And Ben-hadad said unto him, The cities, which my father took from your father, I will restore; and you shall make streets for yourself in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will send you away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.
All Commentaries on 1 Kings 20:34 Go To 1 Kings 20
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Thy father. Benadad did not know the changes which had taken place in the royal family of Israel. He speaks of the cities which his predecessor had wrested from Baasa, chap. xv. 20.
Streets, for merchants, of whom he would receive tribute: or military stations, as David had done, (2 Kings viii. 6.) to prevent any inroads. Benadad does not appear to have complied with these conditions, as the king of Israel had to take Ramath by force, chap. xxii. 2.
And having. These words seem to be the conclusion of Benadad's proposition: but, according to the Hebrew, they contain Achab's reply. (Calmet)
Protestants, "Then said Achab: I will send thee away with this covenant. "(Haydock)
How generous does the conduct of Achab appear to the world! Yet it displeased God. (Salien)
He severely punished this foolish pity towards a dangerous foe. (Worthington)
