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He is my brother.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/1_kings/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> So they put on burlap and ropes, and they went to the king of Israel and begged, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please let me live!’” The king of Israel responded, “Is he still alive? He is my brother!” <a href="/esv/1_kings/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> So they tied sackcloth around their waists and put ropes on their heads and went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please, let me live.’” And he said, “Does he still live? He is my brother.” <a href="/bsb/1_kings/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So 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.” <a href="/kjv/1_kings/20.htm">King James Bible</a> So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Benhadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother. <a href="/nkjv/1_kings/20.htm">New King James Version</a> So they wore sackcloth around their waists and put ropes around their heads, and came to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-Hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’ ” And he said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” <a href="/nasb_/1_kings/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So they put sackcloth around their waists and ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’” And Ahab said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” <a href="/nasb/1_kings/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> So they girded sackcloth on their loins and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel and said, &#8220Your servant Ben-hadad says, &#8216Please let me live.&#8217&#8221 And he said, &#8220Is he still alive? He is my brother.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/1_kings/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> So they girded sackcloth on their loins and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’” And he said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” <a href="/lsb/1_kings/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So they girded sackcloth on their loins and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’” And he said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” <a href="/amp/1_kings/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So they put sackcloth around their loins and ropes on their necks, and came to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’” And Ahab asked, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” <a href="/csb/1_kings/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So they dressed with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, went to the king of Israel, and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.’ ” So he said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” <a href="/hcsb/1_kings/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So they dressed with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, went to the king of Israel, and said, &#8220Your servant Ben-hadad says, &#8216Please spare my life.&#8217&#8221 So he said, &#8220Is he still alive? He is my brother.&#8221 <a href="/asv/1_kings/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Ben-hadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother. <a href="/cev/1_kings/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They dressed in sackcloth and put ropes on their heads, then they went to Ahab and said, "Your servant Benhadad asks you to let him live." "Is he still alive?" Ahab asked. "Benhadad is like a brother to me." <a href="/erv/1_kings/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Ben-hadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother. <a href="/gwt/1_kings/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So they dressed in sackcloth and put ropes around their necks. They went to the king of Israel and said, "Your servant Benhadad says, 'Please let me live.' " Ahab asked, "He's still alive? He's my brother." <a href="/gnt/1_kings/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> So they wrapped sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their necks, went to Ahab and said, "Your servant Benhadad pleads with you for his life." Ahab answered, "Is he still alive? Good! He's like a brother to me!" <a href="/isv/1_kings/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> So they put on some sackcloth, tied their hair back with ropes, and approached the king of Israel. "Your servant Ben-hadad says this," they said. "Please let me live." "Is he still alive?" Ahab asked. "He's my brother." <a href="/msb/1_kings/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So 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.? <a href="/net/1_kings/20.htm">NET Bible</a> So they put sackcloth around their waists and ropes on their heads and went to the king of Israel. They said, "Your servant Ben Hadad says, 'Please let me live!'" Ahab replied, "Is he still alive? He is my brother." <a href="/nheb/1_kings/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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." <a href="/wbt/1_kings/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Ben-hadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother. <a href="/web/1_kings/20.htm">World English Bible</a> 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.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_kings/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And they gird sackcloth on their loins, and ropes [are] on their heads, and they come to the king of Israel, and say, “Your servant Ben-Hadad has said, Please let me live”; and he says, “Is he still alive? He [is] my brother.” <a href="/ylt/1_kings/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And they gird sackcloth on their loins, and ropes are on their heads, and they come in unto the king of Israel, and say, 'Thy servant Ben-Hadad hath said, Let me live, I pray thee;' and he saith, 'Is he yet alive? he is my brother.' <a href="/slt/1_kings/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will bind sackcloth upon their loins, and ropes upon their heads, and they will come to the king of Israel, and say, Thy servant Ben-hadad said, Now wilt thou save alive my soul? And he will say, Is he yet living? he is my brother.