Ben-hadad Attacks Samaria

1  וּבֶן־ (Now Ben-) הֲדַ֣ד (hadad) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (king) אֲרָ֗ם (of Aram) קָבַץ֙ (gathered together) אֶת־ (-) כָּל־ (all) חֵיל֔וֹ (his forces), וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים (and thirty) וּשְׁנַ֥יִם (and two) מֶ֛לֶךְ (kings) אִתּ֖וֹ (with him), וְס֣וּס (and horse) וָרָ֑כֶב (and chariot). וַיַּ֗עַל (And he went up) וַיָּ֙צַר֙ (and laid siege) עַל־ (against) שֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן (Samaria) וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם (and made war) בָּֽהּ׃ (against it). 2  וַיִּשְׁלַ֧ח (And he sent) מַלְאָכִ֛ים (messengers) אֶל־ (to) אַחְאָ֥ב (Ahab) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (king) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (of Israel) הָעִֽירָה׃ (to the city), 3  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (and he said) ל֗וֹ (to him), כֹּ֚ה (Thus) אָמַ֣ר (says) בֶּן־ (Ben-) הֲדַ֔ד (hadad): כַּסְפְּךָ֥ (Your silver) וּֽזְהָבְךָ֖ (and your gold) לִֽי־ (mine) ה֑וּא (are), וְנָשֶׁ֧יךָ (and your wives) וּבָנֶ֛יךָ (and children) הַטּוֹבִ֖ים (loveliest) לִי־ (mine) הֵֽם׃ (are).

4  וַיַּ֤עַן (And answered) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (the king) יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (of Israel) וַיֹּ֔אמֶר (and said), כִּדְבָרְךָ֖ (According to your word), אֲדֹנִ֣י (My lord), הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (the king), לְךָ֥ (unto you are) אֲנִ֖י (I) וְכָל־ (and all) אֲשֶׁר־ (that) לִֽי׃ (I have).

5  וַיָּשֻׁ֙בוּ֙ (And returned) הַמַּלְאָכִ֔ים (the messengers) וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (and said), כֹּֽה־ (Thus) אָמַ֥ר (speaks) בֶּן־ (Ben-) הֲדַ֖ד (hadad), לֵאמֹ֑ר (saying): כִּֽי־ (Surely) שָׁלַ֤חְתִּי (I have sent) אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ (to you), לֵאמֹ֔ר (saying): כַּסְפְּךָ֧ (Your silver) וּזְהָבְךָ֛ (and your gold) וְנָשֶׁ֥יךָ (and your wives) וּבָנֶ֖יךָ (and your children) לִ֥י (to me) תִתֵּֽן׃ (you shall deliver). 6  כִּ֣י׀ (But) אִם־ (about) כָּעֵ֣ת (this time) מָחָ֗ר (tomorrow) אֶשְׁלַ֤ח (I will send) אֶת־ (-) עֲבָדַי֙ (my servants) אֵלֶ֔יךָ (to you), וְחִפְּשׂוּ֙ (and they shall search) אֶת־ (-) בֵּ֣יתְךָ֔ (your house) וְאֵ֖ת (and) בָּתֵּ֣י (the houses) עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ (of your servants), וְהָיָה֙ (and it will come to pass) כָּל־ (that whatever) מַחְמַ֣ד (is desirable) עֵינֶ֔יךָ (in your eyes), יָשִׂ֥ימוּ (they will put it) בְיָדָ֖ם (in their hands) וְלָקָֽחוּ׃ (and take it).

7  וַיִּקְרָ֤א (And called) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (the king) יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (of Israel) לְכָל־ (all) זִקְנֵ֣י (the elders) הָאָ֔רֶץ (of the land) וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (and said), דְּעֽוּ־ (Know), נָ֣א (please), וּרְא֔וּ (and see) כִּ֥י (that) רָעָ֖ה (evil) זֶ֣ה (this one) מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ (seeks), כִּֽי־ (for) שָׁלַ֨ח (he sent) אֵלַ֜י (to me) לְנָשַׁ֤י (for my wives) וּלְבָנַי֙ (and my children) וּלְכַסְפִּ֣י (and my silver) וְלִזְהָבִ֔י (and my gold), וְלֹ֥א (and not) מָנַ֖עְתִּי (I withheld) מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ (from him).

