|
|
|
|
1. Ben-Hadad king of Aram gathered together all his army. There were thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots who went with him and surrounded Samaria and attacked it.
|
1. And Ben H1130 -hadad the king H4428 of Syria H758 gathered all his host together H6908 H853 H3605 H2428 : and there were thirty H7970 and two H8147 kings H4428 with H854 him , and horses H5483 , and chariots H7393 : and he went up H5927 and besieged H6696 H5921 Samaria H8111 , and warred H3898 against it.
|
|
2. The king sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel. This was his message: "Ben-Hadad says,
|
2. And he sent H7971 messengers H4397 to H413 Ahab H256 king H4428 of Israel H3478 into the city H5892 , and said H559 unto him, Thus H3541 saith H559 Ben H1130 -hadad,
|
|
3. 'Your silver and gold belong to me, as well as the best of your wives and children.'"
|
3. Thy silver H3701 and thy gold H2091 is mine ; thy wives H802 also and thy children H1121 , even the goodliest H2896 , are mine.
|
|
4. Ahab king of Israel answered, "My master and king, I agree to what you say. I and everything I have belong to you."
|
4. And the king H4428 of Israel H3478 answered H6030 and said H559 , My lord H113 , O king H4428 , according to thy saying H1697 , I H589 am thine , and all H3605 that H834 I have.
|
|
5. Then the messengers came to Ahab again. They said, "Ben-Hadad says, 'I told you before that you must give me your silver and gold, your wives and your children.
|
5. And the messengers H4397 came again H7725 , and said H559 , Thus H3541 speaketh H559 Ben H1130 -hadad, saying H559 , Although H3588 I have sent H7971 unto H413 thee, saying H559 , Thou shalt deliver H5414 me thy silver H3701 , and thy gold H2091 , and thy wives H802 , and thy children H1121 ;
|
|
6. About this time tomorrow I will send my men, who will search everywhere in your palace and in the homes of your officers. Whatever they want they will take and carry off.'"
|
6. Yet H3588 I will send H7971 H853 my servants H5650 unto H413 thee tomorrow H4279 about H518 this time H6256 , and they shall search H2664 H853 thine house H1004 , and the houses H1004 of thy servants H5650 ; and it shall be H1961 , that whatsoever H3605 is pleasant H4261 in thine eyes H5869 , they shall put H7760 it in their hand H3027 , and take it away H3947 .
|
|
7. Then Ahab called a meeting of all the older leaders of his country. He said, "Ben-Hadad is looking for trouble. First he said I had to give him my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold, and I have not refused him."
|
7. Then the king H4428 of Israel H3478 called H7121 all H3605 the elders H2205 of the land H776 , and said H559 , Mark H3045 , I pray you H4994 , and see H7200 how H3588 this H2088 man seeketh H1245 mischief H7451 : for H3588 he sent H7971 unto H413 me for my wives H802 , and for my children H1121 , and for my silver H3701 , and for my gold H2091 ; and I denied H4513 H4480 him not H3808 .
|
|
8. The older leaders and all the people said, "Don't listen to him or agree to this."
|
8. And all H3605 the elders H2205 and all H3605 the people H5971 said H559 unto H413 him, Hearken H8085 not H408 unto him , nor H3808 consent H14 .
|
|
9. So Ahab said to Ben-Hadad's messengers, "Tell my master the king: 'I will do what you said at first, but I cannot allow this second command.'" And King Ben-Hadad's men carried the message back to him.
|
9. Wherefore he said H559 unto the messengers H4397 of Ben H1130 -hadad, Tell H559 my lord H113 the king H4428 , All H3605 that H834 thou didst send H7971 for to H413 thy servant H5650 at the first H7223 I will do H6213 : but this H2088 thing H1697 I may H3201 not H3808 do H6213 . And the messengers H4397 departed H1980 , and brought H7725 him word H1697 again.
|
|
10. Then Ben-Hadad sent another message to Ahab: "May the gods punish me terribly if I don't completely destroy Samaria. There won't be enough left for each of my men to get a handful of dust!"