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_kings/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said to him: Thy servant Benadad saith: I beseech thee let me have my life. And he said: If he be yet alive he is my brother. <a href="/cpdv/1_kings/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> So they wrapped sackcloth around their waists, and they placed ropes on their heads. And they went to the king of Israel, and they said to him: “Your servant, Benhadad, says: ‘I beg you to let my soul live.’ ” And he replied, “If he is still alive, he is my brother.” <a href="/nabre/1_kings/20.htm">New American Bible</a> Dressed in sackcloth girded at the waist and wearing cords around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Spare my life!’ ” He asked, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” <a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So they tied sackcloth around their waists, put ropes on their heads, went to the king of Israel, and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’” And he said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So they put sackcloth on their heads and girded ropes on their loins, and went to the king of Israel and said to him, Your servant Bar-hadad says. Let me live. And the king said, Is he still alive? He is my brother. <a href="/hpbt/1_kings/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they bound sackcloth on their heads and ropes on their loins, and they came to the King of Israel, and they said to him: “Your Servant, BarHadad, said, ‘Spare my life!’” And he said: “Is he still alive? He is my brother!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_kings/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said: 'Thy servant Ben-hadad saith: I pray thee, let me live.' And he said: 'Is he yet alive? he is my brother.' <a href="/sep/1_kings/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> So they girt sackcloth upon their loins, and put ropes upon their heads, and said to the king of Israel, Thy servant the son of Ader says, Let our souls live, I pray thee. And he said, Does he yet live? He is my brother. <a href="/parallel/1_kings/20-32.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=8171" 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> 31Then 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.” 32<a href="/hebrew/2296.htm" title="2296: way·yaḥ·gə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To gird, gird on, gird oneself. A primitive root; to gird on.">So with</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·hem (Prep-b:: N-mdc:: 3mp) -- Loins. From an unused root meaning to be slender; properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins.">around their 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·rā·šê·hem (Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">around their heads,</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">they went</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/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·də·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">“Your servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/1130.htm" title="1130: ḇen- (Prep) -- From ben and Hadad; son of Hadad; Ben-Hadad, the name of several Syrian kings."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1130.htm" title="1130: hă·ḏaḏ (N-proper-ms) -- From ben and Hadad; son of Hadad; Ben-Hadad, the name of several Syrian kings.">Ben-hadad</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">‘Please</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: tə·ḥî- (V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-3fs) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">spare</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">my life.’”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">And the king answered,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5750.htm" title="5750: ha·‘ō·w·ḏen·nū (Adv:: 3ms) -- Or rod; from uwd; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially, again, repeatedly, still, more.">“Is he still</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay (Adj-ms) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">alive?</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">He</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">is my brother.”</a> 33Now the men were looking for a sign of hope, and they quickly grasped at this word and replied, “Yes, your brother Ben-hadad.” “Go and get him!” said the king. Then Ben-hadad came out, and Ahab had him come up into his chariot.…<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="/1_samuel/15-30.htm">1 Samuel 15:30-31</a> “I have sinned,” Saul replied. “Please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.” / So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. <a href="/2_kings/3-12.htm">2 Kings 3:12-13</a> Jehoshaphat affirmed, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. / Elisha, however, said to the king of Israel, “What have we to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and of your mother!” “No,” replied the king of Israel, “for it is the LORD who has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” <a href="/2_samuel/10-1.htm">2 Samuel 10:1-2</a> Some time later, the king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son Hanun. / And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console Hanun concerning his father. