1
King Benhadad of Syria gathered all his troops, and supported by thirty-two other rulers with their horses and chariots, he marched up, laid siege to Samaria, and launched attacks against it.
2
He sent messengers into the city to King Ahab of Israel to say, "King Benhadad demands that
3
you surrender to him your silver and gold, your women and the strongest of your children."
4
"Tell my lord, King Benhadad, that I agree; he can have me and everything I own," Ahab answered.
5
Later the messengers came back to Ahab with another demand from Benhadad: "I sent you word that you were to hand over to me your silver and gold, your women and your children.
6
Now, however, I will send my officers to search your palace and the homes of your officials, and to take everything they consider valuable. They will be there about this time tomorrow."
7
King Ahab called in all the leaders of the country and said, "You see that this man wants to ruin us. He sent me a message demanding my wives and children, my silver and gold, and I agreed."
8
The leaders and the people answered, "Don't pay any attention to him; don't give in."
9
So Ahab replied to Benhadad's messengers, "Tell my lord the king that I agreed to his first demand, but I cannot agree to the second." The messengers left and then returned with another message