1 Kings 20:5

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

1 Kings 20:5 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:5

And the messengers came again
From Benhadad:

and said, thus speaketh Benhadad, saying, although I have sent unto
thee, saying:
at the first message:

thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy
children;
into his possession, and not as Ahab understood it, that he should be his vassal, and pay a yearly tribute for his quiet enjoyment of them; yet even this he would not now abide by, growing still more haughty upon the mean submission of Ahab, as by what follows.

1 Kings 20:5 In-Context

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 Ben-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 whatever is desirable in your eyes, they will take in their hand and carry away.' "
7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, "Please observe and see 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."

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit "Ben-hadad, saying"
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