War with the Syrians

1 Kings 21

The son of Ader besieges Samaria with many allied kings but is twice defeated by Israel after prophets promise the Lord's help, and after Achaab shows mercy to the defeated king, a prophet rebukes him through a parable for letting a man appointed to destruction go free.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

Thomson* NOW when Son Ader** had assembled all his army, he went up and sat down before Samaria. He had with him thirty-two kings and all his cavalry and chariots. And when they had gone up and laid siege to Samaria and fought against it,

BrentonAnd the son of Ader gathered all his forces, and went up and besieged Samaria, he and thirty-two kings with him, and all his horse and chariots: and they went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.

GreekΚαὶ συνήθροισεν υἱὸς Ἄδερ πᾶσαν τὴν δύναμιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀνέβη καὶ περιεκάθισεν ἐπὶ Σαμάρειαν, καὶ τριακονταδύο βασιλεῖς μετʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ πᾶς ἵππος καὶ ἅρμα· καὶ ἀνέβησαν καὶ περιεκάθισαν ἐπὶ Σαμάρειαν, καὶ ἐπολέμησαν ἐπʼ αὐτήν.

KJVAnd Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.

JPSAnd Ben-hadad the king of Aram gathered all his host together; and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.

Thomsonhe sent to Achab king of Israel into the city, and said to him, Thus saith Son Ader;

BrentonAnd he sent into the city to Achaab king of Israel, and said to him, Thus says the son of Ader,

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλε πρὸς Ἀχαὰβ βασιλέα Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὴν πόλιν, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν, τάδε λέγει υἱὸς Ἄδερ,

KJVAnd he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Benhadad,

JPSAnd he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel, into the city,

ThomsonThy silver and thy gold are mine. And thy wives and thy children are mine.

BrentonThy silver and thy gold are mine, and thy wives and thy children are mine.

Greekτὸ ἀργύριόν σου καὶ τὸ χρυσίον σου ἐμόν ἐστι, καὶ αἱ γυναῖκές σου καὶ τὰ τέκνα σου ἐμά ἐστι.

KJVThy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine.

JPSand said unto him: ‘Thus saith Ben-hadad: Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine.’

ThomsonIn reply to which the king of Israel said, As thou my Lord, O king, hast spoken, I am thine and all that I have.

BrentonAnd the king of Israel answered and said, As thou hast said, my lord, O king, I am thine, and all mine also.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπεκρίθη βασιλεὺς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ εἶπε, καθὼς ἐλάλησας κύριέ μου βασιλεῦ, σὸς ἐγώ εἰμι καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐμά.

KJVAnd the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have.

JPSAnd the king of Israel answered and said: ‘It is according to thy saying, my lord, O king: I am thine, and all that I have.’

ThomsonThen the messengers returned and said, Thus saith Son Ader, I have sent to thee saying, Thy silver and thy gold and thy wives and thy children thou shalt give to me.

BrentonAnd the messengers came again, and said, Thus says the son of Ader, I sent to thee, saying, Thou shalt give me thy silver and thy gold, and thy wives and thy children.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστρεψαν οἱ ἄγγελοι, καὶ εἶπαν, τάδε λέγει ὁ υἱὸς Ἄδερ, ἐγὼ ἀπέστειλα πρὸς σὲ, λέγων, τὸ ἀργύριόν σου καὶ τὸ χρυσίον σου καὶ τὰς γυναῖκας καὶ τὰ τέκνα σου δώσεις ἐμοὶ,

KJVAnd the messengers came again, and said, Thus speaketh Benhadad, saying, Although I have sent unto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children;

JPSAnd the messengers came again, and said: ‘Thus speaketh Ben-hadad, saying: I sent indeed unto thee, saying: Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children;

ThomsonTherefore about this time to-morrow I will send my servants to thee, and they shall search thy house, and the houses of thy servants, and take all that are desirable in their eyes, upon which they can lay their hands.

BrentonFor at this time to-morrow I will send my servants to thee, and they shall search thy house, and the houses of thy servants, and it shall be that all the desirable objects of their eyes on which they shall lay their hands, they shall even take them.