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites, <a href="/2_kings/5-15.htm">2 Kings 5:15</a> Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” <a href="/2_kings/8-7.htm">2 Kings 8:7-9</a> Then Elisha came to Damascus while Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God has come here.” / So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” / So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” <a href="/2_kings/10-15.htm">2 Kings 10:15</a> When he left there, he found Jehonadab son of Rechab, who was coming to meet him. Jehu greeted him and asked, “Is your heart as true to mine as my heart is to yours?” “It is!” Jehonadab replied. “If it is,” said Jehu, “give me your hand.” So he gave him his hand, and Jehu helped him into his chariot, <a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">2 Samuel 12:13</a> Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die. <a href="/2_kings/6-21.htm">2 Kings 6:21-23</a> And when the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” / “Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.” / So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again. <a href="/2_kings/9-18.htm">2 Kings 9:18-19</a> So a horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” And the watchman reported, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.” / So the king sent out a second horseman, who went to them and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” <a href="/2_kings/18-14.htm">2 Kings 18:14</a> So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand from me.” And the king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. <a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a> But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, <a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a> But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. <a href="/romans/12-20.htm">Romans 12:20-21</a> On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Matthew 18:21-22</a> Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! <a href="/luke/17-3.htm">Luke 17:3-4</a> Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Your servant Benhadad said, I pray you, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother.The cities<a href="/1_kings/15-20.htm">1 Kings 15:20</a> So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.<a href="/2_chronicles/16-4.htm">2 Chronicles 16:4</a> And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.<a href="/1_kings/20-42.htm">1 Kings 20:42</a> And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.<a href="/1_kings/22-31.htm">1 Kings 22:31</a> But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.<a href="/2_chronicles/18-30.htm">2 Chronicles 18:30</a> Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/20-18.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-30.htm">Ben</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-30.htm">Benhadad</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-30.htm">Ben-Hadad</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-30.htm">Ben-Ha'dad</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-46.htm">Gird</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-46.htm">Girded</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-30.htm">Hadad</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-31.htm">Haircloth</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-61.htm">Live</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-7.htm">Please</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm">Ropes</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-9.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-30.htm">Wearing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/21-15.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-33.htm">Ben</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-33.htm">Benhadad</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-33.htm">Ben-Hadad</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-34.htm">Ben-Ha'dad</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-35.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-29.htm">Gird</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-18.htm">Girded</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-33.htm">Hadad</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-27.htm">Haircloth</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-31.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-40.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-7.htm">Live</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-35.htm">Please</a> <a href="/job/39-5.htm">Ropes</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-27.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-39.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-2.htm">Wearing</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>So with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads In ancient Near Eastern culture, wearing sackcloth and ropes was a sign of deep humility, repentance, or mourning. Sackcloth, typically made from coarse goat's hair, was uncomfortable and symbolized self-affliction. The ropes around their heads could signify submission or a plea for mercy, indicating they were at the mercy of the king. This act of humility was a common practice in the ancient world when seeking clemency from a superior, reflecting a recognition of one's lowly status and the authority of the one approached.they went to the king of Israel The king of Israel at this time was Ahab, who reigned from approximately 874 to 853 BC. Ahab was known for his complex character, often depicted as a king who wavered between following God and succumbing to idolatry, largely influenced by his wife Jezebel. The political landscape was tumultuous, with Israel often in conflict with neighboring kingdoms like Aram (Syria). This visit to Ahab highlights the desperation of Ben-hadad's servants, seeking peace after a series of military defeats.and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.’” Ben-hadad, the king of Aram, had previously been a formidable enemy of Israel, leading campaigns against them. His plea for life indicates a significant shift in power dynamics, as he acknowledges his defeat and subjugation to Ahab. The term "your servant" is a formal expression of submission, recognizing Ahab's authority over him. This request for mercy is a pivotal moment, reflecting the ancient practice of kings granting clemency to defeated foes, which could lead to political alliances or vassalage.And the king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” Ahab's response is surprising, given the enmity between Israel and Aram. By referring to Ben-hadad as "my brother," Ahab uses a term that implies equality and potential alliance, rather than enmity. This could reflect a political strategy, as forming alliances with former enemies was a common practice to ensure peace and stability. Ahab's willingness to spare Ben-hadad's life may also indicate a desire to strengthen his own position by securing a powerful ally. This decision, however, would later be criticized by the prophet, as it went against God's command to completely defeat Israel's enemies, highlighting Ahab's tendency to prioritize political expediency over divine instruction.