9. Tell my lord. Ahab’s refusal is phrased in as gentle terms as possible. He continues his acknowledgment of suzerainty, agreed upon at his first submission, and is willing to recognize himself to be the “servant” or slave of the Syrian king. He expresses his willingness to comply with the demands already accepted, but the latter demands he “may not” accept. By such a conciliatory reply Ahab hoped to induce Benhadad to adopt a more reasonable attitude.