|
10. And Ben H1130 -hadad sent H7971 unto H413 him , and said H559 , The gods H430 do H6213 so H3541 unto me , and more H3254 also H3541 , if H518 the dust H6083 of Samaria H8111 shall suffice H5606 for handfuls H8168 for all H3605 the people H5971 that H834 follow H7272 me.
|
|
11. Ahab answered, "Tell Ben-Hadad, 'The man who puts on his armor should not brag. It's the man who lives to take it off who has the right to brag.'"
|
11. And the king H4428 of Israel H3478 answered H6030 and said H559 , Tell H1696 him , Let not H408 him that girdeth H2296 on his harness boast himself H1984 as he that putteth it off H6605 .
|
|
12. Ben-Hadad was drinking in his tent with the other rulers when the message came from Ahab. Ben-Hadad commanded his men to prepare to attack the city, and they moved into place for battle.
|
12. And it came to pass H1961 , when Ben-hadad heard H8085 H853 this H2088 message H1697 , as he H1931 was drinking H8354 , he H1931 and the kings H4428 in the pavilions H5521 , that he said H559 unto H413 his servants H5650 , Set H7760 yourselves in array . And they set H7760 themselves in array against H5921 the city H5892 .
|
|
13. At the same time a prophet came to Ahab king of Israel. The prophet said, "Ahab, the Lord says to you, 'Do you see that big army? I will hand it over to you today so you will know I am the Lord.'"
|
13. And, behold H2009 , there came H5066 a H259 prophet H5030 unto H413 Ahab H256 king H4428 of Israel H3478 , saying H559 , Thus H3541 saith H559 the LORD H3068 , Hast thou seen H7200 H853 all H3605 this H2088 great H1419 multitude H1995 ? behold H2009 , I will deliver H5414 it into thine hand H3027 this day H3117 ; and thou shalt know H3045 that H3588 I H589 am the LORD H3068 .
|
|
14. Ahab asked, "Who will you use to defeat them?" The prophet answered, "The Lord says, 'The young officers of the district governors will defeat them.'" Then the king asked, "Who will command the main army?" The prophet answered, "You will."
|
14. And Ahab H256 said H559 , By whom H4310 ? And he said H559 , Thus H3541 saith H559 the LORD H3068 , Even by the young men H5288 of the princes H8269 of the provinces H4082 . Then he said H559 , Who H4310 shall order H631 the battle H4421 ? And he answered H559 , Thou H859 .
|
|
15. So Ahab gathered the young officers of the district governors, two hundred thirty-two of them. Then he called together the army of Israel, about seven thousand people in all.
|
15. Then he numbered H6485 H853 the young men H5288 of the princes H8269 of the provinces H4082 , and they were H1961 two hundred H3967 and thirty H7970 two H8147 : and after H310 them he numbered H6485 H853 all H3605 the people H5971 , even all H3605 the children H1121 of Israel H3478 , being seven H7651 thousand H505 .
|
|
16. They marched out at noon, while Ben-Hadad and the thirty-two rulers helping him were getting drunk in their tents.
|
16. And they went out H3318 at noon H6672 . But Ben H1130 -hadad was drinking H8354 himself drunk H7910 in the pavilions H5521 , he H1931 and the kings H4428 , the thirty H7970 and two H8147 kings H4428 that helped H5826 him.
|
|
17. The young officers of the district governors attacked first. Ben-Hadad sent out scouts who told him that soldiers were coming from Samaria.
|
17. And the young men H5288 of the princes H8269 of the provinces H4082 went out H3318 first H7223 ; and Ben H1130 -hadad sent out H7971 , and they told H5046 him, saying H559 , There are men H376 come out H3318 of Samaria H4480 H8111 .
|
|
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."
|
18. And he said H559 , Whether H518 they be come out H3318 for peace H7965 , take H8610 them alive H2416 ; or whether H518 they be come out H3318 for war H4421 , take H8610 them alive H2416 .
