And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.
Reuben ... Slay my two sons - (see the note at Genesis 37:22; Genesis 37:30.) This was a thoughtless and unwarrantable condition-one that he never seriously expected his father would accept. It was designed only to give assurance of the greatest care being taken of Benjamin. But unforeseen circumstances might arise to render it impossible for all of them to preserve that young lad (James 4:14); and Jacob was much pained by the prospect. Little did he know that God was dealing with him severely, but in kindness (Hebrews 12:7-8), and that all those things he thought against him were working together for his good.