Bible verse
“If they have marched out in peace,” he said, “take them alive. Even if they have marched out for war, take them alive.”
1 Kings 20:18 · BSB
The verses around it, from 1 Kings 20.
14 “By whom?” Ahab asked. And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: ‘By the young officers of the district governors.’” “Who will start the battle?” asked Ahab. “You will,” answered the prophet.
15 So Ahab assembled the young officers of the district governors, and there were 232 men. And after them, he assembled the rest of the Israelite troops, 7,000 in all.
16 They marched out at noon while Ben-hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk.
17 And the young officers of the district governors marched out first. Now Ben-hadad had sent out scouts, who reported to him, “Men are marching out of Samaria.”
18 “If they have marched out in peace,” he said, “take them alive. Even if they have marched out for war, take them alive.”
19 Meanwhile, these young officers of the district governors marched out of the city, with the army behind them,
20 and each one struck down his opponent. So the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with the cavalry.
21 Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the horses and chariots, inflicting a great slaughter on the Arameans.
22 Afterward, the prophet approached the king of Israel and said, “Go and strengthen your position, and take note what you must do, for in the spring the king of Aram will come up against you.”
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.
ASV
And he said, Whether they are come out for peace, take them alive, or whether they are come out for war, taken them alive.
ERV
And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.
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Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is free of copyright restrictions for use on websites. Read the full Bible on Great Faith.