The Syrians threatening and besieging Samaria, 13. God signifieth by a prophet to Achab, that he shall have the victory. 20. Which he obtaineth. 23. Also the second year fighting in the champaign. 31. But saving the king of Syrians' life, and making league with him, 35. one of the children of the prophets being slain, for not striking when he was so commanded, 37. another denounceth revenge to Achab, for not killing the Syrian King.The Syrians threatning and besieging Samaria, 13. God signifieth by a prophet to Achab, that he shal haue the victorie. 20. Which he obtaineth. 23. Also the second yeare fighting in the champaine. 31. But sauing the king of Syrians life, and making league with him, 35. one of the children of the prophetes being slaine, for not stryking when he was so commanded, 37. an other denounceth reuenge to Achab, for not killing the Syrian King.✦
Moreover Benadad the king of Syria, gathered together all his host, and two and thirty kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and going up fought against Samaria, and besieged it.MOREOVER Benadad the king of Syria, gathered together al his host, & two & thirtie kinges with him, & horses, and chariotes: and going vp fought agaynst Samaria, and besieged it.✦Porro Benadad rex Syriæ congregavit omnem exercitum suum, et triginta duos reges secum, et equos, et currus : et ascendens pugnabat contra Samariam, et obsidebat eam.
2And sending messengers to Achab the king of Israel into the city,And sending messengers to Achab the king of Israel into the citie,Mittensque nuntios ad Achab regem Israël in civitatem,
3he said: Thus saith Benadad: Thy silver, and thy gold is mine: and thy wives, and thy principal children be mine.he said: Thus saith Benadad: Thy siluer, and thy gold is mine: and thy wiues, and thy principal children be mine.✦ait : Hæc dicit Benadad : Argentum tuum, et aurum tuum meum est : et uxores tuæ, et filii tui optimi, mei sunt.
4And the king of Israel answered: According to thy word my lord king, I am thine, and all that is mine.And the king of Israel answered: According to thy word my lord king, I am thine, and al that is mine.Responditque rex Israël : Juxta verbum tuum, domine mi rex, tuus sum ego, et omnia mea.
5And the messengers returning, said: Thus saith Benadad, which sent us unto thee: Thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children thou shalt give me.And the messengers returning, said: Thus saith Benadad, which sent vs vnto thee: Thy siluer, and thy gold, and thy wiues, and thy children thou shalt geue me.✦Revertentesque nuntii, dixerunt : Hæc dicit Benadad, qui misit nos ad te : Argentum tuum, et aurum tuum, et uxores tuas, et filios tuos, dabis mihi.
6To morrow therefore this very hour I will send my servants to thee, and they shall search thy house, and the house of thy servants: and all that pleaseth them, they shall put in their hands, and take away.To morow therfore this verie houre I wil send my seruantes to thee, and they shal search thy house, and the house of thy seruantes: and al that pleaseth them, they shal put in their handes, and take away.✦Cras igitur hac eadem hora mittam servos meos ad te, et scrutabuntur domum tuam, et domum servorum tuorum : et omne quod eis placuerit, ponent in manibus suis, et auferent.
7And the king of Israel called all the seniores: the elders, the senior men of the land, and said: Mark, and see that he seeketh to entrap us. for he sent to me for my wives, and children, and for the silver and gold: and I said not nay.And the king of Israel called al the ancientes of the land, and said: Marke, and see that he seeketh to intrappe vs. for he sent to me for my wiues, and children, and for the siluer and gold: and I said not nay.Vocavit autem rex Israël omnes seniores terræ, et ait : Animadvertite, et videte quoniam insidietur nobis : misit enim ad me pro uxoribus meis, et filiis, et pro argento et auro : et non abnui.
8And all the ancients, and all the people said to him: Hear not, neither agree unto him.And al the ancientes, and al the people said to him: Heare not, neither agree vnto him.Dixeruntque omnes majores natu, et universus populus, ad eum : Non audias, neque acquiescas illi.
