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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Kings 20:31 Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, "Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_kings/20-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/11_1Ki_20_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Kings 20:31 - Ahab Spares Ben-hadad" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. 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Let us go to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/1_kings/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> Ben-hadad’s officers said to him, “Sir, we have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful. So let’s humble ourselves by wearing burlap around our waists and putting ropes on our heads, and surrender to the king of Israel. Then perhaps he will let you live.” <a href="/esv/1_kings/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> And his servants said to him, “Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Let us put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads and go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life.” <a href="/bsb/1_kings/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.” <a href="/kjv/1_kings/20.htm">King James Bible</a> And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life. <a href="/nkjv/1_kings/20.htm">New King James Version</a> Then his servants said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please, let us put sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare your life.” <a href="/nasb_/1_kings/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But his servants said to him, “Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let’s put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will let you live.” <a href="/nasb/1_kings/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> His servants said to him, &#8220Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings, please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will save your life.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/1_kings/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And his servants said to him, “Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings, please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will save your life.” <a href="/lsb/1_kings/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then his servants said to him, “Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are kings of lovingkindness, please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will preserve your life.” <a href="/amp/1_kings/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But his servants said to him, “We have heard that the kings of the house (royal line) of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth around our loins and ropes on our necks [as symbols of submission], and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare your life.” <a href="/csb/1_kings/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> His servants said to him, “Consider this: we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. So let’s put sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads, and let’s go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life.” <a href="/hcsb/1_kings/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> His servants said to him, &#8220Consider this: we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. So let&#8217s put sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads, and let&#8217s go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life.&#8221 <a href="/asv/1_kings/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, we pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life. <a href="/cev/1_kings/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> His officials said, "Your Majesty, we've heard that Israel's kings keep their agreements. We will wrap sackcloth around our waists, put ropes around our heads, and ask Ahab to let you live." <a href="/erv/1_kings/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, we pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life. <a href="/gwt/1_kings/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> His officers told him, "We have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful. Allow us to dress in sackcloth, put ropes around our necks, and go to the king of Israel. Maybe he'll let you live." <a href="/gnt/1_kings/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> His officials went to him and said, "We have heard that the Israelite kings are merciful. Give us permission to go to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our necks, and maybe he will spare your life." <a href="/isv/1_kings/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Look, now," his advisors suggested, "we've heard that the Israeli kings are merciful. So let's clothe ourselves with sackcloth, tie our hair back with ropes, and go out to the king of Israel. Maybe he'll spare your life." <a href="/msb/1_kings/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, ?Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.? <a href="/net/1_kings/20.htm">NET Bible</a> His advisers said to him, "Look, we have heard that the kings of the Israelite dynasty are kind. Allow us to put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads and surrender to the king of Israel. Maybe he will spare our lives." <a href="/nheb/1_kings/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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." <a href="/wbt/1_kings/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And his servants said to him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: it may be he will save thy life. <a href="/web/1_kings/20.htm">World English Bible</a> 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.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_kings/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And his servants say to him, “Now behold, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel—that they are kind kings; please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes on our heads, and we go out to the king of Israel; it may be he keeps you alive.” <a href="/ylt/1_kings/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And his servants say unto him, 'Lo, we pray thee, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel -- that they are kind kings; let us put, we pray thee, sackcloth on our loins, and ropes on our heads, and we go out unto the king of Israel; it may be he doth keep thee alive.' <a href="/slt/1_kings/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And his servants will say to him, Behold now, we heard that the kings of the house of Israel that they are kings of mercy; we will now put sackcloth upon our loins and ropes upon our heads, and we will go forth to the king of Israel; perhaps he will save alive thy soul.