1. King Benhadad of Syria gathered all his troops, and supported by 32 other rulers with their horses and chariots, he marched up, laid siege to Samaria, and launched attacks against it.
2. He sent messengers into the city to King Ahab of Israel to say, “King Benhadad demands that
3. you surrender to him your silver and gold, your women and the strongest of your children.”
4. “Tell my lord, King Benhadad, that I agree; he can have me and everything I own,” Ahab answered.
5. Later the messengers came back to Ahab with another demand from Benhadad: “I sent you word that you were to hand over to me your silver and gold, your women and your children.
6. Now, however, I will send my officers to search your palace and the homes of your officials, and to take everything they consider valuable. They will be there about this time tomorrow.”
7. King Ahab called in all the leaders of the country and said, “You see that this man wants to ruin us. He sent me a message demanding my wives and children, my silver and gold, and I agreed.”