1 Kings 20:33
31 Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.”
32 So with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.’” And the king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”
Now the men were looking for a sign of hope, and they quickly grasped at this word and replied, “Yes, your brother Ben-hadad.” “Go and get him!” said the king. Then Ben-hadad came out, and Ahab had him come up into his chariot.
34 Ben-hadad said to him, “I will restore the cities my father took from your father; you may set up your own marketplaces in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” “By this treaty I release you,” Ahab replied. So he made a treaty with him and sent him away.
35 Meanwhile, by the word of the LORD, one of the sons of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me, please!” But the man refused to strike him.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Now the men were looking for a sign of hope, and they quickly grasped at this word and replied, “Yes, your brother Ben-hadad.” “Go and get him!” said the king. Then Ben-hadad came out, and Ahab had him come up into his chariot.
- KJV
- Now the men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him, and did hastily catch it: and they said, Thy brother Ben-hadad. Then he said, Go ye, bring him. Then Ben-hadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.
- WEB
- Now the men observed diligently and hurried to take this phrase; and they said, “Your brother Ben Hadad.” Then he said, “Go, bring him.” Then Ben Hadad came out to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.
- ASV
- Now the men observed diligently, and hasted to catch whether it were his mind; and they said, Thy brother Ben-hadad. Then he said, Go ye, bring him. Then Ben-hadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.
- DARBY
- And the men took it as a good omen, and hastened to catch what came from him, and they said, Thy brother Ben-Hadad. And he said, Go, bring him. And Ben-Hadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.
- BLB
- And the men were watching closely, and they quickly grasped it from him and said, “Your brother Ben-hadad.” And he said, “Go, bring him.” And Ben-hadad came out to him, and he had him come up into the chariot.
- ÅB
- Mennene tok dette for et godt varsel, og de søkte straks å få et ord fra ham som kunne vise om han mente det så, og de sa: Ja, Benhadad er din bror. Da sa han: Gå og hent ham! Så kom Benhadad ut til ham, og han lot ham stige opp i sin vogn.
- OTB
- Mennene tok det som et godt tegn og svarte raskt, "Ja, Ben-Hadad er din bror." Ahab sa, "Gå og hent ham." Så kom Ben-Hadad ut, og Ahab lot ham komme opp i vognen.
- B1930
- Mennene tok dette for et godt varsel, og de søkte straks å få et ord fra ham som kunde vise om han mente det så, og de sa: Ja, Benhadad er din bror. Da sa han: Gå og hent ham! Så kom Benhadad ut til ham, og han lot ham stige op i sin vogn.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
2 Kings 10:15
When he left there, he found Jehonadab son of Rechab, who was coming to meet him. Jehu greeted him and asked, “Is your heart as true to mine as my heart is to yours?” “It is!” Jehonadab replied. “If it is,” said Jehu, “give me your hand.” So he gave him his hand, and Jehu helped him into his chariot,
Read in contextActs 8:31
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Read in contextLuke 16:8
The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light.
Read in contextProverbs 25:13
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Read in context