8  וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ (And said) אֵלָ֛יו (to him) כָּל־ (all) הַזְּקֵנִ֖ים (the elders) וְכָל־ (and all) הָעָ֑ם (the people), אַל־ (Not) תִּשְׁמַ֖ע (do listen) וְל֥וֹא (and not) תֹאבֶֽה׃ (do consent).

9  וַיֹּ֜אמֶר (And he said) לְמַלְאֲכֵ֣י (to the messengers) בֶן־ (of Ben-) הֲדַ֗ד (hadad), אִמְר֞וּ (Tell) לַֽאדֹנִ֤י (my lord) הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (the king), כֹּל֩ (All) אֲשֶׁר־ (that) שָׁלַ֨חְתָּ (you sent for) אֶל־ (to) עַבְדְּךָ֤ (your servant) בָרִֽאשֹׁנָה֙ (the first time) אֶעֱשֶׂ֔ה (I will do), וְהַדָּבָ֣ר (and thing) הַזֶּ֔ה (this) לֹ֥א (not) אוּכַ֖ל (I can) לַעֲשׂ֑וֹת (do).

וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ (And departed) הַמַּלְאָכִ֔ים (the messengers), וַיְשִׁבֻ֖הוּ (and brought back to him) דָּבָֽר׃ (word).

10  וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (And sent) אֵלָיו֙ (to him) בֶּן־ (Ben-) הֲדַ֔ד (hadad) וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (and said), כֹּֽה־ (Thus) יַעֲשׂ֥וּן (do) לִ֛י (to me) אֱלֹהִ֖ים (the gods) וְכֹ֣ה (and thus) יוֹסִ֑פוּ (more), אִם־ (if) יִשְׂפֹּק֙ (is left) עֲפַ֣ר (the dust) שֹׁמְר֔וֹן (of Samaria) לִשְׁעָלִ֕ים (for handfuls) לְכָל־ (for all) הָעָ֖ם (the people) אֲשֶׁ֥ר (who) בְּרַגְלָֽי׃ (are at my feet).

11  וַיַּ֤עַן (And answered) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (the king) יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (of Israel) וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (and said), דַּבְּר֔וּ (Declare): אַל־ (Not) יִתְהַלֵּ֥ל (let boast) חֹגֵ֖ר (him who is girding) כִּמְפַתֵּֽחַ׃ (as him who is loosing).

12  וַיְהִ֗י (And it came to pass), כִּשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ (at the hearing) אֶת־ (-) הַדָּבָ֣ר (of the word) הַזֶּ֔ה (this), וְה֥וּא (and he) שֹׁתֶ֛ה (was drinking)— ה֥וּא (he) וְהַמְּלָכִ֖ים (and the kings) בַּסֻּכּ֑וֹת (in the booths)— וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (that he said) אֶל־ (to) עֲבָדָיו֙ (his servants), שִׂ֔ימוּ (Set yourselves). וַיָּשִׂ֖ימוּ (And they set themselves) עַל־ (against) הָעִֽיר׃ (the city).

Ahab Defeats Ben-hadad

13  וְהִנֵּ֣ה׀ (And behold), נָבִ֣יא (prophet) אֶחָ֗ד (one) נִגַּשׁ֮ (approached) אֶל־ (unto) אַחְאָ֣ב (Ahab) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (king) יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ (of Israel) וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (and said), כֹּ֚ה (Thus) אָמַ֣ר (says) יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH): הְֽרָאִ֔יתָ (Have you seen) אֵ֛ת (-) כָּל־ (all) הֶהָמ֥וֹן (the multitude) הַגָּד֖וֹל (great) הַזֶּ֑ה (this)? הִנְנִ֨י (Behold), נֹתְנ֤וֹ (I will deliver it) בְיָֽדְךָ֙ (into your hand) הַיּ֔וֹם (today), וְיָדַעְתָּ֖ (and you shall know) כִּֽי־ (that) אֲנִ֥י (I am) יְהוָֽה׃ (YHWH).