9He therefore answered the messengers of Benadad: Tell my Lord the king: All things for the which thou didst send to me thy servant in the beginning I will do: but this thing I can not do.He therfore answered the messengers of Benadad: Tel my Lord the king: Al thinges for the which thou didst send to me thy seruant in the beginning I wil doe: but this thing I can not doe.Respondit itaque nuntiis Benadad : Dicite domino meo regi : Omnia propter quæ misisti ad me servum tuum in initio, faciam : hanc autem rem facere non possum.
10And the messengers returning made report unto him, who sent again, and said: These things do the gods to me, and these add they, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for the handfuls of all the people, that followeth me.And the messengers returning made report vnto him, who sent againe, and sayd: These thinges doe the goddes to me, and these adde they, if the dust of Samaria shal suffice for the hanfulles of al the people, that foloweth me.✦Reversique nuntii retulerunt ei. Qui remisit, et ait : Hæc faciant mihi dii, et hæc addant, si suffecerit pulvis Samariæ pugillis omnis populi qui sequitur me.
11And the king of Israel answering, said: Tell him Let not the girded glory as the ungirded.And the king of Israel answering, sayd: Tel him Let not the girded glorie as the vngirded.✦Et respondens rex Israël, ait : Dicite ei : Ne glorietur, accinctus æque ut discinctus.
12And it came to pass, when Benadad had heard this word, himself and the kings drank in umbraculis: tents, booths, and he said to his servants: Beset the city, and they did beset it.And it came to passe, when Benaded had heard this word, himself and the kinges dranke in pauilions, and he sayd to his seruantes: Besette the citie, and they did besette it.Factum est autem cum audisset Benadad verbum istud, bibebat ipse et reges in umbraculis : et ait servis suis : Circumdate civitatem. Et circumdederunt eam.
13And behold a prophet coming to Achab the king of Israel, said to him: Thus saith our Lord: Hast thou in deed seen all this exceeding great multitude? behold, I will deliver them into thy hand this day: that thou mayst know, that I am the Lord.And behold a prophete coming to Achab the king of Israel, said to him: Thus sayth our Lord: Hast thou in dede sene al this exceding great multitude? behold, I wil deliuer them into thy hand this day: that thou mayst know, that I am the Lord.Et ecce propheta unus accedens ad Achab regem Israël, ait ei : Hæc dicit Dominus : Certe vidisti omnem multitudinem hanc nimiam ? ecce ego tradam eam in manu tua hodie, ut scias quia ego sum Dominus.
14And Achab said: By whom? And he said to him: Thus saith our Lord: By the servants of the princes of the provinces. And he said: Who shall begin to fight? And he said: Thou.And Achab said: By whom? And he said to him: Thus saith our Lord: By the seruantes of the princes of the prouinces. And he said: Who shal begin to fight? And he said: Thou.Et ait Achab : Per quem ? Dixitque ei : Hæc dicit Dominus : Per pedissequos principum provinciarum. Et ait : Quis incipiet præliari ? Et ille dixit : Tu.
15He therefore mustered the servants of the princes of the provinces, and he found the number of two hundred thirty two: and he mustered after them the people, all the children of Israel, seven thousand.He therfore mustered the seruantes of the princes of the prouinces, and he found the number of two hundred thirtie two: and he mustered after them the people, al the children of Israel, seuen thousand.Recensuit ergo pueros principum provinciarum, et reperit numerum ducentorum triginta duorum : et recensuit post eos populum, omnes filios Israël, septem millia.
16And they went forth at noon. But Benadad drank all drunken in his tent, and two and thirty kings with him, which were come to aid him.And they went forth at noone. But Benadad dranke al dronken in his tent, and two and thirtie kinges with him, which were come to ayde him.Et egressi sunt meridie. Benadad autem bibebat temulentus in umbraculo suo, et reges triginta duo cum eo, qui ad auxilium ejus venerant.
17The servants therefore of the princes of the provinces issued forth in the forefront. Benadad therefore sent. Who told him, saying: Men are come forth out of Samaria.The seruantes therfore of the princes of the prouinces issued forth in the forefront. Benadad therfore sent. Who told him, saying: Men are come forth out of Samaria.Egressi sunt autem pueri principum provinciarum in prima fronte. Misit itaque Benadad : qui nuntiaverunt ei, dicentes : Viri egressi sunt de Samaria.