Greekὅτι ταύτην τὴν ὥραν αὔριον ἀποστελῶ τοὺς παῖδάς μου πρὸς σὲ, καὶ ἐρευνήσουσι τὸν οἶκόν σου καὶ τοὺς οἴκους τῶν παίδων σου, καὶ ἔσται πάντα τὰ ἐπιθυμήματα τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν ἐφʼ ἃ ἂν ἐπιβάλωσι τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν, καὶ λήψονται.

KJVYet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away.

JPSbut I will send my servants unto thee tomorrow about this time, and they shall search thy house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away.’

ThomsonUpon this the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, Mark, I pray you and see how this man seeketh mischief. For he hath sent to me for my wives and for my children, even for my daughters. My gold and my silver I did not withhold from him.

BrentonAnd the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Take notice now and consider, that this man seeks mischief: for he has sent to me concerning my wives, and concerning my sons, and concerning my daughters: I have not kept back from him my silver and my gold.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἰσραὴλ πάντας τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους τῆς γῆς, καὶ εἶπε, γνῶτε δὴ καὶ ἴδετε ὅτι κακίαν οὗτος ζητεῖ, ὅτι ἀπέσταλκε πρὸς μὲ περὶ τῶν γυναικῶν μου, καὶ περὶ τῶν υἱῶν μου, καὶ περὶ τῶν θυγατέρων μου· τὸ ἀργύριόν μου καὶ τὸ χρυσίον μου οὐκ ἀπεκώλυσα ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ.

KJVThen the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.

JPSThen the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said: ‘Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief; for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.’

ThomsonThen the elders and all the people said to him, Thou must not hearken nor consent.

BrentonAnd the elders and all the people said to him, Hearken not, and consent not.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, μὴ ἀκούσῃς, καὶ μὴ θελήσῃς.

KJVAnd all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent.

JPSAnd all the elders and all the people said unto him: ‘Hearken thou not, neither consent.’

ThomsonThereupon he said to the messengers of Son Ader, Tell my lord, All that thou didst send to thy servant at first I will do; but this I cannot do. So the men went away; and when they carried him back this answer,

BrentonAnd he said to the messengers of the son of Ader, Say to your master, All things that thou hast sent to thy servant about at first I will do; but this thing I shall not be able to do. And the men departed, and carried back the answer to him.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε τοῖς ἀγγέλοις υἱοῦ Ἄδερ, λέγετε τῷ κυρίῳ ὑμῶν, πάντα ὅσα ἀπέσταλκας πρὸς τὸν δοῦλόν σου ἐν πρώτοις ποιήσω, τὸ δὲ ῥῆμα τοῦτο οὐ δυνήσομαι ποιῆσαι· καὶ ἀπῇραν οἱ ἄνδρες, καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν αὐτῷ λόγον.

KJVWherefore he said unto the messengers of Benhadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do: but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought him word again.

JPSWherefore he said unto the messengers of Ben-hadad: ‘Tell my lord the king: All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do; but this thing I may not do.’ And the messengers departed, and brought him back word.

ThomsonSon Ader sent to him saying, God do so to me and more also, if I do not make Samaria a jakes for all the people of my infantry.

BrentonAnd the son of Ader sent to him, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for foxes to all the people, even my infantry.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλε πρὸς αὐτὸν υἱὸς Ἄδερ, λέγων, τάδε ποιήσαι μοι ὁ Θεὸς καὶ τάδε προσθείη, εἰ ἐκποιήσει ὁ χοῦς Σαμαρείας ταῖς ἀλώπεξι παντὶ τῷ λαῷ τοῖς πεζοῖς μου.

KJVAnd Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.

JPSAnd Ben-hadad sent unto him, and said: ‘The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.’

ThomsonIn reply to which the king of Israel said, Enough! let not him who is crooked boast like him who is straight.

BrentonAnd the king of Israel answered and said, Let it be sufficient; let not the humpbacked boast as he that is upright.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἱκανούσθω· μὴ καυχάσθω ὁ κυρτὸς, ὡς ὁ ὀρθός.

KJVAnd the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.