14  וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (And said) אַחְאָב֙ (Ahab), בְּמִ֔י (By whom)?

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (And he said), כֹּֽה־ (Thus) אָמַ֣ר (says) יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH): בְּנַעֲרֵ֖י (By the young men) שָׂרֵ֣י (of the commanders) הַמְּדִינ֑וֹת (of the provinces).

וַיֹּ֛אמֶר (And he said), מִֽי־ (Who) יֶאְסֹ֥ר (will direct) הַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה (the battle)?

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (And he answered), אָֽתָּה׃ (You).

15  וַיִּפְקֹ֗ד (And he mustered) אֶֽת־ (-) נַעֲרֵי֙ (by the young men) שָׂרֵ֣י (of the commanders) הַמְּדִינ֔וֹת (of the provinces), וַיִּהְי֕וּ (and there were) מָאתַ֖יִם (two hundred) שְׁנַ֣יִם (two) וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֑ים (and thirty), וְאַחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם (and after them) פָּקַ֧ד (he mustered) אֶת־ (-) כָּל־ (all) הָעָ֛ם (the people), כָּל־ (all) בְּנֵ֥י (the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (of Israel), שִׁבְעַ֥ת (seven) אֲלָפִֽים׃ (thousand).

16  וַיֵּצְא֖וּ (And they went out) בַּֽצָּהֳרָ֑יִם (at noon). וּבֶן־ (While Ben-) הֲדַד֩ (and hadad) שֹׁתֶ֨ה (was getting) שִׁכּ֜וֹר (drunk) בַּסֻּכּ֗וֹת (at the command post)— ה֧וּא (he) וְהַמְּלָכִ֛ים (and the kings), שְׁלֹשִֽׁים־ (thirty) וּשְׁנַ֥יִם (and two) מֶ֖לֶךְ (kings) עֹזֵ֥ר (helping) אֹתֽוֹ׃ (him). 17  וַיֵּצְא֗וּ (And went out) נַעֲרֵ֛י (the young men) שָׂרֵ֥י (of the commanders) הַמְּדִינ֖וֹת (of the provinces) בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָ֑ה (first).

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח (And sent out) בֶּן־ (Ben-) הֲדַ֗ד (hadad), וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ (and they reported) לוֹ֙ (to him), לֵאמֹ֔ר (saying), אֲנָשִׁ֕ים (Men) יָצְא֖וּ (are coming out) מִשֹּׁמְרֽוֹן׃ (of Samaria).

18  וַיֹּ֛אמֶר (And he said), אִם־ (If) לְשָׁל֥וֹם (for peace) יָצָ֖אוּ (they have come out), תִּפְשׂ֣וּם (take them) חַיִּ֑ים (alive). וְאִ֧ם (And if) לְמִלְחָמָ֛ה (for war) יָצָ֖אוּ (they have come out), חַיִּ֥ים (alive) תִּפְשֽׂוּם׃ (take them).

19  וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ (And these) יָצְא֣וּ (went out) מִן־ (of) הָעִ֔יר (the city)— נַעֲרֵ֖י (the young men) שָׂרֵ֣י (of the commanders) הַמְּדִינ֑וֹת (of the provinces)— וְהַחַ֖יִל (and the army) אֲשֶׁ֥ר (that) אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ (was after them). 20  וַיַּכּוּ֙ (And they struck down) אִ֣ישׁ (each man) אִישׁ֔וֹ (his man); וַיָּנֻ֣סוּ (and fled) אֲרָ֔ם (Aram). וַֽיִּרְדְּפֵ֖ם (And pursued them) יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (Israel), וַיִּמָּלֵ֗ט (and escaped) בֶּן־ (Ben-) הֲדַד֙ (hadad) מֶ֣לֶךְ (the king) אֲרָ֔ם (of Aram) עַל־ (on) ס֖וּס (a horse) וּפָרָשִֽׁים׃ (and with horsemen).