18And he said: Whether they come for peace, take them alive: or else to fight, alive take ye them.And he said: Whether they come for peace, take them aliue: or els to fight, aliue take ye them.Et ille ait : Sive pro pace veniunt, apprehendite eos vivos : sive ut prælientur, vivos eos capite.
19The servants therefore of the princes of the provinces issued forth, and the rest of the army followed:The seruantes therfore of the princes of the prouinces issued forth, and the rest of the armie folowed:Egressi sunt ergo pueri principum provinciarum, ac reliquus exercitus sequebatur :
20and every one stroke the man, that came against him: and the Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them. Benadad also the king of Syria fled on horseback with his horsemen.and euerie one stroke the man, that came against him: and the Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them. Benadad also the king of Syria fled on horsebacke with his horsemen.et percussit unusquisque virum qui contra se veniebat : fugeruntque Syri, et persecutus est eos Israël. Fugit quoque Benadad rex Syriæ in equo cum equitibus suis.
21Moreover the king of Israel issuing forth stroke the horses and chariots, and he stroke Syria with a great slaughter.Moreouer the king of Israel issuing forth stroke the horses and chariotes, and he stroke Syria with a great slaughter.Necnon egressus rex Israël percussit equos et currus, et percussit Syriam plaga magna.
22And a prophet coming to the king of Israel, said to him: Go, and take courage, and know, and see what thou doest: for the year following the king of Syria will come up against thee.And a prophet coming to the king of Israel, said to him: Goe, and take courage, and know, and see what thou doest: for the yeare folowing the king of Syria wil come vp against thee. )Accedens autem propheta ad regem Israël, dixit ei : Vade, et confortare, et scito, et vide quid facias : sequenti enim anno rex Syriæ ascendet contra te.
23But the servants of the king of Syria said to him: The gods of the mountains be their gods, therefore have they overcome us: but it is better that we fight against them in the campestribus: open level country, a plain, not the wine, and we shall overcome them.But the seruantes of the king of Syria said to him: The goddes of the mountaynes be their goddes, therfore haue they ouercome vs: but it is better that we fight against them in the champaine, & we shal ouercome them.✦Servi vero regis Syriæ dixerunt ei : Dii montium sunt dii eorum, ideo superaverunt nos : sed melius est ut pugnemus contra eos in campestribus, et obtinebimus eos.
24Thou therefore do this word: Remove all the kings from thine army, and put captains for them:Thou therfore do this word: Remoue al the kinges from thine armie, and put captaines for them:✦Tu ergo verbum hoc fac : amove reges singulos ab exercitu tuo, et pone principes pro eis :
25and repair the number of soldiers, that are slain of thine, and horses according to the old horses, and chariots according to the chariots, which thou hadst before: and we will fight against them in the champaign, and thou shalt see that we shall overcome them. He believed their counsel, and did so.and repaire the number of souldiars, that are slaine of thine, and horses according to the old horses, & chariotes according to the chariotes, which thou hadst before: and we wil fight against them in the champaine, and thou shalt see that we shal ouercome them. He beleued their counsel, and did so.et instaura numerum militum qui ceciderunt de tuis, et equos secundum equos pristinos, et currus secundum currus quos ante habuisti : et pugnabimus contra eos in campestribus, et videbis quod obtinebimus eos. Credidit consilio eorum, et fecit ita.
26Therefore after a year was passed, Benadad mustered the Syrians, and went up into Aphec, to fight against Israel.Therfore after a yeare was passed, Benadad mustered the Syrians, and went vp into Aphec, to fight against Israel.Igitur postquam annus transierat, recensuit Benadad Syros, et ascendit in Aphec ut pugnaret contra Israël.
27Moreover the children of Israel were mustered, and taking victuals they went forth on the contrary side, and camped against them, as it were two little flocks of goats: but the Syrians filled the land.Moreouer the children of Israel were mustered, and taking victuals they went forth on the contrarie side, and camped against them, as it were two litle flockes of goates: but the Syrians filled the land.Porro filii Israël recensiti sunt, et acceptis cibariis profecti ex adverso, castraque metati sunt contra eos, quasi duo parvi greges caprarum : Syri autem repleverunt terram.
