1 Kings 20:7-12

English Standard Version

⁷ Then the king of Israel called all the ^(A)elders of the land and said, ^(B)“Mark, now, and see how this man is seeking trouble, for he sent to me for my wives and my children, and for my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him.” ⁸ And all the elders and all the people said to him, “Do not listen or consent.” ⁹ So he said to the messengers of Ben-hadad, “Tell my lord the king, ‘All that you first demanded of your servant I will do, but this thing I cannot do.’” And the messengers departed and brought him word again. ¹⁰ Ben-hadad sent to him and said, ^(C)“The gods do so to me and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people ^(D)who follow me.” ¹¹ And the king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.’” ¹² When Ben-hadad heard this message as ^(E)he was drinking with the kings in the booths, he said to his men, “Take your positions.” And they took their positions against the city.