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[363]
WHEN the affairs of Ahab were thus, at that very time the son of
Hadad, [Benhadad,] who was king of the Syrians and of Damascus, got together
an army out of all his country, and procured thirty-two kings beyond Euphrates
to be his auxiliaries: so he made an expedition against Ahab; but because
Ahab's army was not like that of Benhadad, he did not set it in array to
fight him, but having shut up every thing that was in the country in the
strongest cities he had, he abode in Samaria himself, for the walls about
it were very strong, and it appeared to be not easily to be taken in other
respects also. So the king of Syria took his army with him, and came to
Samaria, and placed his army round about the city, and besieged it. He
also sent a herald to Ahab, and desired he would admit the ambassadors
he would send him, by whom he would let him know his pleasure. So, upon
the king of Israel's permission for him to send, those ambassador's came,
and by their king's command spake thus: That Ahab's riches, and his children,
and his wives were Benhadad's, and if he would make an agreement, and give
him leave to take as much of what he had as he pleased, he would withdraw
his army, and leave off the siege. Upon this Ahab bade the ambassadors
to go back, and tell their king, that both he himself and all that he hath
are his possessions. And when these ambassadors had told this to Berthadad,
he sent to him again, and desired, since he confessed that all he had was
his, that he would admit those servants of his which he should send the
next day; and he commanded him to deliver to those whom he should send
whatsoever, upon their searching his palace, and the houses of his friends
and kindred, they should find to be excellent in its kind, but that what
did not please them they should leave to him. At this second embassage
of the king of Syria, Ahab was surprised, and gathered together the multitude
to a congregation, and told them that, for himself, he was ready, for their
safety and peace, to give up his own wives and children to the enemy, and
to yield to him all his own possessions, for that was what the Syrian king
required at his first embassage; but that now he desires to send his servants
to search all their houses, and in them to leave nothing that is excellent
in its kind, seeking an occasion of fighting against him, "as knowing
that I would not spare what is mine own for your sakes, but taking a handle
from the disagreeable terms he offers concerning you to bring a war upon
us; however, I will do what you shall resolve is fit to be done."
But the multitude advised him to hearken to none of his proposals, but
to despise him, and be in readiness to fight him. Accordingly, when he
had given the ambassadors this answer to be reported, that he still continued
in the mind to comply with what terms he at first desired, for the safety
of the citizens; but as for his second desires, he cannot submit to them,
- he dismissed them.
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