JPSAnd the king of Israel answered and said: ‘Tell him: Let not him that girdeth on his armour boast himself as he that putteth it off.’

ThomsonWhen this answer was delivered him, it happened that he and all the kings with him were drinking in tents, thereupon he said to his servants, Build up a mount. And when they had erected a mount against the city,

BrentonAnd it came to pass when he returned him this answer, he and all the kings with him were drinking in tents: and he said to his servants, Form a trench. And they made a trench against the city.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ τὸν λόγον τοῦτον, πίνων ἦν αὐτὸς καὶ πάντες οἱ βασιλεῖς οἱ μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἐν σκηναῖς· καὶ εἶπε τοῖς παισὶν αὐτοῦ, οἰκοδομήσατε χάρακα· καὶ ἔθεντο χάρακα ἐπὶ τὴν πόλιν.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city.

JPSAnd it came to pass, when [Ben-hadad] heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings, in the booths, that he said unto his servants: ‘Set yourselves in array.’ And they set themselves in array against the city.

Thomsonbehold a certain prophet came to Achab king of Israel and said, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou seen this great multitude? Behold I deliver them up this day into thy hands, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord.

BrentonAnd, behold, a prophet came to Achaab king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou seen this great multitude? behold, I give it this day into thine hands; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἰδοὺ προφήτης εἷς προσῆλθε τῷ Ἀχαὰβ βασιλεῖ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ εἶπε, τάδε λέγει Κύριος, εἰ ἑώρακας τὸν ὄχλον τὸν μέγαν τοῦτον; ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ δίδωμι αὐτὸν σήμερον εἰς χεῖρας σὰς, καὶ γνώσῃ ὅτι ἐγὼ Κύριος.

KJVAnd, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.

JPSAnd, behold, a prophet came near unto Ahab king of Israel, and said: ‘Thus saith the LORD: Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thy hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.’ .

ThomsonAnd Achab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the Lord: By the younger sons of the chiefs of the communities. Then Achab said, Who shall begin the battle? And he said, Thou.

BrentonAnd Achaab said, Whereby? And he said, Thus saith the Lord, By the young men of the heads of the districts. And Achaab said, Who shall begin the battle? and he said, Thou.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἀχαὰβ, ἐν τίνι; καὶ εἶπε, τάδε λέγει Κύριος, ἐν τοῖς παιδαρίοις τῶν ἀρχόντων τῶν χωρῶν· καὶ εἶπεν Ἀχαὰβ, τίς συνάψει τὸν πόλεμον; καὶ εἶπε, σύ.

KJVAnd Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.

JPSAnd Ahab said: ‘By whom?’ And he said: ‘Thus saith the LORD: By the young men of the princes of the provinces.’ Then he said: ‘Who shall begin the battle?’ And he answered: ‘Thou.’

ThomsonUpon this Achab reviewed the younger sons of the chiefs of the communities and they were two hundred and thirty. And after that he reviewed all the people of the army, seven thousand, and marched out at noonday.

BrentonAnd Achaab numbered the young men the heads of the districts, and they were two hundred and thirty: and afterwards he numbered the people, even every man fit for war, seven thousand.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπεσκέψατο Ἀχαὰβ τοὺς ἄρχοντας τὰ παιδάρια τῶν χωρῶν, καὶ ἐγένοντο διακόσια τριάκοντα· καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ἐπεσκέψατο τὸν λαὸν πάντα υἱὸν δυνάμεως, ἑπτὰ χιλιάδας.

KJVThen he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.

JPSThen he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty-two; and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.

ThomsonNow Son Ader was revelling at Sokkoth, he and the kings, the thirty-two kings his auxiliaries.

BrentonAnd he went forth at noon, and the son of Ader was drinking and getting drunk in Socchoth, he and the kings, even thirty and two kings, his allies.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθε μεσημβρίας, καὶ υἱὸς Ἄδερ πίνων μεθύων ἐν Σοκχὼθ αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ βασιλεῖς, τριάκοντα καὶ δύο βασιλεῖς συμβοηθοὶ αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd they went out at noon. But Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

JPSAnd they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the booths, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

ThomsonAnd when the younger sons of the chiefs of the communities first marched out, messengers were sent who told the king of Syria and said, There are men coming out of Samaria.

