Ahab agreed to Ben-hadad's demand and then refused to follow through?

[tonychanyt]

Ahab agreed to Ben-hadad's demand and then refused to follow through?

1 Kings 20:

1 Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together. Thirty-two kings were with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and closed in on Samaria and fought against it.

Ben-hadad's army was closing in on Ahab.

2 And he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, “Thus says Ben-hadad: 3‘Your silver and your gold are mine; your best wives and children also are mine.’”

Facing this encroaching and menacing army, Ahab was not in the mood to argue Ben-hadad's verbal declaration.

4 And the king of Israel answered, “As you say, my lord, O king, I am yours, and all that I have.”

According to ancient Near Eastern diplomacy, Ahab replied with submissive words and even offered himself to Ben-hadad. These were verbal descriptions with no action attached to them. He was just mouthing them with no active meanings. He had no genuine intent to follow through. He was just buying time and waiting for the next move from the Syrian king.

5 The messengers came again and said, “Thus says Ben-hadad: ‘I sent to you, saying, “Deliver to me your silver and your gold, your wives and your children.”

Ben-hadad clarified his demand with an action.

6 Nevertheless I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants and lay hands on whatever pleases you and take it away.’”

More action words.

7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, “Mark, now, and see how this man is seeking trouble, for he sent to me for my wives and my children, and for my silver and my gold, and I did not refuse him.”

Ahab wasn't dumb. He understood Ben-hadad's first demand. The question was: Who would decide how much silver and gold? Ahab didn't want to send any while Ben-hadad wanted all.

8 And all the elders and all the people said to him, “Do not listen or consent.” 9 So he said to the messengers of Ben-hadad, “Tell my lord the king, ‘All that you first demanded of your servant I will do, but this thing I cannot do.’”

Ahab insisted on the first verbal demand with no action attached.

And the messengers departed and brought him word again. 10 Ben-hadad sent to him and said, “The gods do so to me and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people who follow me.”

Ben-hadad replied with a strong threat.

11 And the king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.’”

Now Ahab showed his color. He didn't kowtow this time. He defiantly accused Ben-hadad of being boastful too soon. It was a calculated shift in his approach to Ben-hadad.

12 When Ben-hadad heard this message as he was drinking with the kings in the booths, he said to his men, “Take your positions.” And they took their positions against the city.

The verbal bickering/negotiation was done. War would be next.

Did Ahab agree to give Ben-Hadad his gold in 1K 20:4?

Yes, but only verbally/superficially and only on Ahab's terms.

Did Ahab agree to give Ben-Hadad his gold per 1K 20:5?

No.

Did Ahab agree to Ben-hadad's demand and then refuse to follow through?

Ben-hadad probably thought so. Ahab would disagree with him. Ahab out-maneuvered Ben-hadad verbally. In the end, war broke out and God helped Ahab to defeat Ben-hadad. But that's another story/OP.