17. The servants of the district governors led the march. When Ben Hadad sent messengers, they reported back to him, “Men are marching out of Samaria.”
18. He ordered, “Whether they come in peace or to do battle, take them alive.”
19. They marched out of the city with the servants of the district governors in the lead and the army behind them.
20. Each one struck down an enemy soldier; the Syrians fled and Israel chased them. King Ben Hadad of Syria escaped on horseback with some horsemen.
21. Then the king of Israel marched out and struck down the horses and chariots; he thoroughly defeated Syria.
22. The prophet visited the king of Israel and instructed him, “Go, fortify your defenses. Determine what you must do, for in the spring the king of Syria will attack you.”
23. Now the advisers of the king of Syria said to him: “Their God is a god of the mountains. That’s why they overpowered us. But if we fight them in the plains, we will certainly overpower them.
24. So do this: Dismiss the kings from their command, and replace them with military commanders.
25. Muster an army like the one you lost, with the same number of horses and chariots. Then we will fight them in the plains; we will certainly overpower them.” He approved their plan and did as they advised.
26. In the spring Ben Hadad mustered the Syrian army and marched to Aphek to fight Israel.