1 Kings 20:5

5 The messengers came back again: "This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘I sent you the message: Give me your silver and gold, your wives and your sons.

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 The message said, "This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘Your silver and your gold are mine. Your good-looking wives and children are mine.'"

4 Israel's king answered, "Whatever you say, my master, great king. I am yours and so is everything I have."

5 The messengers came back again: "This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘I sent you the message: Give me your silver and gold, your wives and your sons.

6 However, at this time tomorrow I will send my officers to you, and they will search your palace and the houses of your officers. Everything that you find valuable they will seize and take away.'"

7 Then Israel's king called all the elders of the land and he said, "Please know and understand the evil this man wants to do! He demanded from me my wives and sons, and my silver and gold; and I didn't refuse him."