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/b/ben-hadad.htm">Ben-hadad</a> The king of Aram (Syria) who had previously attacked Israel but was now seeking mercy from the king of Israel after being defeated. 2. <a href="/topical/k/king_of_israel.htm">King of Israel</a> Ahab, the king of Israel, who is approached by Ben-hadad's servants seeking mercy for their king. 3. <a href="/topical/s/sackcloth_and_ropes.htm">Sackcloth and Ropes</a> Symbols of humility and submission, indicating Ben-hadad's desperate plea for mercy. 4. <a href="/topical/a/aram.htm">Aram (Syria)</a> The nation that Ben-hadad ruled, which was in conflict with Israel. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_servants_of_ben-hadad.htm">The Servants of Ben-hadad</a> Messengers sent to plead for Ben-hadad's life, demonstrating the king's submission and request for peace.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_seeking_mercy.htm">Humility in Seeking Mercy</a> The act of wearing sackcloth and ropes symbolizes humility and repentance. In our lives, approaching God with a humble heart is essential when seeking His mercy and forgiveness. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_mercy.htm">The Power of Mercy</a> Ahab's response to Ben-hadad's plea demonstrates the power of mercy. As Christians, we are called to extend mercy to others, reflecting God's grace in our interactions. <a href="/topical/r/recognizing_god's_sovereignty.htm">Recognizing God's Sovereignty</a> The events leading to this plea for mercy highlight God's sovereignty in the affairs of nations. Trusting in God's control can bring peace amidst conflict. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_misplaced_alliances.htm">The Danger of Misplaced Alliances</a> Ahab's reference to Ben-hadad as "my brother" suggests a potential compromise. Believers must be cautious about forming alliances that may lead them away from God's will.<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/can_prayer_alter_god's_decisions.htm">Can prayer alter God's decisions?</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/evidence_for_asa's_treaty_with_ben-hadad.htm">Does any historical evidence support or contradict Asa's treaty with Ben-hadad of Syria in 1 Kings 15:18-20?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 32. - So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Ben-hadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. [Compare with this abject petition for life the arrogant insolence of vers. 6, 10. The tables are indeed turned.] And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother. <a href="/commentaries/1_kings/20-32.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So [with] וַיַּחְגְּרוּ֩ (way·yaḥ·gə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2296.htm">Strong's 2296: </a> To gird, gird on, gird oneself 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 their waists בְּמָתְנֵיהֶ֜ם (bə·mā·ṯə·nê·hem) Preposition-b | Noun - mdc | third person masculine 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 their heads, בְּרָאשֵׁיהֶ֗ם (bə·rā·šê·hem) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head they went וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go 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 and said, וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (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 “Your servant עַבְדְּךָ֧ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant Ben-hadad הֲדַ֛ד (hă·ḏaḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1130.htm">Strong's 1130: </a> Ben-hadad -- 'son of Hadad', the name of several Aramean (Syrian) kings says, אָמַ֖ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say ‘Please נָ֣א (nā) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> I pray', 'now', 'then' spare תְּחִֽי־ (tə·ḥî-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> To live, to revive my life.’” נַפְשִׁ֑י (nap̄·šî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion And [the king] answered, וַיֹּ֛אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Is he still הַעוֹדֶ֥נּוּ (ha·‘ō·w·ḏen·nū) Adverb | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5750.htm">Strong's 5750: </a> Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more alive? חַ֖י (ḥay) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life He הֽוּא׃ (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is my brother.” אָחִ֥י (’ā·ḥî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/20-32.htm">1 Kings 20:32 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_kings/20-32.htm">1 Kings 20:32 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_kings/20-32.htm">1 Kings 20:32 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_kings/20-32.htm">1 Kings 20:32 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_kings/20-32.htm">1 Kings 20:32 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/20-32.htm">1 Kings 20:32 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/20-32.htm">1 Kings 20:32 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/20-32.htm">1 Kings 20:32 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/20-32.htm">1 Kings 20:32 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_kings/20-32.htm">1 Kings 20:32 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-32.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 20:32 So they girded sackcloth on their bodies (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 20:31"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 20:31" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/20-33.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 20:33"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 20:33" /></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>