3
'Your silver and gold belong to me, as well as the best of your wives and children.'"
4
Ahab king of Israel answered, "My master and king, I agree to what you say. I and everything I have belong to you."
5
Then the messengers came to Ahab again. They said, "Ben-Hadad says, 'I told you before that you must give me your silver and gold, your wives and your children.
6
About this time tomorrow I will send my men, who will search everywhere in your palace and in the homes of your officers. Whatever they want they will take and carry off.'"
7
Then Ahab called a meeting of all the older leaders of his country. He said, "Ben-Hadad is looking for trouble. First he said I had to give him my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold, and I have not refused him."
8
The older leaders and all the people said, "Don't listen to him or agree to this."
9
So Ahab said to Ben-Hadad's messengers, "Tell my master the king: 'I will do what you said at first, but I cannot allow this second command.'" And King Ben-Hadad's men carried the message back to him.
10
Then Ben-Hadad sent another message to Ahab: "May the gods punish me terribly if I don't completely destroy Samaria. There won't be enough left for each of my men to get a handful of dust!"
11
Ahab answered, "Tell Ben-Hadad, 'The man who puts on his armor should not brag. It's the man who lives to take it off who has the right to brag.'"
12
Ben-Hadad was drinking in his tent with the other rulers when the message came from Ahab. Ben-Hadad commanded his men to prepare to attack the city, and they moved into place for battle.
13
At the same time a prophet came to Ahab king of Israel. The prophet said, "Ahab, the Lord says to you, 'Do you see that big army? I will hand it over to you today so you will know I am the Lord.'"