1 Kings 20:31

31 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. Perhaps he will save thy life."

1 Kings 20:31 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:31

And his servants said unto him
Being reduced to the utmost extremity; for if he attempted to go out of the city, he would fall into the hands of the Israelites, and there was no safety in it, the wall of it being fallen down; and it could not be thought he could be concealed long in the chamber where he was, wherefore his servants advised as follows:

behold, now, we have heard that the kings of the Israel are merciful
kings;
not only the best of them as David and Solomon, but even the worst of them, in comparison of Heathen princes, were kind and humane to those that fell into their hands, and became their captives:

let us, I pray thee;
so said one in the name of the rest:

put sack cloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads;
and so coming in such a mean and humble manner, and not with their armour on, they might the rather hope to have admittance; so, the Syracusans sent ambassadors to Athens, in filthy garments, with the hair of their heads and beards long, and all in slovenly habits, to move their pity ^F18;

and go out to the king of Israel:
and be humble supplicants to him:

peradventure he will save thy life;
upon a petition to him from him; to which the king agreed, and sent it by them.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F18 Justin e Trogo, l. 4. c. 4.

1 Kings 20:31 In-Context

29 And they pitched camp one opposite the other seven days. And so it was that in the seventh day the battle was joined, and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians a hundred thousand footmen in one day.

30 But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men who were left. And Benhadad fled and came into the city, into an inner chamber.

31 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. Perhaps he will save thy life."

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 Benhadad saith, `I pray thee, let me live.'" And he said, "Is he yet alive? He is my brother."

33 Now the men diligently observed whether any thing would come from him, and hastily caught it; and they said, "Thy brother Benhadad." Then he said, "Go ye, bring him." Then Benhadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.