImpf) himself with ashes H666 upon his face. H5869 [39] And as the king H4428 passed by, H5674 (QalActPtc) he cried H6817 (QalPerf) unto the king: H4428 and he said, H559 (QalImpf) Thy servant H5650 went out H3318 (QalPerf) into the midst H7130 of the battle; H4421 and, behold, a man H376 turned aside, H5493 (QalPerf) and brought H935 (HiphImpf) a man H376 unto me, and said, H559 (QalImpf) Keep H8104 (QalImpv) this man: H376 if by any means H6485 (NiphInf) he be missing, H6485 (NiphImpf) then shall thy life H5315 be for his life, H5315 or else thou shalt pay H8254 (QalImpf)§ a talent H3603 of silver. H3701 [40] And as thy servant H5650 was busy H6213 (QalActPtc) here and there, he was gone. H369§ And the king H4428 of Israel H3478 said H559 (QalImpf) unto him, So shall thy judgment H4941 be; thyself hast decided H2782 (QalPerf) it. [41] And he hasted, H4116 (PielImpf) and took the ashes H666 away H5493 (HiphImpf) from his face; H5869 and the king H4428 of Israel H3478 discerned H5234 (HiphImpf) him that he was of the prophets. H5030 [42] And he said H559 (QalImpf) unto him, Thus saith H559 (QalPerf) the Lord, H3068 Because thou hast let go H7971 (PielPerf) out of thy hand H3027 a man H376 whom I appointed to utter destruction, H2764 therefore thy life H5315 shall go for his life, H5315 and thy people H5971 for his people. H5971 [43] And the king H4428 of Israel H3478 went H3212 (QalImpf) to his house H1004 heavy H5620 and displeased, H2198 and came H935 (QalImpf) to Samaria. H8111

Footnotes

  1. § 20:6 Heb. desirable
  2. § 20:7 Heb. I kept not back from him
  3. § 20:10 Heb. are at my feet
  4. § 20:12 Heb. word
  5. § 20:13 Heb. approached
  6. § 20:14a Or, servants
  7. § 20:14b Heb. bind, or, tie
  8. § 20:25 Heb. that was fallen
  9. § 20:26 Heb. to the war with Israel
  10. § 20:27 Or, were victualled
  11. § 20:30 Or, from chamber to chamber. Heb. into a chamber within a chamber
  12. § 20:37 Heb. smiting and wounding
  13. § 20:39 Heb. weigh
  14. § 20:40 Heb. he was not
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