1. King Ben-hadad of Aram brought together all his army along with thirty-two kings plus horses and chariots. He went up, surrounded Samaria, and made war against it.
2. He sent messengers to Ahab, Israel’s king, inside Samaria.
3. The message said, "This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘Your silver and your gold are mine. Your good-looking wives and children are mine.’"
4. Israel’s king answered, "Whatever you say, my master, great king. I am yours and so is everything I have."
5. The messengers came back again: "This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘I sent you the message: Give me your silver and gold, your wives and your sons.
6. However, at this time tomorrow I will send my officers to you, and they will search your palace and the houses of your officers. Everything that you find valuable they will seize and take away.’"
7. Then Israel’s king called all the elders of the land and he said, "Please know and understand the evil this man wants to do! He demanded from me my wives and sons, and my silver and gold; and I didn’t refuse him."
8. All of the elders and the people said to him, "Don’t obey and don’t give in!"
9. So the king said to Ben-hadad’s messengers, "Say to my master the king: ‘Everything that you first ordered your servant, I will do. But I can’t comply with this new command.’"The messengers took this response to Ben-hadad,
10. who sent back this reply: "May the gods do whatever they want to me if there is even a handful of dust left in Samaria for the armies under me!"
11. Then Israel’s king replied, "The one who prepares for battle shouldn’t brag like one returning from battle."
12. When Ben-hadad heard this message, he and the other kings were drinking in their tents. Ben-hadad said to his officers, "Take your positions!" So they took up their positions against the city.