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_kings/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And his servants said to him: Behold, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful: so let us put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: perhaps he will save our lives. <a href="/cpdv/1_kings/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And his servants said to him: “Behold, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel show clemency. And so, let us put sackcloth around our waists, and ropes on our heads, and let us go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will save our lives.” <a href="/nabre/1_kings/20.htm">New American Bible</a> His servants said to him: “We have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Allow us, therefore, to garb ourselves in sackcloth, with cords around our heads, and go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life.” <a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> His servants said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings; let us put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare your life.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And his servants came near and said to him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful kings; let us put sackcloth upon our heads and gird ropes on our loins and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare our lives. <a href="/hpbt/1_kings/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And his Servants approached and they were saying to him: “Behold, we hear that Kings of Israel are good Kings; let us bind sackcloth on our heads and ropes on our loins and we will go forth to the King of Israel; perhaps he will save our lives.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_kings/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And his servants said unto him: 'Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings; let us, we pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; peradventure he will save thy life.' <a href="/sep/1_kings/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he said to his servants, I know that the kings of Israel are merciful kings: let us now put sackcloth upon our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and let us go forth to the king of Israel, if by any means he will save our souls alive. <a href="/parallel/1_kings/20-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=8152" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_kings/20.htm">Ahab Spares Ben-hadad</a> 31<a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">Then the servants of Ben-hadad</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh- (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">“Look</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">now,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šā·ma‘·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">we have heard</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: mal·ḵê (N-mpc) -- King. From malak; a king.">the kings</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">of the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2617.htm" title="2617: ḥe·seḏ (N-ms) -- Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty. From chacad; kindness; by implication piety: rarely reproof, or Beauty.">are merciful.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: mal·ḵê (N-mpc) -- King. From malak; a king."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: wə·nê·ṣê (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.h-1cp) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">Let us go out</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: nā·śî·māh (V-Qal-Imperf.Cohort-1cp) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8242.htm" title="8242: śaq·qîm (N-mp) -- Sack, sackcloth. From shaqaq; properly, a mesh, i.e. Coarse loose cloth or sacking; hence, a bag.">sackcloth</a> <a href="/hebrew/4975.htm" title="4975: bə·mā·ṯə·nê·nū (Prep-b:: N-mdc:: 1cp) -- Loins. From an unused root meaning to be slender; properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins.">around our waists</a> <a href="/hebrew/2256.htm" title="2256: wa·ḥă·ḇā·lîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin.">and ropes</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: bə·rō·šê·nū (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 1cp) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">around our heads.</a> <a href="/hebrew/194.htm" title="194: ’ū·lay (Adv) -- Perhaps. Or rulay; from 'ow; if not; hence perhaps.">Perhaps</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: yə·ḥay·yeh (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">he will spare</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·še·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">your life.”</a> 32So with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.’ ” And the king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_kings/7-4.htm">2 Kings 7:4</a> If we say, ‘Let us go into the city,’ we will die there from the famine in the city; but if we sit here, we will also die. So come now, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.” <a href="/2_kings/10-4.htm">2 Kings 10:4-5</a> But they were terrified and reasoned, “If two kings could not stand against him, how can we?” / So the palace administrator, the overseer of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent a message to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you say. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever is good in your sight.” <a href="/joshua/9-8.htm">Joshua 9:8-11</a> “We are your servants,” they said to Joshua. Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you and where have you come from?” / “Your servants have come from a very distant land,” they replied, “because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard the reports about Him: all that He did in Egypt, / and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. ... <a href="/1_samuel/11-1.htm">1 Samuel 11:1-2</a> Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” / But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.” <a href="/1_samuel/27-1.htm">1 Samuel 27:1</a> David, however, said to himself, “One of these days now I will be swept away by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop searching for me all over Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.” <a href="/2_samuel/10-19.htm">2 Samuel 10:19</a> When all the kings who were subject to Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore. <a href="/2_chronicles/32-11.htm">2 Chronicles 32:11-12</a> Is not Hezekiah misleading you to give you over to death by famine and thirst when he says, ‘The LORD our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria?’ / Did not Hezekiah himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn sacrifices’? <a href="/isaiah/36-11.htm">Isaiah 36:11-12</a> Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.” / But the Rabshakeh replied, “Has my master sent me to speak these words only to you and your master, and not to the men sitting on the wall, who are destined with you to eat their own dung and drink their own urine?” <a href="/jeremiah/38-17.htm">Jeremiah 38:17-18</a> Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, this city will not be burned down, and you and your household will survive. / But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans. They will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.’” <a href="/ezekiel/17-15.htm">Ezekiel 17:15</a> But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ <a href="/matthew/5-25.htm">Matthew 5:25</a> Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. <a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16</a> Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. <a href="/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31-32</a> Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace. <a href="/luke/16-8.htm">Luke 16:8</a> The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light. <a href="/romans/12-18.htm">Romans 12:18</a> If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And his servants said to him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray you, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save your life.the men<a href="/proverbs/25-13.htm">Proverbs 25:13</a> As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.<a href="/luke/16-8.htm">Luke 16:8</a> And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.and he caused<a href="/2_kings/10-15.htm">2 Kings 10:15</a> And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.<a href="/acts/8-31.htm">Acts 8:31</a> And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/31-12.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-19.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-12.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-6.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-29.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-24.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-14.htm">Life</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-26.htm">Merciful</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-27.htm">Peradventure</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-13.htm">Ropes</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-10.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-5.htm">Save</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-23.htm">Servants</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/20-32.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-32.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-15.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-43.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-32.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-39.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-39.htm">Life</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/30-9.htm">Merciful</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-16.htm">Peradventure</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-32.htm">Ropes</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-32.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-31.htm">Save</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-3.htm">Servants</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 20</div>1. <a href="/1_kings/20-1.htm">Ben-Hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria</a> 13. <a href="/1_kings/20-13.htm">By the direction of a prophet, the Syrians are slain</a> 22. <a href="/1_kings/20-22.htm">As the prophet forewarned Ahab, the Syrians come against him in Aphek</a> 28. <a href="/1_kings/20-28.htm">By the word of the prophet, and God's judgment, the Syrians are smitten again</a> 31. <a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm">The Syrians submit; Ahab sends Ben-Hadad away with a covenant</a> 35. <a href="/1_kings/20-35.htm">The prophet, under the parable of a prisoner, </a> 39. <a href="/1_kings/20-39.htm">making Ahab judge himself, denounces God's judgment against him</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him Ben-hadad was the king of Aram (Syria), a frequent adversary of Israel. His servants, likely advisors or military officers, are speaking to him after a defeat. This reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient Near Eastern courts, where kings often relied on the counsel of trusted servants. The mention of Ben-hadad connects this event to the broader narrative of conflict between Israel and Aram, seen throughout the books of Kings.“Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. The reputation of Israelite kings as merciful may stem from the covenantal laws given by God, which emphasized justice tempered with mercy (<a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6-7</a>). This perception could also be influenced by previous interactions with Israelite kings, who may have shown clemency in past conflicts. The concept of mercy is a recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting God's own nature and His expectations for His people (<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>).Let us go out to the king of Israel This suggests a plan to approach King Ahab of Israel directly. In ancient times, direct appeals to a king were often made in person, reflecting the personal nature of royal diplomacy. The act of going out to meet the king indicates a willingness to submit and seek terms of peace, a common practice in ancient warfare when one side was defeated.with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Wearing sackcloth and ropes was a sign of humility, repentance, and supplication. Sackcloth, a coarse material, was traditionally worn during times of mourning or distress (<a href="/genesis/37-34.htm">Genesis 37:34</a>, <a href="/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5</a>). Ropes around the head could symbolize submission or captivity, indicating that they were at the mercy of the victor. This imagery is consistent with other biblical accounts where individuals humble themselves before a king or God to seek favor or forgiveness.Perhaps he will spare your life.” The hope for mercy reflects the ancient practice of sparing defeated kings or leaders, sometimes to secure political alliances or to extract tribute. This plea for life underscores the desperation of Ben-hadad's situation and the power dynamics at play. The notion of sparing life resonates with biblical themes of grace and redemption, where mercy triumphs over judgment (<a href="/james/2-13.htm">James 2:13</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/b/ben-hadad.htm">Ben-Hadad</a> The king of Aram (Syria) who was defeated by the Israelites. He is seeking mercy after his defeat. 2. <a href="/topical/s/servants_of_ben-hadad.htm">Servants of Ben-Hadad</a> Advisers to the king of Aram who suggest a strategy to appeal to the mercy of the king of Israel. 3. <a href="/topical/a/ahab.htm">Ahab</a> The king of Israel at the time, known for his complex character and interactions with prophets and foreign nations. 4. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The northern kingdom of the divided Israelite monarchy, often in conflict with surrounding nations. 5. <a href="/topical/s/sackcloth_and_ropes.htm">Sackcloth and Ropes</a> Symbols of humility and submission, used by Ben-Hadad's servants to appeal for mercy.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_mercy.htm">The Power of Mercy</a> Mercy is a powerful tool that can transform relationships and situations. Ahab's potential for mercy reflects God's own merciful nature. <a href="/topical/h/humility_in_seeking_forgiveness.htm">Humility in Seeking Forgiveness</a> The act of wearing sackcloth and ropes symbolizes humility and repentance. True repentance requires a humble heart. <a href="/topical/t/the_influence_of_reputation.htm">The Influence of Reputation</a> The reputation of Israel's kings as merciful influenced the actions of Ben-Hadad's servants. Our reputations as Christians should reflect Christ's love and mercy. <a href="/topical/s/strategic_wisdom_in_conflict.htm">Strategic Wisdom in Conflict</a> The servants' advice to Ben-Hadad shows the importance of wisdom and strategy in resolving conflicts. We should seek godly wisdom in our interactions. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a> Ahab's decision-making highlights the responsibility of leaders to act justly and mercifully. Christian leaders are called to reflect God's character in their leadership.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 20</a> <a href="/q/is_there_non-biblical_proof_of_israel's_win.htm">Is there external evidence outside the Bible confirming Israel's victories over Aram recorded in 1 Kings 20?</a> <a href="/q/could_232_officers_defeat_a_large_army.htm">How plausible is it that just 232 junior officers could rout a massive Aramean army (1 Kings 20:15-21)?</a> <a href="/q/is_1_kings_20_29_historically_supported.htm">Does the claim that 100,000 Aramean foot soldiers were struck down in one day align with any historical or archaeological data (1 Kings 20:29)?</a> <a href="/q/could_one_city_wall_kill_27,000_men.htm">Could a single city wall realistically collapse and kill 27,000 men, as the text asserts (1 Kings 20:30)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_kings/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) Ropes upon our heads--like "the ropes round the necks" of the burghers of Calais, in the days of Edward III. The envoys offer themselves as naked, helpless criminals, to sue for mercy.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 31. - And his servants [Possibly the very same men who (ver. 23) had counselled this second expedition] said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings [As no doubt they were when compared with contemporary pagan sovereigns]: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins [in token of humiliation and contrition, שַׂק is identical, radically, with σάκκος, saccus, and our sack], and ropes upon our heads [i.e., round our necks. To show how completely they were at Ahab's mercy. Bahr shows that this custom still exists in China but the well-known story of the citizens of Calais, after its siege by Edward III., supplies a closer illustration], and go out [Heb. go] to the king of Israel [It would appear from the language of ver. 33 am if Ahab's army was now besieging the place. He himself may have kept at a safe distance from it]: peradventure he will save thy life. [LXX. our lives, τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.] <a href="/commentaries/1_kings/20-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then the servants of [Ben-hadad] עֲבָדָיו֒ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant said וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to him, אֵלָיו֮ (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to “Look הִנֵּֽה־ (hin·nêh-) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! now, נָ֣א (nā) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> I pray', 'now', 'then' we have heard שָׁמַ֔עְנוּ (šā·ma‘·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently that כִּ֗י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction the kings מַלְכֵי֙ (mal·ḵê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king of the house בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc are merciful. חֶ֖סֶד (ḥe·seḏ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2617.htm">Strong's 2617: </a> Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty Let us go out וְנֵצֵא֙ (wə·nê·ṣê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the king מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc [with] נָשִׂ֣ימָה (nā·śî·māh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> Put -- to put, place, set sackcloth שַׂקִּ֨ים (śaq·qîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8242.htm">Strong's 8242: </a> A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag around our waists בְּמָתְנֵ֜ינוּ (bə·mā·ṯə·nê·nū) Preposition-b | Noun - mdc | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4975.htm">Strong's 4975: </a> The waist, small of the back, the loins and ropes וַחֲבָלִ֣ים (wa·ḥă·ḇā·lîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2256.htm">Strong's 2256: </a> A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin around our heads. בְּרֹאשֵׁ֗נוּ (bə·rō·šê·nū) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head Perhaps אוּלַ֖י (’ū·lay) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_194.htm">Strong's 194: </a> Perhaps he will spare יְחַיֶּ֥ה (yə·ḥay·yeh) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> To live, to revive your life.? נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃ (nap̄·še·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/20-31.htm">1 Kings 20:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_kings/20-31.htm">1 Kings 20:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_kings/20-31.htm">1 Kings 20:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_kings/20-31.htm">1 Kings 20:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_kings/20-31.htm">1 Kings 20:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/20-31.htm">1 Kings 20:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/20-31.htm">1 Kings 20:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/20-31.htm">1 Kings 20:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/20-31.htm">1 Kings 20:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_kings/20-31.htm">1 Kings 20:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 20:31 His servants said to him See now (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/20-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 20:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 20:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/20-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 20:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 20:32" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>