|
|
19. The young officers of the district governors led the attack, followed by the army of Israel.
|
19. So these H428 young men H5288 of the princes H8269 of the provinces H4082 came out H3318 of H4480 the city H5892 , and the army H2428 which H834 followed H310 them.
|
|
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.
|
20. And they slew H5221 every one H376 his man H376 : and the Syrians H758 fled H5127 ; and Israel H3478 pursued H7291 them : and Ben H1130 -hadad the king H4428 of Syria H758 escaped H4422 on H5921 a horse H5483 with the horsemen H6571 .
|
|
21. Ahab king of Israel led the army and destroyed the Arameans' horses and chariots. King Ahab thoroughly defeated the Aramean army.
|
21. And the king H4428 of Israel H3478 went out H3318 , and smote H5221 H853 the horses H5483 and chariots H7393 , and slew H5221 the Syrians H758 with a great H1419 slaughter H4347 .
|
|
22. Then the prophet went to Ahab king of Israel and said, "The king of Aram will attack you again next spring. So go home now and strengthen your army and see what you need to do."
|
22. And the prophet H5030 came H5066 to H413 the king H4428 of Israel H3478 , and said H559 unto him, Go H1980 , strengthen thyself H2388 , and mark H3045 , and see H7200 H853 what H834 thou doest H6213 : for H3588 at the return H8666 of the year H8141 the king H4428 of Syria H758 will come up H5927 against H5921 thee.
|
|
23. Meanwhile the officers of Ben-Hadad king of Aram said to him, "The gods of Israel are mountain gods. Since we fought in a mountain area, Israel won. Let's fight them on the flat land, and then we will win.
|
23. And the servants H5650 of the king H4428 of Syria H758 said H559 unto H413 him , Their gods H430 are gods H430 of the hills H2022 ; therefore H5921 H3651 they were stronger H2388 than H4480 we; but H199 let us fight H3898 against H854 them in the plain H4334 , and surely H518 , we shall be stronger H3808 H2388 than H4480 they.
|
|
24. This is what you should do. Don't allow the thirty-two rulers to command the armies, but put other commanders in their places.
|
24. And do H6213 this H2088 thing H1697 , Take the kings away H5493 H4428 , every man H376 out of his place H4480 H4725 , and put H7760 captains H6346 in their rooms H8478 :
|
|
25. Gather an army like the one that was destroyed and as many horses and chariots as before. We will fight the Israelites on flat land, and then we will win." Ben-Hadad agreed with their advice and did what they said.
|
25. And number H859 H4487 thee an army H2428 , like the army H2428 that thou hast lost H5307 H4480 H853 , horse H5483 for horse H5483 , and chariot H7393 for chariot H7393 : and we will fight against H3898 them in the plain H4334 , and surely H518 H3808 we shall be stronger H2388 than H4480 they . And he hearkened H8085 unto their voice H6963 , and did H6213 so H3651 .
|
|
26. The next spring Ben-Hadad gathered the army of Aram and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.
|
26. And it came to pass H1961 at the return H8666 of the year H8141 , that Ben H1130 -hadad numbered H6485 H853 the Syrians H758 , and went up H5927 to Aphek H663 , to fight H4421 against H5973 Israel H3478 .
|
|
27. The Israelites also had prepared for war. They marched out to meet the Arameans and camped opposite them. The Israelites looked like two small flocks of goats, but the Arameans covered the area.
|
27. And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 were numbered H6485 , and were all present H3557 , and went H1980 against H7121 them : and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 pitched H2583 before H5048 them like two H8147 little flocks H2835 of kids H5795 ; but the Syrians H758 filled H4390 H853 the country H776 .
|
|
28. A man of God came to the king of Israel with this message: "The Lord says, 'The people of Aram say that I, the Lord, am a god of the mountains, not a god of the valleys. So I will allow you to defeat this huge army, and then you will know I am the Lord.'"
