Definition: And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel [are] merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 20:31. It’s a really dramatic passage about a prophecy and a desperate plea. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: A Prophecy is Made: God tells an angel that he’s going to happen something significant involving King David. The Kings are Being Called: The angel says, “The servants… have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful.” This means these kings – particularly King David – are known for being kind and compassionate. A Request is Made: The angels say, “Let us go out to meet the king of Israel and tell him to protect you.” Putting it Together - The Plea: The verse describes a group of servants going to meet with King David. They’re essentially begging him to protect him because they believe he's in danger. They want to make sure he’s safe and that the king will look out for his life. What’s the Tone? It’s a very serious and urgent message. The angels are warning King David about a potential threat, and they’re asking him to take action – to be prepared to go and defend him. Important Note: This verse is part of a larger story in the Bible that involves a serpent trying to trick King David into disobeying God's commands. It sets up a conflict that leads to a major event in the narrative. --- Do you want me to explain any specific aspect of this verse further? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of the story in 1 Kings 20? Discuss the symbolism behind the request for protection?