242 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

about the same hour, he said he would send his servants
to search the palace and the houses of the people in
Samaria, and whatever the possessor valued most, that
they were to take away. This was rather too much—
even Ahab hesitated about yielding to it. Before re-
turning an answer, he called together the elders of the
land to hear their opinion on the matter. He told them
how the case stood, what his former reply had been, and
what was the last demand of Benhadad. With one
voice the people and elders exclaimed, “ Hearken not
unto him, nor consent.” Ahab then told the messengers
of Benhadad to tell their king that though he was willing
to agree to his first demand, it was not in his power to
agree to this one. Benhadad was enraged, and sent a
very angry message. “The gods do so unto me, and
more also,” he said, “if the dust of Samaria shall suffice
for handfuls for all the people that follow me.”

Johnnie. What did he mean by that, grandfather ?

Grandfather. He meant that he would destroy Sa-
maria so completely that the city would be reduced to
dust, and that his army was such a very numerous one,
each of them would not be able to get a handful of dust.
Benhadad’s words sounded great, but his actions were
very contemptible. We learn from his conduct that
those who boast much do little. He told his servants to
prepare for battle and set themselves in array against
the city. They obeyed, and instead of putting himself
at their head, and leading them on to the attack, Ben-
hadad with his thirty-two kings sat down in their pa-
vilions to drink.