What Did the Lord Tell You, to Not Do - Part 2

And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it. He then sent messengers to King Ahab of Israel and said to tell him that King Benhadad said, your silver and your gold are mine; your wives also and your children are mine.

And the king of Israel right away acquiesced and said my lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have. Then King Benhadad sent his messengers again to the King of Israel to tell him although I have sent unto thee, saying, thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children; my servants will come to you tomorrow and search your house, and your servants' houses; and it shall be, whatever you find pleasure in, enjoy, or is of value to you, the messengers will take it away from you.

Then King Ahab of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, see how this man, King Benhadad is seeking to destroy me; for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I sent a message back to him that he could have it all. And all the elders and all the people said unto King Ahab don't give King Benhadad anything. Do not consent. Wherefore King Ahab said unto the messengers of Benhadad, tell my lord the king, all that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first, I said I would do, but I cannot do this. And the messengers departed, and brought the message to King Benhadad.

And Benhadad sent a message back to King Ahab of Israel 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. And the king of Israel answered and said, tell King Benhadad, let not him that dress for battle, boast himself as one who has undressed after winning the battle. And it came to pass, when Benhadad heard this message, as he was drinking, kicking back, and having fun with his buddies, that he said unto his servants; get ready to go to war against King Ahab of Israel and his city.

In the meantime, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, with a message from the Lord God Jehovah, saying, 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. Hence, there was a great slaughter and King Benhadad escaped unharmed. Later he returned to King Ahab and asked for forgiveness. King Ahab said okay. I will enter into a league with you. King Benhadad's servants had heard that the kings of the house of Isreal were merciful and forgiving. They reasoned among themselves, let us put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save our life.

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 asked if you would let him live--Benhadad said unto King Ahab, 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.

And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbor as a messenger of the word of the Lord, smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him. Then 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. Then he found another man, and said, smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him. So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face. And 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. And 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.

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

(1 Kings 20)