|
28. And there came H5066 a man H376 of God H430 , and spoke H559 unto H413 the king H4428 of Israel H3478 , and said H559 , Thus H3541 saith H559 the LORD H3068 , Because H3282 H834 the Syrians H758 have said H559 , The LORD H3068 is God H430 of the hills H2022 , but he H1931 is not H3808 God H430 of the valleys H6010 , therefore will I deliver H5414 H853 all H3605 this H2088 great H1419 multitude H1995 into thine hand H3027 , and ye shall know H3045 that H3588 I H589 am the LORD H3068 .
|
|
29. The armies were camped across from each other for seven days. On the seventh day the battle began. The Israelites killed one hundred thousand Aramean soldiers in one day.
|
29. And they pitched H2583 one H428 over against H5227 the other H428 seven H7651 days H3117 . And so it was H1961 , that in the seventh H7637 day H3117 the battle H4421 was joined H7126 : and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 slew H5221 of H853 the Syrians H758 a hundred H3967 thousand H505 footmen H7273 in one H259 day H3117 .
|
|
30. The rest of them ran away to the city of Aphek, where a city wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of them. Ben-Hadad also ran away to the city and hid in a room.
|
30. But the rest H3498 fled H5127 to Aphek H663 , into H413 the city H5892 ; and there a wall H2346 fell H5307 upon H5921 twenty H6242 and seven H7651 thousand H505 of the men H376 that were left H3498 . And Ben H1130 -hadad fled H5127 , and came H935 into H413 the city H5892 , into an inner chamber H2315 H2315 .
|
|
31. His officers said to him, "We have heard that the kings of Israel are trustworthy. Let's dress in rough cloth to show our sadness, and wear ropes on our heads. Then we will go to the king of Israel, and perhaps he will let you live."
|
31. And his servants H5650 said H559 unto H413 him, Behold H2009 now H4994 , we have heard H8085 that H3588 the kings H4428 of the house H1004 of Israel H3478 are merciful H2617 kings H4428 : let us , I pray thee H4994 , put H7760 sackcloth H8242 on our loins H4975 , and ropes H2256 upon our heads H7218 , and go out H3318 to H413 the king H4428 of Israel H3478 : peradventure H194 he will save H2421 H853 thy life H5315 .
|
|
32. So they dressed in rough cloth and wore ropes on their heads and went to the king of Israel. They said, "Your servant Ben-Hadad says, 'Please let me live.'" Ahab answered, "Is he still alive? He is my brother."
|
32. So they girded H2296 sackcloth H8242 on their loins H4975 , and put ropes H2256 on their heads H7218 , and came H935 to H413 the king H4428 of Israel H3478 , and said H559 , Thy servant H5650 Ben H1130 -hadad saith H559 , I pray thee H4994 , let me H5315 live H2421 . And he said H559 , Is he yet H5750 alive H2416 ? he H1931 is my brother H251 .
|
|
33. Ben-Hadad's men had wanted a sign from Ahab. So when Ahab called Ben-Hadad his brother, they quickly said, "Yes! Ben-Hadad is your brother." Ahab said, "Bring him to me." When Ben-Hadad came, Ahab asked him to join him in the chariot.
|
33. Now the men H376 did diligently observe H5172 whether any thing would come from H4480 him , and did hastily H4116 catch H2480 it : and they said H559 , Thy brother H251 Ben H1130 -hadad . Then he said H559 , Go H935 ye, bring H3947 him . Then Ben H1130 -hadad came forth H3318 to H413 him ; and he caused him to come up H5927 into H5921 the chariot H4818 .
|
|
34. Ben-Hadad said to him, "Ahab, I will give you back the cities my father took from your father. And you may put shops in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria." Ahab said, "If you agree to this, I will allow you to go free." So the two kings made a peace agreement. Then Ahab let Ben-Hadad go free.
|
34. And Ben-hadad said H559 unto H413 him , The cities H5892 , which H834 my father H1 took H3947 from H4480 H854 thy father H1 , I will restore H7725 ; and thou shalt make H7760 streets H2351 for thee in Damascus H1834 , as H834 my father H1 made H7760 in Samaria H8111 . Then said Ahab , I H589 will send thee away H7971 with this covenant H1285 . So he made H3772 a covenant H1285 with him , and sent him away H7971 .
