1 Kings 20:18

WEB

He said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; or if they have come out for war, take them alive."

KJV

And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.

Commentary

And he said, whether they be come out for peace,.... To propose terms of peace: take them alive; make them prisoners, which was contrary to the laws of nations: or whether they be come out for war, take them alive; he made no doubt of their being easily taken; but he would not have them be put to death, that he might examine them, and know the state of things in Samaria, and what Ahab intended to do, that he might take his measures accordingly.