21  וַיֵּצֵא֙ (And went out) מֶ֣לֶךְ (the king) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (of Israel) וַיַּ֥ךְ (and attacked) אֶת־ (-) הַסּ֖וּס (the horse) וְאֶת־ (and) הָרָ֑כֶב (the chariot), וְהִכָּ֥ה (and he struck) בַאֲרָ֖ם (among the Aramaeans) מַכָּ֥ה (a slaughter) גְדוֹלָֽה׃ (great).

22  וַיִּגַּ֤שׁ (And came) הַנָּבִיא֙ (the prophet) אֶל־ (to) מֶ֣לֶךְ (the king) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (of Israel) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (and said) לוֹ֙ (to him), לֵ֣ךְ (Go), הִתְחַזַּ֔ק (strengthen yourself) וְדַ֥ע (and take note), וּרְאֵ֖ה (and see) אֵ֣ת (-) אֲשֶֽׁר־ (what) תַּעֲשֶׂ֑ה (you should do). כִּ֚י (For) לִתְשׁוּבַ֣ת (at the return) הַשָּׁנָ֔ה (of the year) מֶ֥לֶךְ (the king) אֲרָ֖ם (of Aram) עֹלֶ֥ה (will come up) עָלֶֽיךָ׃ס (against you).

23  וְעַבְדֵ֨י (And the servants) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (of the king) אֲרָ֜ם (of Aram) אָמְר֣וּ (said) אֵלָ֗יו (to him) אֱלֹהֵ֤י (Gods) הָרִים֙ (of the hills) אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם (their gods are); עַל־ (upon) כֵּ֖ן (thus) חָזְק֣וּ (they were stronger) מִמֶּ֑נּוּ (than we). וְאוּלָ֗ם (But if) נִלָּחֵ֤ם (we fight against) אִתָּם֙ (them) בַּמִּישׁ֔וֹר (in the plain), אִם־ (surely) לֹ֥א (not) נֶחֱזַ֖ק (will we be stronger) מֵהֶֽם׃ (than they)? 24  וְאֶת־ (And) הַדָּבָ֥ר (the thing) הַזֶּ֖ה (this) עֲשֵׂ֑ה (do): הָסֵ֤ר (Dismiss) הַמְּלָכִים֙ (the kings), אִ֣ישׁ (each) מִמְּקֹמ֔וֹ (from his place), וְשִׂ֥ים (and set) פַּח֖וֹת (governors) תַּחְתֵּיהֶֽם׃ (in their places), 25  וְאַתָּ֣ה (and you) תִֽמְנֶה־ (shall muster) לְךָ֣׀ (to you) חַ֡יִל (an army) כַּחַיִל֩ (like the army) הַנֹּפֵ֨ל (that you have lost), מֵאוֹתָ֜ךְ (-) וְס֣וּס (and horse) כַּסּ֣וּס׀ (for horse), וְרֶ֣כֶב (and chariot) כָּרֶ֗כֶב (for chariot). וְנִֽלָּחֲמָ֤ה (And we will fight against) אוֹתָם֙ (them) בַּמִּישׁ֔וֹר (in the plain). אִם־ (Surely) לֹ֥א (not) נֶחֱזַ֖ק (will we be stronger) מֵהֶ֑ם (than they)?

וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע (And he listened) לְקֹלָ֖ם (to their voice) וַיַּ֥עַשׂ (and did) כֵּֽן׃פ (so).

Another War with Ben-hadad

26  וַֽיְהִי֙ (And it was) לִתְשׁוּבַ֣ת (at the return) הַשָּׁנָ֔ה (of the year) וַיִּפְקֹ֥ד (that mustered) בֶּן־ (Ben-) הֲדַ֖ד (hadad) אֶת־ (-) אֲרָ֑ם (the Aramaeans) וַיַּ֣עַל (and went up) אֲפֵ֔קָה (to Aphek) לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה (to fight) עִם־ (against) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (Israel). 27  וּבְנֵ֣י (And the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (of Israel) הָתְפָּקְדוּ֙ (were mustered) וְכָלְכְּל֔וּ (and were sustained), וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ (and they went) לִקְרָאתָ֑ם (against them).

