1 Kings 20:8

8 The elders, backed by the people, said, "Don't cave in to him. Don't give an inch."

1 Kings 20:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:8

And all the elders and all the people said unto him
They were unanimous in their advice:

hearken not [unto him], nor consent;
promising, no doubt, that they would stand by him.

1 Kings 20:8 In-Context

6 I'll give you twenty-four hours; then my servants will arrive to search your palace and the houses of your officials and loot them; anything that strikes their fancy, they'll take."

7 The king of Israel called a meeting of all his tribal elders. He said, "Look at this - outrageous! He's just looking for trouble. He means to clean me out, demanding all my women and children. And after I already agreed to pay him off handsomely!"

8 The elders, backed by the people, said, "Don't cave in to him. Don't give an inch."

9 So he sent an envoy to Ben-Hadad, "Tell my distinguished lord, 'I agreed to the terms you delivered the first time, but this I can't do - this I won't do!'" The envoy went back and delivered the answer.

10 Ben-Hadad shot back his response: "May the gods do their worst to me, and then worse again, if there'll be anything left of Samaria but rubble."