1. Ben Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together; and there were thirty-two kings with him, with horses and chariots. He went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.
2. He sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel, into the city, and said to him, “Thus says Ben Hadad,
3. ‘Your silver and your gold is mine. Your wives also and your children, even the best, are mine.’”
4. The king of Israel answered, “It is according to your saying, my lord, O king. I am yours, and all that I have.”
5. The messengers came again, and said, “Ben Hadad says, ‘I sent indeed to you, saying, “You shall deliver me your silver, and your gold, and your wives, and your children;
6. but I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they will search your house, and the houses of your servants; whatever is pleasant in your eyes, they will put it in their hand, and take it away.”’”
7. Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, “Please notice how this man seeks mischief; for he sent to me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I didn’t deny him.”
8. All the elders and all the people said to him, “Don’t listen, and don’t consent.”
9. Therefore he said to the messengers of Ben Hadad, “Tell my lord the king, ‘All that you sent for to your servant at the first I will do; but this thing I cannot do.’” The messengers departed, and brought him back the message.