1 Kings 20:31 Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, "Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life."

◄ 1 Kings 20:31 ►

New International Version
His officials said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful. Let us go to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.”

New Living Translation
Ben-hadad’s officers said to him, “Sir, we have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful. So let’s humble ourselves by wearing burlap around our waists and putting ropes on our heads, and surrender to the king of Israel. Then perhaps he will let you live.”

English Standard Version
And his servants said to him, “Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Let us put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads and go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then his servants said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please, let us put sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare your life.”

New American Standard Bible
But his servants said to him, “Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let’s put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will let you live.”

NASB 1995
His servants said to him, “Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings, please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will save your life.”

NASB 1977
And his servants said to him, “Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings, please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will save your life.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then his servants said to him, “Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are kings of lovingkindness, please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will preserve your life.”

Amplified Bible
But his servants said to him, “We have heard that the kings of the house (royal line) of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth around our loins and ropes on our necks [as symbols of submission], and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare your life.”

Christian Standard Bible
His servants said to him, “Consider this: we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. So let’s put sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads, and let’s go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
His servants said to him, “Consider this: we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. So let’s put sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads, and let’s go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life.”

American Standard Version
And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, we 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.

Contemporary English Version
His officials said, "Your Majesty, we've heard that Israel's kings keep their agreements. We will wrap sackcloth around our waists, put ropes around our heads, and ask Ahab to let you live."

English Revised Version
And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, we 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
His officers told him, "We have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful. Allow us to dress in sackcloth, put ropes around our necks, and go to the king of Israel. Maybe he'll let you live."

Good News Translation
His officials went to him and said, "We have heard that the Israelite kings are merciful. Give us permission to go to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our necks, and maybe he will spare your life."

International Standard Version
"Look, now," his advisors suggested, "we've heard that the Israeli kings are merciful. So let's clothe ourselves with sackcloth, tie our hair back with ropes, and go out to the king of Israel. Maybe he'll spare your life."

Majority Standard Bible
Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.”

NET Bible
His advisers said to him, "Look, we have heard that the kings of the Israelite dynasty are kind. Allow us to put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads and surrender to the king of Israel. Maybe he will spare our lives."

New Heart English Bible
His servants said to him, "See now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth on our bodies, and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel. Maybe he will save your life."

Webster's Bible Translation
And his servants said to 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: it may be he will save thy life.

World English Bible
His servants said to him, “See now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth on our bodies and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel. Maybe he will save your life.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And his servants say to him, “Now behold, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel—that they are kind kings; please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes on our heads, and we go out to the king of Israel; it may be he keeps you alive.”

Young's Literal Translation
And his servants say unto him, 'Lo, we pray thee, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel -- that they are kind kings; let us put, we pray thee, sackcloth on our loins, and ropes on our heads, and we go out unto the king of Israel; it may be he doth keep thee alive.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And his servants will say to him, Behold now, we heard that the kings of the house of Israel that they are kings of mercy; we will now put sackcloth upon our loins and ropes upon our heads, and we will go forth to the king of Israel; perhaps he will save alive thy soul.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And his servants said to him: Behold, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful: so let us put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: perhaps he will save our lives.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And his servants said to him: “Behold, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel show clemency. And so, let us put sackcloth around our waists, and ropes on our heads, and let us go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will save our lives.”

New American Bible
His servants said to him: “We have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Allow us, therefore, to garb ourselves in sackcloth, with cords around our heads, and go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life.”

New Revised Standard Version
His servants said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings; let us put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare your life.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And his servants came near and said to him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful kings; let us put sackcloth upon our heads and gird ropes on our loins and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare our lives.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And his Servants approached and they were saying to him: “Behold, we hear that Kings of Israel are good Kings; let us bind sackcloth on our heads and ropes on our loins and we will go forth to the King of Israel; perhaps he will save our lives.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And his servants said unto him: 'Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings; let us, we 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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to his servants, I know that the kings of Israel are merciful kings: let us now put sackcloth upon our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and let us go forth to the king of Israel, if by any means he will save our souls alive.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Ahab Spares Ben-hadad
31Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.” 32So with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.’ ” And the king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Kings 7:4
If we say, ‘Let us go into the city,’ we will die there from the famine in the city; but if we sit here, we will also die. So come now, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.”

2 Kings 10:4-5
But they were terrified and reasoned, “If two kings could not stand against him, how can we?” / So the palace administrator, the overseer of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent a message to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you say. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever is good in your sight.”

Joshua 9:8-11
“We are your servants,” they said to Joshua. Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you and where have you come from?” / “Your servants have come from a very distant land,” they replied, “because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard the reports about Him: all that He did in Egypt, / and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. ...

1 Samuel 11:1-2
Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” / But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.”

1 Samuel 27:1
David, however, said to himself, “One of these days now I will be swept away by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop searching for me all over Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”

2 Samuel 10:19
When all the kings who were subject to Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.

2 Chronicles 32:11-12
Is not Hezekiah misleading you to give you over to death by famine and thirst when he says, ‘The LORD our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria?’ / Did not Hezekiah himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn sacrifices’?

Isaiah 36:11-12
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.” / But the Rabshakeh replied, “Has my master sent me to speak these words only to you and your master, and not to the men sitting on the wall, who are destined with you to eat their own dung and drink their own urine?”

Jeremiah 38:17-18
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, this city will not be burned down, and you and your household will survive. / But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans. They will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.’”

Ezekiel 17:15
But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’

Matthew 5:25
Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Luke 14:31-32
Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.

