1 Kings 20:18

18 He said, "Whether they have come out for peace or for war, take them alive."

1 Kings 20:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:18

And he said, whether they be come out for peace
To propose terms of peace:

take them alive;
make them prisoners, which was contrary to the laws of nations:

or whether they be come out for war, take them alive;
he made no doubt of their being easily taken; but he would not have them be put to death, that he might examine them, and know the state of things in Samaria, and what Ahab intended to do, that he might take his measures accordingly.

1 Kings 20:18 In-Context

16 They set out at noon. Ben-Hadad was drinking himself senseless in the field-barracks, he and the kings, the thirty-two kings who were his allies.

17 The district governors' men went out first. Ben-Hadad sent for information, and they reported, "Men have come out from Shomron."

18 He said, "Whether they have come out for peace or for war, take them alive."

19 So the district governors' men left the city, followed by the army;

20 and each one killed his man. Aram fled, and Isra'el pursued them. Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with some of the cavalry.