18 He said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive."
18 And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.
18 He said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive. Or if they have come out for war, take them alive."
18 He said, "If they've come in peace, take them alive as hostages; if they've come to fight, the same - take them alive as hostages."
18 So he said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; and if they have come out for war, take them alive."
18 "Take them alive," Ben-hadad commanded, "whether they have come for peace or for war."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 20:18
Commentary on 1 Kings 20:12-21
(Read 1 Kings 20:12-21)
The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.