20:31a Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful.

His servants/officials said to him, “Please listen! We(incl.) have heard that the kings of Israel are kind.
-or-
Then Ben-Hadad’s advisers/men told him, “⌊We (excl.) want you (sing) to⌋ know that we have heard that Israel’s kings give/show mercy ⌊to their enemies⌋.

20:31b Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists

Please allow/permit (sing) us (excl.) to go to Israel’s king. Let us (excl.) tie/wrap sackcloth around our (excl.) waists
-or-
If you agree, we (excl.) will go ⌊and surrender⌋ to the king of Israel. We (excl.) will dress/cover our (excl.) bodies with rough cloth

20:31c and ropes around our heads.

and put rope around our (excl.) heads/necks.
-or-
and place/wear ropes around our (excl.) necks.

20:31d Perhaps he will spare your life.”

Maybe he will allow you (sing) to live.”
-or-
It may be/happen that he will not kill/execute you. (sing) ”

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