1 Kings 20:4

4 The king of Israel accepted the terms: "As you say, distinguished lord; I and everything I have is yours."

1 Kings 20:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:4

And the king of Israel answered and said, my lord, O king
So he said to Benhadad's messengers, representing him, as acknowledging his sovereignty over him:

according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have:
which he understood of holding all that he had of him, by giving him homage, and paying him tribute; not that he was to deliver all his substance, and especially his wives and children, into his hands.

1 Kings 20:4 In-Context

2 He sent an envoy into the city to set his terms before Ahab king of Israel:
3 "Ben-Hadad lays claim to your silver and gold, and to the pick of your wives and sons."
4 The king of Israel accepted the terms: "As you say, distinguished lord; I and everything I have is yours."
5 But then the envoy returned a second time, saying, "On second thought, I want it all - your silver and gold and all your wives and sons. Hand them over - the whole works.
6 I'll give you twenty-four hours; then my servants will arrive to search your palace and the houses of your officials and loot them; anything that strikes their fancy, they'll take."
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.