1 Kings 20:18

18 He said, "Take them alive, whether they have come out to make peace or to fight."

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 attacked at noon, when Benhadad was in his tent getting drunk with the 32 kings who were his allies.

17 The young officers of the district governors went out first. Benhadad had sent men [to watch the city]. They informed him that some men had come out of Samaria.

18 He said, "Take them alive, whether they have come out to make peace or to fight."

19 The young officers of the district governors led an attack, and the troops followed them.

20 Each officer killed his opponent. The Arameans fled, and Israel pursued them. King Benhadad of Aram escaped on a horse with the cavalry.