BrentonAnd the young men the heads of the districts went forth first; and they send and report to the king of Syria, saying, There are men come forth out of Samaria.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθον ἄρχοντες παιδάρια τῶν χωρῶν ἐν πρώτοις· καὶ ἀποστέλλουσι καὶ ἀπαγγέλλουσι τῷ βασιλεῖ Συρίας, λέγοντες, ἄνδρες ἐξεληλύθασιν ἐκ Σαμαρείας.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Ben-hadad sent out, and they told him, saying: ‘There are men come out from Samaria.’

ThomsonWhereupon he said to them, If they come out for peace, take them alive; or if they come out for battle take them alive and let them not get away out of the city.

BrentonAnd he said to them, If they come forth peaceably, take them alive; and if they come forth to war, take them alive:

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, εἰ εἰς εἰρήνην ἐκπορεύονται, συλλαβεῖν αὐτοὺς ζῶντας· καὶ εἰ εἰς πόλεμον, ζῶντας συλλαβεῖν αὐτούς·

KJVAnd he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.

JPSAnd he said: ‘Whether they are come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they are come out for war, take them alive.’

Thomson—

Brentonand let not the young men the heads of the districts go forth of the city. And the force that was behind them

Greekκαὶ μὴ ἐξελθάτωσαν ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ἄρχοντα τὰ παιδάρια τῶν χωρῶν. Καὶ ἡ δύναμις ὀπίσω αὐτῶν

KJVSo these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them.

JPSSo these went out of the city, the young men of the princes of the provinces, and the army which followed them.

ThomsonAnd when they repeated this, everyone slaying his second man, Syria fled and Israel pursued them, And Son Ader king of Syria escaped on the horse of a cavalier.

Brentonsmote each one the man next to him; and each one a second time smote the man next to him: and Syria fled, and Israel pursued them; and the son of Ader, even the king of Syria, escapes on the horse of a horseman.

Greekἐπάταξεν ἕκαστος τὸν παρʼ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐδευτέρωσιν ἕκαστος τὸν παρʼ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἔφυγε Συρία· καὶ κατεδίωξεν αὐτοὺς Ἰσραήλ· καὶ σώζεται υἱὸς Ἄδερ βασιλεὺς Συρίας ἐφʼ ἵππου ἱππέως.

KJVAnd they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Benhadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen.

JPSAnd they slew every one his man; and the Arameans fled, and Israel pursued them; and Ben-hadad the king of Aram escaped on a horse with horsemen.

ThomsonAnd the king of Israel went out and took all the horses and the chariots.

BrentonAnd the king of Israel went forth, and took all the horses and the chariots, and smote the enemy with a great slaughter in Syria.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθεν βασιλεὺς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἔλαβε πάντας τοὺς ἵππους καὶ τὰ ἅρματα, καὶ ἐπάταξε πληγὴν μεγάλην ἐν Συρίᾳ.

KJVAnd the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.

JPSAnd the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Arameans with a great slaughter.

ThomsonAnd when he had smitten Syria with great slaughter the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, Strengthen thyself and consider and see what thou art to do. For at the return of the year Son Ader king of Syria will come up against thee.

BrentonAnd the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said, Strengthen thyself, and observe, and see what thou shalt do; for at the return of the year the son of Ader king of Syria comes up against thee.

GreekΚαὶ προσῆλθεν ὁ προφήτης πρὸς βασιλέα Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ εἶπε, κραταιοῦ καὶ γνῶθι καὶ ἴδε τί ποιήσεις, ὅτι ἐπιστρέφοντος τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ υἱὸς Ἄδερ βασιλεὺς Συρίας ἀναβαίνει ἐπὶ σὲ.

KJVAnd the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.

JPSAnd the prophet came near to the king of Israel, and said unto him: ‘Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest; for at the return of the year the king of Aram will come up against thee.’

ThomsonAs for the servants of the king of Syria they said, The God of Israel is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys; for this cause He prevailed over us. But if we fight them in the plain we shall surely be stronger than they.

