12. King Ben-Hadad was drinking in his tent with the other rulers when the messengers came back and gave him the message from King Ahab. King Ben-Hadad commanded his men to prepare to attack the city, so the men moved into their places for the battle.
13. Then a prophet went to King Ahab and said, “King Ahab, the Lord says to you, ‘Do you see that great army? I will defeat that army for you today. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
14. Ahab said, “Who will you use to defeat them?” The prophet answered, “The Lord says, ‘The young men who carry the weapons for the government officials.’” Then the king asked, “Who should command the main army?” The prophet answered, “You will.”
15. So Ahab gathered the young helpers of the government officials. There were 232 of these young men. Then the king called together the army of Israel. The total number was 7000.
16. King Ahab began his attack at noon, while King Ben-Hadad and the 32 kings were drinking and getting drunk in their tents.
17. The young helpers went out first. King Ben-Hadad’s men told him that some soldiers had come out of Samaria.
18. So Ben-Hadad said, “They might be coming to fight or they might be coming to ask for peace. Capture them alive.”