1Kings:20:1-12
nsb@1Kings:20:1 @ King Benhadad of Syria mustered his entire army, accompanied by thirty-two other kings with their horses and chariots, he laid siege on Samaria, and launched attacks against it.
nsb@1Kings:20:2 @ He sent messengers into the city to King Ahab of Israel to say: »King Benhadad demands that
nsb@1Kings:20:3 @ you surrender to him your silver and gold, your women and the strongest of your children.«
nsb@1Kings:20:4 @ Tell my lord, King Benhadad, that I agree; he can have everything I own, Ahab answered.
nsb@1Kings:20:5 @ Later the messengers came back to Ahab with another demand from Benhadad: »I sent you word that you were to hand over to me your silver and gold, your women and your children.«
nsb@1Kings:20:6 @ Now I will send my officers to search your palace and the homes of your officials. They will take everything they consider valuable. They will be there about this time tomorrow.
nsb@1Kings:20:7 @ Then the king of Israel sent for all the responsible men of the land, and said: »Now will you take note and see the evil purpose of this man. He sent for my wives and my children, my silver and my gold, and I did not keep them back.«
nsb@1Kings:20:8 @ All the responsible men and the people said to him: »Do not pay attention to him or do what he says.«
nsb@1Kings:20:9 @ So he said to the representatives of Benhadad: »Say to my lord the king: All the orders you sent the first time I will do. But I will not do this thing.« The representatives went back with this answer.
nsb@1Kings:20:10 @ Benhadad sent Ahab the following message: »May the gods strike me dead if there will be enough dust left from Samaria to give a handful to each soldier who follows me.«
nsb@1Kings:20:11 @ The king of Israel responded: »It is said, let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.«
nsb@1Kings:20:12 @ Benhadad heard this when he and his allies were drinking in their tents. He told his officers to get ready. So they got prepared to attack the city.
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