BrentonAnd the servants of the king of Syria, even they said, The God of Israel is a God of mountains, and not a God of valleys; therefore has he prevailed against us: but if we should fight against them in the plain, verily we shall prevail against them.

GreekΚαὶ οἱ παῖδες βασιλέως Συρίας· καὶ εἶπον, θεὸς ὀρέων Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ καὶ οὐ θεὸς κοιλάδων, διὰ τοῦτο ἐκραταίωσεν ὑπὲρ ἡμᾶς· ἐὰν δὲ πολεμήσωμεν αὐτοὺς κατʼ εὐθὺ, εἰ μὴν κραταιώσωμεν ὑπὲρ αὐτούς.

KJVAnd the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.

JPSAnd the servants of the king of Aram said unto him: ‘Their God is a God of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.

ThomsonTherefore do this: Send away the kings everyone to his home and substitute commanders in their stead.

BrentonAnd do thou this thing: Send away the kings, each one to his place, and set princes in their stead.

GreekΚαὶ τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο ποίησον· ἀπόστησον τοὺς βασιλεῖς ἕκαστον εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῶν, καὶ θοῦ ἀντʼ αὐτῶν σατράπας,

KJVAnd do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms:

JPSAnd do this thing: take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put governors in their room:

ThomsonAnd let us raise for thee another army equal to that which is fallen, horse for horse and chariot for chariot. And we will fight them in the plain and prevail over them. So he hearkened to their voice and did accordingly.

BrentonAnd we will give thee another army according to the army that was destroyed, and cavalry according to the cavalry, and chariots according to the chariots, and we will fight against them in the plain, and we shall prevail against them. And he hearkened to their voice, and did so.

Greekκαὶ ἀλλάξομέν σοι δύναμιν κατὰ τὴν δύναμιν τὴν πεσοῦσαν, καὶ ἵππον κατὰ τὴν ἵππον, καὶ ἅρματα κατὰ τὰ ἅρματα, καὶ πολεμήσομεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς κατʼ εὐθὺ, καὶ κραταιώσομεν ὑπὲρ αὐτούς· καὶ ἤκουσε τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐποίησεν οὕτως.

KJVAnd number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot: and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.

JPSand number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot; and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.’ And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.

ThomsonAnd at the return of the year Son Ader reviewed the Syrians and came up to Aphek to fight Israel.

BrentonAnd it came to pass at the return of the year, that the son of Ader reviewed Syria, and went up to Apheca to war against Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐπιστρέψαντος τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ, καὶ ἐπεσκέψατο υἱὸς Ἄδερ τὴν Συρίαν, καὶ ἀνέβη εἰς Ἀφεκὰ εἰς πόλεμον ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.

JPSAnd it came to pass at the return of the year, that Ben-hadad mustered the Arameans, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.

ThomsonAnd the Israelites were mustered and went out to meet them. And when Israel had encamped over against them like two little flocks of kids, while Syria filled the country,

BrentonAnd the children of Israel were numbered, and came to meet them: and Israel encamped before them as two little flocks of goats, but Syria filled the land.

GreekΚαὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ ἐπεσκέπησαν, καὶ παρεγένοντο εἰς ἀπαντὴν αὐτῶν· καὶ παρενέβαλεν Ἰσραὴλ ἐξεναντίας αὐτῶν ὡσεὶ δύο ποίμνια αἰγῶν· καὶ Συρία ἔπλησε τὴν γῆν.

KJVAnd the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.

JPSAnd the children of Israel were mustered, and were victualled, and went against them; and the children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Arameans filled the country.

Thomsonthe man of God came and said to the king of Israel, Thus saith the Lord: Because Syria hath said, The Lord God of Israel is a god of the mountains, but He is not a god of the valleys, therefore I will deliver this great army into thy hand, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord.

