7. The king of Israel summoned all the leaders of the land and said, “Notice how this man is looking for trouble. Indeed, he demanded my wives, sons, silver, and gold, and I did not resist him.”
8. All the leaders and people said to him, “Do not give in or agree to his demands.”
9. So he said to the messengers of Ben Hadad, “Say this to my master, the king, ‘I will give you everything you demanded at first from your servant, but I am unable to agree to this latest demand.’” So the messengers went back and gave their report.
10. Ben Hadad sent another message to him, “May the gods judge me severely if there is enough dirt left in Samaria for my soldiers to scoop up in their hands.”
11. The king of Israel replied, “Tell him the one who puts on his battle gear should not boast like one who is taking it off.”
12. When Ben Hadad received this reply, he and the other kings were drinking in their quarters. He ordered his servants, “Get ready to attack!” So they got ready to attack the city.
13. Now a prophet visited King Ahab of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says, ‘Do you see this huge army? Look, I am going to hand it over to you this very day. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
14. Ahab asked, “By whom will this be accomplished?” He answered, “This is what the Lord says, ‘By the servants of the district governors.’” Ahab asked, “Who will launch the attack?” He answered, “You will.”
15. So Ahab assembled the 232 servants of the district governors. After that he assembled all the Israelite army, numbering 7,000.
16. They marched out at noon, while Ben Hadad and the thirty-two kings allied with him were drinking heavily in their quarters.
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.