16-17. At midday, King Ahab and his Israelite army marched out of Samaria, with the young soldiers in front.King Benhadad of Syria and the thirty-two kings with him were drunk when the scouts he had sent out ran up to his tent, shouting, “We just now saw soldiers marching out of Samaria!”
18. “Take them alive!” Benhadad ordered. “I don't care if they have come out to fight or to surrender.”
19. The young soldiers led Israel's troops into battle,
20. and each of them attacked and killed an enemy soldier. The rest of the Syrian army turned and ran, and the Israelites went after them. Benhadad and some others escaped on horses,
21. but Ahab and his soldiers followed them and captured their horses and chariots.Ahab and Israel's army crushed the Syrians.
22. Later, the prophet went back and warned Ahab, “Benhadad will attack you again next spring. Build up your troops and make sure you have some good plans.”
23. Meanwhile, Benhadad's officials went to him and explained:Israel's gods are mountain gods. We fought Israel's army in the hills, and that's why they defeated us. But if we fight them on flat land, there's no way we can lose.
24. Here's what you should do. First, get rid of those thirty-two kings and put army commanders in their places.
25. Then get more soldiers, horses, and chariots, so your army will be as strong as it was before. We'll fight Israel's army on flat land and wipe them out.Benhadad agreed and did what they suggested.