וַיַּחֲנ֨וּ (And encamped) בְנֵֽי־ (the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל (of Israel) נֶגְדָּ֗ם (before them) כִּשְׁנֵי֙ (like two) חֲשִׂפֵ֣י (small flocks) עִזִּ֔ים (of goats), וַאֲרָ֖ם (and the Aramaeans) מִלְא֥וּ (filled) אֶת־ (-) הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (the countryside).

28  וַיִּגַּ֞שׁ (And came) אִ֣ישׁ (a man) הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים (of God) וַיֹּאמֶר֮ (and spoke) אֶל־ (to) מֶ֣לֶךְ (the king) יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ (of Israel) וַיֹּ֜אמֶר (and said), כֹּֽה־ (Thus) אָמַ֣ר (says) יְהוָ֗ה (YHWH): יַ֠עַן (Because) אֲשֶׁ֨ר (that) אָמְר֤וּ (have said) אֲרָם֙ (the Aramaeans that) אֱלֹהֵ֤י (God) הָרִים֙ (of the hills) יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH is) וְלֹֽא־ (not) אֱלֹהֵ֥י (God) עֲמָקִ֖ים (of the valleys) ה֑וּא (He is), וְ֠נָתַתִּי (therefore I will deliver) אֶת־ (-) כָּל־ (all) הֶהָמ֨וֹן (the multitude) הַגָּ֤דוֹל (great) הַזֶּה֙ (this) בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ (into your hand), וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖ם (and you⁺ shall know) כִּֽי־ (that) אֲנִ֥י (I am) יְהוָֽה׃ (YHWH).

29  וַֽיַּחֲנ֧וּ (And they encamped) אֵ֦לֶּה (these) נֹ֥כַח (opposite) אֵ֖לֶּה (these) שִׁבְעַ֣ת (for seven) יָמִ֑ים (days). וַיְהִ֣י׀ (And it came to pass), בַּיּ֣וֹם (on the day) הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י (seventh) וַתִּקְרַב֙ (drew near) הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה (the battle). וַיַּכּ֨וּ (And struck down) בְנֵֽי־ (the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל (of Israel) אֶת־ (-) אֲרָ֛ם (the Arameans)— מֵאָה־ (a hundred) אֶ֥לֶף (thousand) רַגְלִ֖י (foot soldiers) בְּי֥וֹם (in day) אֶחָֽד׃ (one).

30  וַיָּנֻ֨סוּ (And fled) הַנּוֹתָרִ֥ים׀ (the rest) אֲפֵקָה֮ (to Aphek) אֶל־ (into) הָעִיר֒ (the city), וַתִּפֹּל֙ (and fell) הַחוֹמָ֔ה (a wall) עַל־ (on) עֶשְׂרִ֨ים (twenty) וְשִׁבְעָ֥ה (and seven) אֶ֛לֶף (thousand) אִ֖ישׁ (of the men) הַנּוֹתָרִ֑ים (remaining). וּבֶן־ (And Ben-) הֲדַ֣ד (hadad) נָ֔ס (fled) וַיָּבֹ֥א (and went) אֶל־ (into) הָעִ֖יר (the city), חֶ֥דֶר (into a chamber) בְּחָֽדֶר׃ס (of a chamber).

Ahab Spares Ben-hadad

31  וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (And said) אֵלָיו֮ (to him) עֲבָדָיו֒ (his servants), הִנֵּֽה־ (Behold) נָ֣א (now), שָׁמַ֔עְנוּ (we have heard) כִּ֗י (that) מַלְכֵי֙ (the kings) בֵּ֣ית (of the house) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (of Israel) כִּֽי־ (for) מַלְכֵ֥י (kings) חֶ֖סֶד (merciful) הֵ֑ם (are). נָשִׂ֣ימָה (Let us put) נָּא֩ (please) שַׂקִּ֨ים (sackcloth) בְּמָתְנֵ֜ינוּ (around our waists), וַחֲבָלִ֣ים (and ropes) בְּרֹאשֵׁ֗נוּ (around our heads), וְנֵצֵא֙ (and we will go out) אֶל־ (to) מֶ֣לֶךְ (the king) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (of Israel). אוּלַ֖י (Perhaps) יְחַיֶּ֥ה (he will spare) אֶת־ (-) נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃ (your life).

