1 Kings 20:18

18 Ben-Hadad said, "They may be coming to fight, or they may be coming to ask for peace. In either case capture 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 marched out at noon, while Ben-Hadad and the thirty-two rulers helping him were getting drunk in their tents.

17 The young officers of the district governors attacked first. Ben-Hadad sent out scouts who told him that soldiers were coming from Samaria.

18 Ben-Hadad said, "They may be coming to fight, or they may be coming to ask for peace. In either case capture them alive."

19 The young officers of the district governors led the attack, followed by the army of Israel.

20 Each officer of Israel killed the man who came against him. The men from Aram ran away as Israel chased them, but Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on a horse with some of his horsemen.