1 Kings 20:18

18 He said, “If they have come out for peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive.”

1 Kings 20:18 in Other Translations

18 And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.

18 He said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive. Or if they have come out for war, take them alive."

18 “Take them alive,” Ben-hadad commanded, “whether they have come for peace or for war.”

18 He said, "If they've come in peace, take them alive as hostages; if they've come to fight, the same - take them alive as hostages."

18 So he said, "If they have marched out in peace, take them alive, and if they have marched out for battle, 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 while Ben-Hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk.

17 The junior officers under the provincial commanders went out first. Now Ben-Hadad had dispatched scouts, who reported, “Men are advancing from Samaria.”

18 He said, “If they have come out for peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive.”

19 The junior officers under the provincial commanders marched out of the city with the army behind them

20 and each one struck down his opponent. At that, the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with some of his horsemen.