1 Kings 20:31

His advisers ¹  said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of the Israelite dynasty are kind. ²  Allow us to put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads ³  and surrender ⁴  to the king of Israel. Maybe he will spare our lives.”

Ge 37:34; 2Sa 3:31; 2Sa 14:2; 1Ki 20:23; 1Ki 21:27-29; 2Ki 5:13; 2Ki 7:4; 2Ki 19:1,2; Es 4:1-3; Es 4:16; Job 2:4; Pr 20:28; Isa 16:5; Isa 22:12; Isa 37:1; Jon 3:5,6; Mt 10:28; Eph 1:7,8; Re 11:3

¹ tn Or “servants.”

² 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.

³ 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.

⁴ tn Heb “go out.”