And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.
And he said, 'Whether they come out wanting peace or whether they come out wanting war, capture them alive.'
The king is commanding his soldiers to take prisoners alive regardless of whether the enemy approaches for peace talks or battle.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of 1 Kings 20, King Ben-Hadad of Aram is besieging the city of Samaria and demanding tribute from King Ahab of Israel, amid a series of conflicts between the two nations. As his forces prepare for battle, Ben-Hadad arrogantly instructs his officers to capture any Israelites who emerge, whether they come out peacefully or for war, reflecting his overconfidence in his military strength. This event is part of a larger story that illustrates God's intervention in human affairs during ancient Near Eastern warfare.
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