Luke 16:8
The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Treasury of Scripture

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

the men

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.

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.

and he caused

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.

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.

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1 Kings 20

1. Ben-Hadad, not content with Ahab's homage, besieges Samaria
13. By the direction of a prophet, the Syrians are slain
22. As the prophet forewarned Ahab, the Syrians come against him in Aphek
28. By the word of the prophet, and God's judgment, the Syrians are smitten again
31. The Syrians submit; Ahab sends Ben-Hadad away with a covenant
35. The prophet, under the parable of a prisoner,
39. making Ahab judge himself, denounces God's judgment against him

Berean Study Bible

Then his servants said to him
This phrase introduces the counsel given by the servants of Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram. The Hebrew word for "servants" is "עֲבָדָיו" (avadav), which can also mean "slaves" or "attendants." This indicates a position of subservience but also of trusted advisors. In the ancient Near Eastern context, servants often played crucial roles in advising kings, reflecting the importance of wise counsel in leadership.

Consider now
The phrase "consider now" is a call to reflection and action. The Hebrew word "הִנֵּה" (hinneh) is often used to draw attention to something important. It suggests urgency and the need for immediate contemplation, highlighting the dire situation faced by Ben-Hadad after his defeat.

we have heard
This phrase underscores the reputation of the Israelite kings. The Hebrew "שָׁמַעְנוּ" (shamanu) implies not just hearing but understanding and acknowledging. It reflects the widespread knowledge of the character of Israel's kings, suggesting that their merciful nature was well-known even among their enemies.

that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings
The term "merciful" is translated from the Hebrew "חַסְדָּן" (chasdan), which is related to "חֶסֶד" (chesed), meaning loving-kindness or covenantal loyalty. This highlights a key aspect of God's character as reflected in His people. The "house of Israel" refers to the lineage and covenant community of Israel, emphasizing their distinct identity and divine calling to reflect God's mercy.

Let us put sackcloth around our waists
Sackcloth, or "שַׂקִּים" (saqqim), was a coarse material worn as a sign of mourning, repentance, or humility. In the ancient world, wearing sackcloth was a physical demonstration of contrition and a plea for mercy. This act signifies a recognition of wrongdoing and a desire for reconciliation.

and ropes around our heads
The "ropes" or "חֲבָלִים" (chavalim) symbolize submission and surrender. In ancient times, captives or those seeking mercy would use ropes to indicate their willingness to be bound or to show their vulnerability. This gesture is a powerful symbol of humility and a plea for clemency.

and go out to the king of Israel
The act of "going out" to the king signifies an approach with humility and hope. The Hebrew "וְנֵצֵא" (venetze) implies a deliberate action, a step of faith towards seeking mercy. The "king of Israel" here is Ahab, who, despite his flaws, is seen as a representative of God's covenant people.

Perhaps he will spare your life
The word "perhaps" or "אוּלַי" (ulay) indicates uncertainty but also hope. It reflects the belief in the possibility of mercy, even when it is not guaranteed. The phrase "spare your life" underscores the value of life and the hope for redemption. It is a testament to the belief in the transformative power of mercy and forgiveness, central themes in the biblical narrative.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(31) Ropes upon our heads--like "the ropes round the necks" of the burghers of Calais, in the days of Edward III. The envoys offer themselves as naked, helpless criminals, to sue for mercy.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 31. - And his servants [Possibly the very same men who (ver. 23) had counselled this second expedition] said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings [As no doubt they were when compared with contemporary pagan sovereigns]: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins [in token of humiliation and contrition, שַׂק is identical, radically, with σάκκος, saccus, and our sack], and ropes upon our heads [i.e., round our necks. To show how completely they were at Ahab's mercy. Bahr shows that this custom still exists in China but the well-known story of the citizens of Calais, after its siege by Edward III., supplies a closer illustration], and go out [Heb. go] to the king of Israel [It would appear from the language of ver. 33 am if Ahab's army was now besieging the place. He himself may have kept at a safe distance from it]: peradventure he will save thy life. [LXX. our lives, τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.]

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then the servants of [Ben-hadad]
עֲבָדָיו֒ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

said
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to him,
אֵלָיו֮ (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“Look
הִנֵּֽה־ (hin·nêh-)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

now,
נָ֣א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

we have heard
שָׁמַ֔עְנוּ (šā·ma‘·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that
כִּ֗י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the kings
מַלְכֵי֙ (mal·ḵê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of the house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

are merciful.
חֶ֖סֶד (ḥe·seḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

Let us go out
וְנֵצֵא֙ (wə·nê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the king
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

[with]
נָשִׂ֣ימָה (nā·śî·māh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

sackcloth
שַׂקִּ֨ים (śaq·qîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8242: A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag

around our waists
בְּמָתְנֵ֜ינוּ (bə·mā·ṯə·nê·nū)
Preposition-b | Noun - mdc | first person common plural
Strong's 4975: The waist, small of the back, the loins

and ropes
וַחֲבָלִ֣ים (wa·ḥă·ḇā·lîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2256: A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin

around our heads.
בְּרֹאשֵׁ֗נוּ (bə·rō·šê·nū)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 7218: The head

Perhaps
אוּלַ֖י (’ū·lay)
Adverb
Strong's 194: Perhaps

he will spare
יְחַיֶּ֥ה (yə·ḥay·yeh)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

your life.”
נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃ (nap̄·še·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

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OT History: 1 Kings 20:31 His servants said to him See now (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)