28And a man of God coming, said to the king of Israel: Thus saith our Lord: Because the Syrians have said: The Lord is God of the mountains, and is not God of the Valleys: I will give all this great multitude into thy hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.( And a man of God coming, said to the king of Israel: Thus saith our Lord: Because the Syrians haue said: The Lord is God of the mountaines, and is not God of the Valleis: I wil geue al this great multitude into thy hand, and you shal know that I am the Lord. )✦(Et accedens unus vir Dei, dixit ad regem Israël : Hæc dicit Dominus : Quia dixerunt Syri : Deus montium est Dominus, et non est Deus vallium : dabo omnem multitudinem hanc grandem in manu tua, et scietis quia ego sum Dominus.)
29And seven days did these, and they direct their armies one against the other, and in the seventh day was the battle fought: and the children of Israel stroke of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day.And seuen dayes did these, and they direct their armies one against the other, and in the seuenth day was the battel fought: and the children of Israel stroke of the Syrians an hundred thousand footemen in one day.Dirigebantque septem diebus ex adverso hi atque illi acies, septima autem die commissum est bellum : percusseruntque filii Israël de Syris centum millia peditum in die una.
30And they that remained in Aphec, fled into the city: and the wall fell upon seven and twenty thousand men, that were left. Moreover Benadad fleeing entered the city, into a chamber that was within a chamber,And they that remained in Aphec, fled into the citie: and the wal fel vpon seuen and twentie thousand men, that were leaft. Moreouer Benadad fleing entered the citie, into a chamber that was within a chamber,✦Fugerunt autem qui remanserant in Aphec, in civitatem : et cecidit murus super viginti septem millia hominum qui remanserant. Porro Benadad fugiens ingressus est civitatem, in cubiculum quod erat intra cubiculum.
31and his servants said to him: Behold, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful: Let us therefore put sackcloths on our loins, and cords on our heads, and go forth to the king of Israel: perhaps he will save our lives.and his seruantes said to him: Behold, we haue heard that the kinges of the house of Israel are merciful: Let vs therfore put sackeclothes on our loynes, and cordes on our heades, and goe forth to the king of Israel: perhaps he wil saue our liues.✦Dixeruntque ei servi sui : Ecce, audivimus quod reges domus Israël clementes sint : ponamus itaque saccos in lumbis nostris, et funiculos in capitibus nostris, et egrediamur ad regem Israël : forsitan salvabit animas nostras.
32They girded their loins with sackcloths, and put cords on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said to him: Thy servant saith: Let my soul live, I beseech thee. And he said: If he be yet alive he is my brother.They girded their loines with sackclothes, and put cordes on their heades, and came to the king of Israel, and said to him: Thy seruant saith: Let my soule liue, I besech thee. And he said: If he be yet aliue he is my brother.✦Accinxerunt saccis lumbos suos, et posuerunt funiculos in capitibus suis, veneruntque ad regem Israël, et dixerunt ei : Servus tuus Benadad dicit : Vivat, oro te, anima mea. Et ille ait : Si adhuc vivit, frater meus est.
33Which the men took for good luck: and in haste caught the word of his mouth, and said: Thy brother Benadad. And he said to them: Go and bring him to me. Benadad therefore came out to him, and he lifted him up into his chariot.Which the men tooke for good lucke: and in hast caught the word of his mouth, and said: Thy brother Benadad. And he said to them: Goe and bring him to me. Benadad therfore came out to him, and he lifted him vp into his chariote.Quod acceperunt viri pro omine : et festinantes rapuerunt verbum ex ore ejus, atque dixerunt : Frater tuus Benadad. Et dixit eis : Ite, et adducite eum ad me. Egressus est ergo ad eum Benadad, et levavit eum in currum suum.
