Ben-hadad Attacks Samaria

vvv Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he marched up, besieged Samaria, and waged war against it. 2 Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, 3 saying“This is what vvv Ben-hadad says:[fn]‘Your silver and gold are mine, and your best wives and children are mine!’ ”

4 

And the king of Israel replied,“Just as you say, my lord the king: vvv I am yours, along with all that I have.”

5 

The messengers came back and said,“This is what Ben-hadad says‘I have sent to you to demand your silver, your gold, your wives, and your children. 6 But about this time tomorrow I will send my servants to search your palace and the houses of your servants. They will seize and carry away all that is precious to you.’ ”

7 

Then the king of Israel summoned all the elders of the land and said,“Please take note and see that this [man] is looking for trouble, for when he demanded my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold, I did not deny him.”

8 

And the elders and the people all said“Do not listen to him or consent to his terms.”

9 

So [Ahab] answered the messengers vvv of Ben-hadad,“Tell my lord the king,‘All that you demanded of your servant the first time I will do, but this thing I cannot do.’ ”

So the messengers departed and relayed the message to [Ben-hadad]

10 

Then Ben-hadad sent another message to [Ahab]:“May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if [enough] dust remains of Samaria for each of my men [to have] a handful.”

11 

And the king of Israel replied,“Tell him:‘The one putting on [his armor] should not boast like one taking [it off].’ ”

12 

Ben-hadad received this message while he and the kings were drinking in their tents,[fn] and he said to his servants,“Take your positions.” So they stationed themselves against the city.

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