BrentonAnd there came the man of God, and said to the king of Israel, Thus saith the Lord, Because Syria has said, The Lord God of Israel is a God of the hills, and he is not a God of the valleys, therefore will I give this great army into thy hand, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ προσῆλθεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ εἶπε τῷ βασιλεῖ Ἰσραὴλ, τάδε λέγει Κύριος, ἀνθʼ ὧν εἶπε Συρία, θεὸς ὀρέων Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ καὶ οὐ θεὸς κοιλάδων αὐτὸς, καὶ δώσω τὴν δύναμιν τὴν μεγάλην ταύτην εἰς χεῖρα σὴν, καὶ γνώσῃ ὅτι ἐγὼ Κύριος.

KJVAnd there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

JPSAnd a man of God came near and spoke unto the king of Israel, and said: ‘Thus saith the LORD: Because the Arameans have said: The LORD is a God of the hills, but he is not a God of the valleys; therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thy hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.’

ThomsonSo having encamped against each other seven days, they came to an engagement on the seventh day; and Israel smote of the Syrians a hundred thousand footmen in one day,

BrentonAnd they encamp one over against the other before them seven days. And it came to pass on the seventh day that the battle drew on, and Israel smote Syria, even a hundred thousand footmen in one day.

GreekΚαὶ παρεμβάλλουσιν οὗτοι ἀπέναντι τούτων ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας· καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ, καὶ προσήγαγεν ὁ πόλεμος, καὶ ἐπάταξεν Ἰσραὴλ τὴν Συρίαν ἑκατὸν χιλιάδας πεζῶν μιᾷ ἡμέρᾳ.

KJVAnd they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day.

JPSAnd they encamped one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined; and the children of Israel slew of the Arameans a hundred thousand footmen in one day.

Thomsonand the residue fled to Aphek into the city, and the wall fell upon twenty-seven thousand of the men who were left. And Son Ader fled, and when he got to the house of his abode into the inner chamber,

BrentonAnd the rest fled to Apheca, into the city; and the wall fell upon twenty-seven thousand men that were left: and the son of Ader fled, and entered into an inner chamber, into a closet.

GreekΚαὶ ἔφυγον οἱ κατάλοιποι εἰς Ἀφεκὰ εἰς τὴν πόλιν, καὶ ἔπεσε τὸ τεῖχος ἐπὶ εἴκοσι καὶ ἑπτὰ χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν τῶν καταλοίπων· καὶ υἱὸς Ἄδερ ἔφυγε καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ κοιτῶνος, εἰς τὸ ταμιεῖον.

KJVBut the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.

JPSBut the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and the wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand men that were left. And Ben-hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.

Thomsonhe said to his servants, I know that the kings of Israel are merciful. Let us, I pray you, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare our lives.

BrentonAnd 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.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε τοῖς παισὶν αὐτοῦ, οἶδα ὅτι βασιλεῖς Ἰσραὴλ βασιλεῖς ἐλέους εἰσίν· ἐπιθώμεθα δὴ σάκκους ἐπὶ τὰς ὀσφύας ἡμῶν, καὶ σχοινία ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐξέλθωμεν πρὸς βασιλεα Ἰσραὴλ, εἴπως ζωογονήσει τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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.’

ThomsonSo when they had girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, they said to the king of Israel, Thus saith thy servant Son Ader: Let my life, I pray thee, be spared. To which he replied, Is he still alive? He is my brother.

BrentonSo they girt sackcloth upon their loins, and put ropes upon their heads, and said to the king of Israel, Thy servant the son of Ader says, Let our souls live, I pray thee. And he said, Does he yet live? He is my brother.

GreekΚαὶ περιεζώσαντο σάκκους ἐπὶ τὰς ὀσφύας αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔθεσαν σχοινία ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν, καὶ εἶπον τῷ βασιλεῖ Ισραὴλ, δοῦλός σου υἱὸς Ἄδερ λέγει, ζησάτω δὴ ἡ ψυχὴ ἡμῶν· καὶ εἶπεν, εἰ ἔτι ζῇ, ἀδελφός μου ἐστί.

KJVSo they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Benhadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother.

JPSSo they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said: ‘Thy servant Ben-hadad saith: I pray thee, let me live.’ And he said: ‘Is he yet alive? he is my brother.’

