1 Kings 20:18

18 So he said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; and if they have come out 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 So they went out at noon. Meanwhile Ben-Hadad and the thirty-two kings helping him were getting drunk at the command post.

17 The young leaders of the provinces went out first. And Ben-Hadad sent out a patrol, and they told him, saying, "Men are coming out of Samaria!"

18 So he said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; and if they have come out for war, take them alive."

19 Then these young leaders of the provinces went out of the city with the army which followed them.

20 And each one killed his man; so the Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them; and Ben-Hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with the cavalry.