1 Raja-raja 20:23

20:23 Now the advisers ¹  of the king of Syria said to him: “Their God is a god of the mountains. That’s why they overpowered us. But if we fight them in the plains, we will certainly overpower them.

1 Raja-raja 20:25

20:25 Muster an army like the one you lost, with the same number of horses and chariots. ²  Then we will fight them in the plains; we will certainly overpower them.” He approved their plan and did as they advised. ³ 

1 Raja-raja 20:31

20:31 His advisers ⁴  said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of the Israelite dynasty are kind. ⁵  Allow us to put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads ⁶  and surrender ⁷  to the king of Israel. Maybe he will spare our lives.”

[20:23]  ¹ tn Or “servants.”

[20:25]  ² tn Heb “And you, you muster an army like the one that fell from you, horse like horse and chariot like chariot.”

[20:25]  ³ tn Heb “he listened to their voice and did so.”

[20:31]  ⁴ tn Or “servants.”

[20:31]  ⁵ tn Or “merciful.” 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.

[20:31]  ⁶ 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.

[20:31]  ⁷ tn Heb “go out.”