ThomsonWhereupon the men catched up the omen, and using it as a libation, they repeated the word which dropped from his mouth, and said, Thy brother, Son Ader. Then he said, Go in and bring him. So he came out. And when they had helped him up to Achab into the chariot,

BrentonAnd the men divined, and offered drink-offerings; and they caught the word out of his mouth, and said, Thy brother the son of Ader. And he said, Go ye in and fetch him. And the son of Ader went out to him, and they cause him to go up to him into the chariot.

GreekΚαὶ οἱ ἄνδρες οἰωνίσαντο, καὶ ἐσπείσαντο· καὶ ἀνελέξαντο τὸν λόγον ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπον, ἀδελφός σου υἱὸς Ἄδερ· καὶ εἶπεν, εἰσέλθατε καὶ λάβετε αὐτόν· καὶ ἐξῆλθε πρὸς αὐτὸν υἱὸς Ἄδερ, καὶ ἀναβιβάζουσιν αὐτὸν πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὸ ἅρμα.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonhe said to him, The cities which my father took from thy father I will restore to thee. And thou shalt make streets for thyself in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria. On these terms, said Achab, I agree to let thee go.

BrentonAnd he said to him, The cities which my father took from thy father I will restore to thee; and thou shalt make streets for thyself in Damascus, as my father made streets in Samaria; and I will let thee go with a covenant. And he made a covenant with him, and let him go.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν, τὰς πόλεις ἃς ἔλαβεν ὁ πατήρ μου παρὰ τοῦ πατρός σου ἀποδώσω σοι· καὶ ἐξόδους θήσεις σεαυτῷ ἐν Δαμασκῷ, καθὼς ἔθετο ὁ πατήρ μου ἐν Σαμαρείᾳ· καὶ ἐγὼ ἐν διαθήκῃ ἐξαποστελῶ σε. Καὶ διέθετο αὐτῷ διαθήκην, καὶ ἐξαπέστειλεν αὐτόν.

KJVAnd Ben-hadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.

JPSAnd [Ben-hadad] said unto him: ‘The cities which my father took from thy father I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria.’ 'And I, said Ahab, will let thee go with this covenant.’ So he made a covenant with him, and let him go.

ThomsonAnd when he had entered into covenant with him and let him go; a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his neighbour by the word of the Lord, Smite me, I pray thee; but the man would not smite him.

BrentonAnd a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his neighbour by the word of the Lord, Smite me, I pray. And the man would not smite him.

GreekΚαὶ ἄνθρωπος εἷς ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν τῶν προφητῶν εἶπε πρὸς τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ ἐν λόγῳ Κυρίου, πάταξον δή με· καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος πατάξαι αὐτόν.

KJVAnd a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him.

JPSAnd a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his fellow by the word of the LORD: ‘Smite me, I pray thee.’ And the man refused to smite him.

ThomsonWhereupon he said to him, Because thou hast not hearkened to the word of the Lord, behold when thou departest from me a lion will smite thee. Accordingly when he went from him, a lion met him and slew him.

BrentonAnd he said to him, Because thou hast not hearkened to the voice of the Lord, therefore, behold, as thou departest from me, a lion shall smite thee: and he departed from him, and a lion found him, and smote him.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν, ἀνθʼ ὧν οὐκ ἤκουσας τῆς φωνῆς Κυρίου, καὶ ἰδοὺ σὺ ἀποτρέχεις ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ πατάξει σε λέων· καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ εὑρίσκει αὐτὸν λέων, καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτόν.

KJVThen said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.

JPSThen said he unto him: ‘Because thou hast not heartened to the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee.’ And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him; and slew him.

ThomsonThen he met another man and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, and in smiting, wounded him.

BrentonAnd he finds another man, and says, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, and in smiting wounded him.

GreekΚαὶ εὑρίσκει ἄνθρωπον ἄλλον, καὶ εἶπε, πάταξόν με δή· καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτὸν ὁ ἄνθρωπος, πατάξας καὶ συνέτριψε.

KJVThen he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him.

JPSThen he found another man, and said: ‘Smite me, I pray thee.’ And the man smote him, smiting and wounding him.

ThomsonThen the prophet went and waited for the king of Israel by the wayside, with a bandage over his eyes.

