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31 His advisers[a] said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of the Israelite dynasty are kind.[b] Allow us to put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads[c] and surrender[d] to the king of Israel. Maybe he will spare our lives.”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 20:31 tn Or “servants.”
  2. 1 Kings 20:31 tn Heb “that the kings of the house of Israel, that kings of kindness [are] they.” Or “merciful” rather than “kind.” The word used here often means “devoted” or “loyal.” Perhaps the idea is that the Israelite kings are willing to make treaties with other kings.
  3. 1 Kings 20:31 sn Sackcloth was worn as a sign of sorrow and repentance. The precise significance of the ropes on the head is uncertain, but it probably was a sign of submission. These actions were comparable to raising a white flag on the battlefield or throwing in the towel in a boxing match.
  4. 1 Kings 20:31 tn Heb “go out.”