1 Kings 20:1–15

War with Aram

1 Now aBen-hadad king of Aram gathered all his army, band there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and cbesieged Samaria and fought against it.

2 Then he sent messengers to the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, “Thus says Ben-hadad,

3 ‘Your silver and your gold are mine; your most beautiful wives and children are also mine.’ ”

4 The king of Israel replied, “It is according to your word, my lord, O king; I am yours, and all that I have.”

5 Then the messengers returned and said, “Thus says 1Ben-hadad, ‘Surely, I sent to you saying, “You shall give me your silver and your gold and your wives and your children,”

6 but about this time tomorrow I will send my servants to you, and they will search your house and the houses of your servants; and 1whatever is desirable in your eyes, they will 2take in their hand and carry away.’ ”

7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, “Please observe and asee how this man is looking for trouble; for he sent to me for my wives and my children and my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him.”

8 All the elders and all the people said to him, “Do not listen or consent.”

9 So 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.’ ” And the messengers departed and brought him word again.

10 Ben-hadad sent to him and said, “May athe gods do so to me and more also, if the dust of Samaria will suffice for handfuls for all the people who 1follow me.”

11 Then the king of Israel replied, “Tell him, ‘aLet not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off.’ ”

12 When Ben-hadad heard this message, as ahe was drinking 1with the kings in the 2temporary shelters, he said to his servants, “Station yourselves.” So they stationed themselves against the city.

Ahab Victorious

13 Now behold, a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, aI will deliver them into your hand today, and byou shall know that I am the Lord.’ ”

14 Ahab said, “By whom?” So he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘By the young men of the rulers of the provinces.’ ” Then he said, “Who shall 1begin the battle?” And he 2answered, “You.”

15 Then he mustered the young men of the rulers of the provinces, and there were 232; and after them he mustered all the people, even all the sons of Israel, 7,000.