BrentonAnd the prophet went and stood before the king of Israel by the way, and bound his eyes with a bandage.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπορεύθη ὁ προφήτης καὶ ἔστη τῷ βασιλεῖ Ἰσραὴλ ἐπὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ, καὶ κατεδήσατο ἐν τελαμῶνι τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ.

KJVSo the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.

JPSSo the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with his headband over his eyes.

ThomsonAnd as the king was passing by, he cried with a loud voice to the king, and said, Thy servant went out to the field of battle, and behold a man brought me a man, and said to me, Keep this man. If by any means he escape, thy life shall answer for his life, or thou shalt pay a talent of silver.

BrentonAnd it came to pass as the king passed by, that he cried aloud to the king, and said, Thy servant went out to war, and, behold, a man brought another man to me, and said to me, Keep this man; and if he should by any means escape, then thy life shall go for his life, or thou shalt pay a talent of silver.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ὡς παρεπορεύετο ὁ βασιλεὺς, καὶ οὗτος ἐβόα πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, καὶ εἶπεν, ὁ δοῦλός σου ἐξῆλθεν ἐπὶ τὴν στρατιὰν τοῦ πολέμου, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ εἰσήγαγε πρὸς μὲ ἄνδρα, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς μὲ, φύλαξον τοῦτον τὸν ἄνδρα· ἐὰν δὲ ἐκπηδῶν ἐκπηδήσῃ, καὶ ἔσται ἡ ψυχή σου ἀντὶ τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ, ἢ τάλαντον ἀργυρίου στήσεις.

KJVAnd as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.

JPSAnd as the king passed by, he cried unto the king; and he said: ‘Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said: Keep this man; if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.

ThomsonNow it happened that, while thy servant was looking about this way and that, he was gone. And the king of Israel said to him, Behold this is treachery. In my opinion thou art liable to death.

BrentonAnd it came to pass, that thy servant looked round this way and that way, and the man was gone. And the king of Israel said to him, Behold, thou hast also destroyed snares set for me.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγενήθη, περιεβλέψατο ὁ δοῦλός σου ὧδε καὶ ὧδε, καὶ οὗτος οὐκ ἦν· καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἰσραὴλ, ἰδοὺ καὶ τὰ ἔνεδρα παρʼ ἐμοὶ ἐφόνευσας·

KJVAnd as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.

JPSAnd as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone.’ And the king of Israel said unto him: ‘So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.’

ThomsonThereupon he hastened and took the bandage from his eyes, and the king of Israel perceived that he was one of the prophets.

BrentonAnd he hasted, and took away the bandage from his eyes; and the king of Israel recognised him, that he was one of the prophets.

GreekΚαὶ ἔσπευσε καὶ ἀφεῖλε τὸν τελαμῶνα ἀπὸ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐπέγνω αὐτὸν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἰσραὴλ, ὅτι ἐκ τῶν προφητῶν οὗτος.

KJVAnd he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets.

JPSAnd he hastened, and took the headband away from his eyes; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets.

ThomsonThen he said to him, Thus saith the Lord: Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a destructive man, therefore thy life shall answer for his life; and thy people for his people.

BrentonAnd he said to him, Thus saith the Lord, Because thou hast suffered to escape out of thine hand a man appointed to destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν, τάδε λέγει Κύριος, διότι ἐξήνεγκας σὺ ἄνδρα ὀλέθριον ἐκ τῆς χειρός σου, καὶ ἔσται ἡ ψυχή σου ἀντὶ τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ λαός σου ἀντὶ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.

JPSAnd he said unto him: ‘Thus saith the LORD: Because thou hast let go out of thy hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.’

ThomsonAnd the king of Israel went away confounded and sorrowful, and came to Samaria, and remained quiet.

BrentonAnd the king of Israel departed confounded and discouraged, and came to Samaria.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπῆλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἰσραὴλ συγκεχυμένος καὶ ἐκλελυμένος, καὶ ἔρχεται εἰς Σαμάρειαν.

KJVAnd the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria.

JPSAnd the king of Israel went to his house sullen and displeased, and came to Samaria.