1 Kings 20:18 He said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive."

◄ 1 Kings 20:18 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
He said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive."

English Standard Version
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
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
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
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
"Take them alive, whether they've come in peace or not," he ordered.

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.

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.'

Cross References

1 Kings 20:17
And 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.

1 Kings 20:19
So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them.

2 Kings 14:8
Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's 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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

1Ki 20:13-20. The Syrians Are Slain.

13-21. behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab—Though the king and people of Israel had highly offended Him, God had not utterly cast them off. He still cherished designs of mercy towards them, and here, though unasked, gave them a signal proof of His interest in them, by a prophet's animating announcement that the Lord would that day deliver the mighty hosts of the enemy into his hand by means of a small, feeble, inadequate band. Conformably to the prophet's instructions, two hundred thirty-two young men went boldly out towards the camp of the enemy, while seven thousand more, apparently volunteers, followed at some little distance, or posted themselves at the gate, to be ready to reinforce those in front if occasion required it. Ben-hadad and his vassals and princes were already, at that early hour—scarcely midday—deep in their cups; and though informed of this advancing company, yet confiding in his numbers, or it may be, excited with wine, he ordered with indifference the proud intruders to be taken alive, whether they came with peaceful or hostile intentions. It was more easily said than done; the young men smote right and left, making terrible havoc among their intended captors; and their attack, together with the sight of the seven thousand, who soon rushed forward to mingle in the fray, created a panic in the Syrian army, who immediately took up flight. Ben-hadad himself escaped the pursuit of the victors on a fleet horse, surrounded by a squadron of horse guards. This glorious victory, won so easily, and with such a paltry force opposed to overwhelming numbers, was granted that Ahab and his people might know (1Ki 20:13) that God is the Lord. But we do not read of this acknowledgment being made, or of any sacrifices being offered in token of their national gratitude.