cause Ahab's army was not like that of Benhadad, he did not
set it in array to fight him, but having shut up every thing that was in
the country in the strongest cities he had, he abode in Samaria himself,
for the walls about it were very strong, and it appeared to be not
easily to be taken in other respects also. So the king of Syria took his
army with him, and came to Samaria, and placed his army round about the
city, and besieged it. He also sent a herald to Ahab, and desired he
would admit the ambassadors he would send him, by whom he would let him
know his pleasure. So, upon the king of Israel's permission for him to
send, those ambassador's came, and by their king's command spake thus:
That Ahab's riches, and his children, and his wives were Benhadad's,
and if he would make an agreement, and give him leave to take as much of
what he had as he pleased, he would withdraw his army, and leave off the
siege. Upon this Ahab bade the ambassadors to go back, and tell their
king, that both he himself and all that he hath are his possessions. And
when these ambassadors had told this to Berthadad, he sent to him again,
and desired, since he confessed that all he had was his, that he would
admit those servants of his which he should send the next day; and he
commanded him to deliver to those whom he should send whatsoever, upon
their searching his palace, and the houses of his friends and kindred,
they should find to be excellent in its kind, but that what did not
please them they should leave to him. At this second embassage of the
king of Syria, Ahab was surprised, and gathered together the multitude
to a congregation, and told them that, for himself, he was ready, for
their safety and peace, to give up his own wives and children to the
enemy, and to yield to him all his own possessions, for that was what
the Syrian king required at his first embassage; but that now he desires
to send his servants to search all their houses, and in them to leave
nothing that is excellent in its kind, seeking an occasion of fighting
against him, "as knowing that I would not spare what is mine own for
your sakes, but taking a handle from the disagreeable terms he offers
concerning you to bring a war upon us; however, I will do what you shall
resolve is fit to be done." But the multitude advised him to hearken to
none of his proposals, but to despise him, and be in readiness to fight
him. Accordingly, when he had given the ambassadors this answer