34Who said to him: The cities which my father took from thy father, I will render: do thou make thee streets in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria, and I confederate will depart from thee. He therefore made a league, and dismissed him.Who said to him: The cities which my father tooke from thy father, I wil render: doe thou make thee stretes in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria, and I confederate wil depart from thee. He therfore made a league, and dimissed him.✦Qui dixit ei : Civitates quas tulit pater meus a patre tuo, reddam : et plateas fac tibi in Damasco, sicut fecit pater meus in Samaria, et ego fœderatus recedam a te. Pepigit ergo fœdus, et dimisit eum.
35Then a certain man of the children of the prophets said to his fellow in the word of our Lord: Strike me. But he would not strike.Then a certaine man of the children of the prophetes sayd to his felow in the word of our Lord: Strike me. But he would not strike.✦Tunc vir quidam de filiis prophetarum dixit ad socium suum in sermone Domini : Percute me. At ille noluit percutere.
36To whom he said: Because thou wouldest not hear the word of our Lord, behold thou shalt depart from me, and a lion shall strike thee. And when he was departed a little from him, a lion found him, and slew him.To whom he said: Because thou wouldest not heare the word of our Lord, behold thou shalt depart from me, and a lion shal strike thee. And when he was departed a litle from him, a lyon found him, and slew him.Cui ait : Quia noluisti audire vocem Domini, ecce recedes a me, et percutiet te leo. Cumque paululum recessisset ab eo, invenit eum leo, atque percussit.
37But finding also another man, he said to him: Strike me. Who stroke him, and wounded him.But finding also an other man, he said to him: Strike me. Who stroke him, and wounded him.Sed et alterum inveniens virum, dixit ad eum : Percute me. Qui percussit eum, et vulneravit.
38The prophet therefore went, and met the king in the way, and with sprinkling of dust changed his face and his eyes.The prophete therfore went, and mette the king in the way, and with sprinkling of dust changed his face and his eies.Abiit ergo propheta, et occurrit regi in via, et mutavit aspersione pulveris os et oculos suos.
39And when the king passed by, he cried to the king, and said: Thy servant went forth to fight hand cominus: hand to hand, at close quarters: and when a certain man was fled, one brought him to me, and said: Keep this man: who if he shall slip away, thy life shall be for his life, or thou shalt pay a talent of silver.And when the king passed by, he cried to the king, and said: Thy seruant went forth to fight hand strokes: and when a certaine man was fled, one brought him to me, and said: Keepe this man: who if he shal slippe away, thy life shal be for his life, or thou shalt pay a talent of siluer.Cumque rex transisset, clamavit ad regem, et ait : Servus tuus egressus est ad præliandum cominus : cumque fugisset vir unus, adduxit eum quidam ad me, et ait : Custodi virum istum : qui si lapsus fuerit, erit anima tua pro anima ejus, aut talentum argenti appendes.
40And whiles I being troubled turned hither and thither, suddenly he appeared not. And the king of Israel said to him: This is thy judgement, which thy self hast decreed.And whiles I being trubled turned hither and thither, sodenly he appeared not. And the king of Israel sayd to him: This is thy iudgement, which thy self hast decreed.Dum autem ego turbatus huc illucque me verterem, subito non comparuit. Et ait rex Israël ad eum : Hoc est judicium tuum, quod ipse decrevisti.
41But he forthwith wiped off the dust from his face, and the king of Israel knew him, that he was of the prophets.But he forthwith wyped of the dust from his face, and the king of Israel knew him, that he was of the prophetes.At ille statim abstersit pulverem de facie sua, et cognovit eum rex Israël, quod esset de prophetis.
42Who said to him: Thus saith our Lord: Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man worthy to die, thy life shall be for his life, and thy people for his people.Who sayd to him: Thus sayth our Lord: Because thou hast let goe out of thy hand a man worthie to die, thy life shal be for his life, and thy people for his people.✦Qui ait ad eum : Hæc dicit Dominus : Quia dimisisti virum dignum morte de manu tua, erit anima tua pro anima ejus, et populus tuus pro populo ejus.
43The king of Israel therefore returned into his house, contemning to hear, and raging came into Samaria.The king of Israel therfore returned into his house, contemning to heare, & raging came into Samaria.✦Reversus est igitur rex Israël in domum suam, audire contemnens, et furibundus venit in Samariam.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition.