18. He said, “Take them alive, whether they have come out to make peace or to fight.”
19. The young officers of the district governors led an attack, and the troops followed them.
20. Each officer killed his opponent. The Arameans fled, and Israel pursued them. King Benhadad of Aram escaped on a horse with the cavalry.
21. The king of Israel went out and destroyed the horses and chariots and decisively defeated the Arameans.
22. Then the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, “Reinforce your army. Consider what you have to do. When spring comes, the king of Aram will attack ⌊again⌋.”
23. Meanwhile, the officers of King Benhadad of Aram told him, “Their god is a god of the hills. That is why they were stronger than we were. However, if we fight them on the plain, we will be stronger than they are.
24. This is what we must do: Remove all of the kings from their positions, and substitute governors for them.