So 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.
So they put rough cloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, and came to the king of Israel. They said, 'Your servant Ben-hadad asks, please let me live.' And the king said, 'Is he still alive? He is my brother.'
Ben-hadad's servants came to the Israelite king dressed in mourning clothes, begging for their master's life, and the king surprisingly called Ben-hadad his brother.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs after King Ahab of Israel defeated Ben-hadad, king of Syria, in battle. In ancient times, defeated kings often faced execution, so Ben-hadad's servants came wearing sackcloth and ropes (symbols of mourning and submission) to plead for mercy. Ahab's response calling Ben-hadad his 'brother' was diplomatic language showing he would spare his life and treat him as an equal ruler.
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