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1 Kings 20:33

Ben-hadad

31 And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life.

32 So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Ben-hadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother.

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.

34 And Ben-hadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.

35 And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him.

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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

    And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.

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  • Acts 8:31

    And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

    Read in context

  • Luke 16:8

    And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 25:13

    As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

    Read in context