1 Kings 18:10

18:10 As certainly as the Lord your God lives, my master has sent to every nation and kingdom in an effort to find you. When they say, ‘He’s not here,’ he makes them ¹  swear an oath that they could not find you.

1 Kings 20:31

20:31 His advisers ²  said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of the Israelite dynasty are kind. ³  Allow us to put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads ⁴  and surrender ⁵  to the king of Israel. Maybe he will spare our lives.”

---

¹ tn Heb “he makes the kingdom or the nation swear an oath.”

² tn Or “servants.”

³ 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.

⁴ 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.

⁵ tn Heb “go out.”