31. Ben-hadad’s officers said to him, "Listen, we have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful kings. Allow us to put mourning clothes on our bodies and cords around our heads. We will then go to Israel’s king. Perhaps he will let you live."
32. So they put mourning clothes on their bodies and cords around their heads. They went to Israel’s king and said, "Ben-hadad is your slave. He begs, ‘Please let me live!’"Israel’s king said, "Is he still alive? He is my brother."
33. Taking this as a good sign, Ben-hadad’s men quickly accepted this statement. "Yes, Ben-hadad is your brother!" they said."Go and get him," the king ordered. So Ben-hadad came to him, and the king received him into his chariot.
34. Ben-hadad said to the king, "I will return the towns that my father took from your father. Furthermore, you can set up markets for yourself in Damascus just as my father did in Samaria."The king replied, "On the basis of this covenant, I will let you go." So he made a covenant with Ben-hadad and set him free.
35. At the Lord’s command a certain man who belonged to a prophetic group said to his friend: "Please strike me." But his friend refused to hit him.
36. So he said to his friend, "Because you didn’t obey the Lord’s voice, a lion will attack you as soon as you leave me." And as the friend left the prophet, a lion found him and attacked him.
37. Then the prophet found another man and said, "Please strike me." He hit the prophet, and the attack left a wound.
38. The prophet went and stood before the king by the road. He disguised himself by putting a bandage over his eyes.