246 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

with ropes on their heads. To Ahab they addressed
these words: “ Thy servant Benhadad saith, I pray
thee let me live.” “Is he yet alive?” said the king of
Israel; “he is my brother.” The Syrians eagerly caught
at the kindly expression, and repeated, “ Thy brother
Benhadad.” So Ahab told them to bring their king,
which they were not long in doing; and so kindly was he
received, that the king of Israel even took him up in his
chariot beside him. Then terms were dictated by Ben-
hadad as if he had been the victor, and agreed to by
Ahab as if he had been the conquered.

George. And what were the terms? Surely Benha-
dad was to give up something to Ahab ?

Grandfather. Nothing except what rightfully belonged
to him. He was only to get the cities of Israel which
had been taken away by a former king of Syria; but he
was to have one privilege which he had not had before,
if it could be called a privilege. He was to have the
right of making streets in Damascus.

George. What a poor king Ahab was; he did not
know what to do with a victory when he had got it.

Marianne. But what should he have done ?

Grandfather. He ought to have killed Benhadad.
The Lord had marked him for destruction, and had per-
mitted the king of Israel to be the instrument of punish-
ing him. | |

Marianne. Yes, but Ahab had been sorry for Ben-
hadad, and perhaps did not know that God meant that
he should be killed.