1 Kings 20:18
◄  1 Kings 20:18  ►
New International Version (©2011)
He said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive."

New Living Translation (©2007)
"Take them alive," Ben-hadad commanded, "whether they have come for peace or for war."

English Standard Version (©2001)
He said, “If they have come out for peace, take them alive. Or if they have come out for war, take them alive.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Then he said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; or if they have come out for war, take them alive."

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
So he said, "If they have marched out in peace, take them alive, and if they have marched out for battle, take them alive."

International Standard Version (©2012)
"Take them alive, whether they've come in peace or not," he ordered.

NET Bible (©2006)
He ordered, "Whether they come in peace or to do battle, take them alive."

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
He said, "Take them alive, whether they have come out to make peace or to fight."

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And he said, If they be come out for peace, take them alive; or if they be come out for war, take them alive.

American King James Version
And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.

American Standard Version
And he said, Whether they are come out for peace, take them alive, or whether they are come out for war, taken them alive.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said: Whether they come for peace, take them alive: or whether they come to fight, take them alive.

Darby Bible Translation
And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.

English Revised Version
And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, Whether they have come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they have come out for war, take them alive.

World English Bible
He said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; or if they have come out for war, take them alive."

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith, 'If for peace they have come out -- catch them alive; and if for battle they have come out -- alive catch them.'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:12-21 The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 18. - And he said, Whether they be come out for peace [i.e., to negociate or to submit], take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive. [We may trace in these words, possibly the influence of wine, but certainly the exasperation which Ahab's last message had occasioned the king. So incensed is he that he will not respect the rights of ambassadors, and he is afraid lest belligerents should be slain before he can arraign them before him. Possibly he meant that they should be tortured or slain before his face.]

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he said, whether they be come out for peace,.... To propose terms of peace:

take them alive; make them prisoners, which was contrary to the laws of nations:

or whether they be come out for war, take them alive; he made no doubt of their being easily taken; but he would not have them be put to death, that he might examine them, and know the state of things in Samaria, and what Ahab intended to do, that he might take his measures accordingly.

1 Kings 20:18 Parallel Commentaries

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Ahab Defeats Ben-Hadad
…17And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Benhadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria. 18And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive. 19So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them. …

1 Kings 20:17 The junior officers under the provincial commanders went out first. Now Ben-Hadad had dispatched scouts, who reported, "Men are advancing from Samaria."
1 Kings 20:19 The junior officers under the provincial commanders marched out of the city with the army behind them
2 Kings 14:8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, with the challenge: "Come, let us face each other in battle."