|
|
35. One prophet from one of the groups of prophets told another, "Hit me!" He said this because the Lord had commanded it, but the other man refused.
|
35. And a certain H259 man H376 of the sons H4480 H1121 of the prophets H5030 said H559 unto H413 his neighbor H7453 in the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 , Smite H5221 me , I pray thee H4994 . And the man H376 refused H3985 to smite H5221 him.
|
|
36. The prophet said, "You did not obey the Lord's command, so a lion will kill you as soon as you leave me." When the man left, a lion found him and killed him.
|
36. Then said H559 he unto him, Because H3282 H834 thou hast not H3808 obeyed H8085 the voice H6963 of the LORD H3068 , behold H2009 , as soon as thou art departed H1980 from H4480 H853 me , a lion H738 shall slay H5221 thee . And as soon as he was departed H1980 from H4480 H681 him , a lion H738 found H4672 him , and slew H5221 him.
|
|
37. The prophet went to another man and said, "Hit me, please!" So the man hit him and hurt him.
|
37. Then he found H4672 another H312 man H376 , and said H559 , Smite H5221 me , I pray thee H4994 . And the man H376 smote H5221 him , so that in smiting H5221 he wounded H6481 him .
|
|
38. The prophet wrapped his face in a cloth so no one could tell who he was. Then he went and waited by the road for the king.
|
38. So the prophet H5030 departed H1980 , and waited H5975 for the king H4428 by H5921 the way H1870 , and disguised himself H2664 with ashes H666 upon H5921 his face H5869 .
|
|
39. As Ahab king of Israel passed by, the prophet called out to him. "I went to fight in the battle," the prophet said. "One of our men brought an enemy soldier to me. Our man said, 'Guard this man. If he runs away, you will have to give your life in his place. Or, you will have to pay a fine of seventy-five pounds of silver.'
|
39. And as H1961 the king H4428 passed by H5674 , he H1931 cried H6817 unto H413 the king H4428 : and he said H559 , Thy servant H5650 went out H3318 into the midst H7130 of the battle H4421 ; and, behold H2009 , a man H376 turned aside H5493 , and brought H935 a man H376 unto H413 me , and said H559 , Keep H8104 H853 this H2088 man H376 : if H518 by any means he be missing H6485 H6485 , then shall thy life H5315 be H1961 for H8478 his life H5315 , or H176 else thou shalt pay H8254 a talent H3603 of silver H3701 .
|
|
40. But I was busy doing other things, so the man ran away." The king of Israel answered, "You have already said what the punishment is. You must do what the man said."
|
40. And as thy servant H5650 was H1961 busy H6213 here H2008 and there H2008 , he H1931 was gone H369 . And the king H4428 of Israel H3478 said H559 unto H413 him, So H3651 shall thy judgment H4941 be ; thyself H859 hast decided H2782 it .
|
|
41. Then the prophet quickly took the cloth from his face. When the king of Israel saw him, he knew he was one of the prophets.
|
41. And he hasted H4116 , and took H5493 H853 the ashes H666 away from H4480 H5921 his face H5869 ; and the king H4428 of Israel H3478 discerned H5234 him that H3588 he H1931 was of the prophets H4480 H5030 .
|
|
42. The prophet said to the king, "This is what the Lord says: 'You freed the man I said should die, so your life will be taken instead of his. The lives of your people will also be taken instead of the lives of his people.'"
|
42. And he said H559 unto H413 him, Thus H3541 saith H559 the LORD H3068 , Because H3282 thou hast let go H7971 out of thy hand H4480 H3027 H853 a man H376 whom I appointed to utter destruction H2764 , therefore thy life H5315 shall go H1961 for H8478 his life H5315 , and thy people H5971 for H8478 his people H5971 .
|
|
43. Then King Ahab went back to his palace in Samaria, angry and upset.
|
43. And the king H4428 of Israel H3478 went H1980 to H5921 his house H1004 heavy H5620 and displeased H2198 , and came H935 to Samaria H8111 .
|