32  וַיַּחְגְּרוּ֩ (And they wore) שַׂקִּ֨ים (sackcloth) בְּמָתְנֵיהֶ֜ם (around their waists) וַחֲבָלִ֣ים (and ropes) בְּרָאשֵׁיהֶ֗ם (around their heads), וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ (and they came) אֶל־ (to) מֶ֣לֶךְ (the king) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (of Israel) וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (and said), עַבְדְּךָ֧ (Your servant) בֶן־ (Ben-) הֲדַ֛ד (hadad) אָמַ֖ר (says), תְּחִֽי־ (Let live), נָ֣א (please), נַפְשִׁ֑י (my soul).

וַיֹּ֛אמֶר (And he said), הַעוֹדֶ֥נּוּ (Still) חַ֖י (is he alive)? אָחִ֥י (My brother) הֽוּא׃ (he is).

33  וְהָאֲנָשִׁים֩ (And the men) יְנַחֲשׁ֨וּ (were watching closely), וַֽיְמַהֲר֜וּ (and they quickly) וַיַּחְלְט֣וּ (and grasped it) הֲמִמֶּ֗נּוּ (from him) וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ (and said), אָחִ֣יךָ (Your brother) בֶן־ (Ben-) הֲדַ֔ד (hadad).

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (And he said), בֹּ֣אוּ (Go), קָחֻ֑הוּ (bring him).

וַיֵּצֵ֤א (And came out) אֵלָיו֙ (to him) בֶּן־ (Ben-) הֲדַ֔ד (hadad), וַֽיַּעֲלֵ֖הוּ (and he had him come up) עַל־ (into) הַמֶּרְכָּבָֽה׃ (the chariot).

34  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And he said) אֵלָ֡יו (to him) הֶעָרִ֣ים (The cities) אֲשֶׁר־ (that) לָֽקַח־ (took) אָבִי֩ (my father) מֵאֵ֨ת (from) אָבִ֜יךָ (your father) אָשִׁ֗יב (I will restore), וְ֠חוּצוֹת (and streets) תָּשִׂ֨ים (you may set up) לְךָ֤ (for yourself) בְדַמֶּ֙שֶׂק֙ (in Damascus) כַּאֲשֶׁר־ (as) שָׂ֤ם (set up) אָבִי֙ (my father) בְּשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן (in Samaria).

וַאֲנִ֖י (And I) בַּבְּרִ֣ית (by the covenant) אֲשַׁלְּחֶ֑ךָּ (will send you away). וַיִּכְרָת־ (And he made) ל֥וֹ (with him) בְרִ֖ית (a covenant) וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵֽהוּ׃ס (and sent him away).

A Prophet Reproves Ahab

35  וְאִ֨ישׁ (And man) אֶחָ֜ד (a) מִבְּנֵ֣י (of the sons) הַנְּבִיאִ֗ים (of the prophets) אָמַ֧ר (said) אֶל־ (to) רֵעֵ֛הוּ (his neighbor) בִּדְבַ֥ר (by the word) יְהוָ֖ה (of YHWH), הַכֵּ֣ינִי (Strike me), נָ֑א (please).

וַיְמָאֵ֥ן (And refused) הָאִ֖ישׁ (the man) לְהַכֹּתֽוֹ׃ (to strike him).

36  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And he said) ל֗וֹ (to him), יַ֚עַן (Because) אֲשֶׁ֤ר (that) לֹֽא־ (not) שָׁמַ֙עְתָּ֙ (you have obeyed) בְּק֣וֹל (the voice) יְהוָ֔ה (of YHWH), הִנְּךָ֤ (surely) הוֹלֵךְ֙ (as soon as you depart) מֵֽאִתִּ֔י (from me), וְהִכְּךָ֖ (and will strike you) הָאַרְיֵ֑ה (a lion).

וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ (And he left) מֵֽאֶצְל֔וֹ (him), וַיִּמְצָאֵ֥הוּ (and found him) הָאַרְיֵ֖ה (a lion) וַיַּכֵּֽהוּ׃ (and struck him).

37  וַיִּמְצָא֙ (And he found) אִ֣ישׁ (a man) אַחֵ֔ר (another) וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (and said) הַכֵּ֣ינִי (Strike me), נָ֑א (please).

וַיַּכֵּ֥הוּ (And struck him) הָאִ֖ישׁ (the man), הַכֵּ֥ה (striking) וּפָצֹֽעַ׃ (and wounding). 38  וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ (And departed) הַנָּבִ֔יא (the prophet) וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד (and waited) לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (for the king) עַל־ (by) הַדָּ֑רֶךְ (the road), וַיִּתְחַפֵּ֥שׂ (and he disguised himself) בָּאֲפֵ֖ר (with the covering) עַל־ (over) עֵינָֽיו׃ (his eyes).

39  וַיְהִ֤י (And it came to pass), הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (as the king) עֹבֵ֔ר (was passing by), וְה֖וּא (that he) צָעַ֣ק (cried out) אֶל־ (to) הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (the king) וַיֹּ֜אמֶר (and said), עַבְדְּךָ֣׀ (Your servant) יָצָ֣א (went out) בְקֶֽרֶב־ (into the midst) הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה (of the battle), וְהִנֵּֽה־ (and there) אִ֨ישׁ (a man) סָ֜ר (came over) וַיָּבֵ֧א (and brought) אֵלַ֣י (to me) אִ֗ישׁ (a man) וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (and he said), שְׁמֹר֙ (Guard) אֶת־ (-) הָאִ֣ישׁ (the man) הַזֶּ֔ה (this). אִם־ (If) הִפָּקֵד֙ (missing) יִפָּקֵ֔ד (he goes missing), וְהָיְתָ֤ה (then will be) נַפְשְׁךָ֙ (your life) תַּ֣חַת (in place) נַפְשׁ֔וֹ (of his life), א֥וֹ (or else) כִכַּר־ (a talent) כֶּ֖סֶף (of silver) תִּשְׁקֽוֹל׃ (you must weigh out). 40  וַיְהִ֣י (And it came to pass that) עַבְדְּךָ֗ (your servant) עֹשֵׂ֥ה (was working) הֵ֛נָּה (here) וָהֵ֖נָּה (and there), וְה֣וּא (and he) אֵינֶ֑נּוּ (was not there).

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (And said) אֵלָ֧יו (to him) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (the king) יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (of Israel), כֵּ֥ן (So) מִשְׁפָּטֶ֖ךָ (is your judgment); אַתָּ֥ה (you) חָרָֽצְתָּ׃ (have determined).

41  וַיְמַהֵ֕ר (And he hurried) וַיָּ֙סַר֙ (and turned aside) אֶת־ (-) הָ֣אֲפֵ֔ר (the covering) מֵעַל (from) עֵינָ֑יו (his eyes), וַיַּכֵּ֤ר (and recognized) אֹתוֹ֙ (him) מֶ֣לֶךְ (the king) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (of Israel) כִּ֥י (that) מֵֽהַנְּבִאִ֖ים (one of the prophets) הֽוּא׃ (he was).

42  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And he said) אֵלָ֗יו (to him), כֹּ֚ה (Thus) אָמַ֣ר (says) יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH), יַ֛עַן (Because) שִׁלַּ֥חְתָּ (you have sent away) אֶת־ (-) אִישׁ־ (a man) חֶרְמִ֖י (I had devoted to destruction), מִיָּ֑ד (out of the hand) וְהָיְתָ֤ה (therefore shall go) נַפְשְׁךָ֙ (your life) תַּ֣חַת (for) נַפְשׁ֔וֹ (his life), וְעַמְּךָ֖ (and your people) תַּ֥חַת (for) עַמּֽוֹ׃ (his people).

43  וַיֵּ֧לֶךְ (And went) מֶֽלֶךְ־ (the king) יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (of Israel) עַל־ (to) בֵּית֖וֹ (his house), סַ֣ר (sullen) וְזָעֵ֑ף (and angry), וַיָּבֹ֖א (and he came) שֹׁמְרֽוֹנָה׃פ (to Samaria).