18. “Take them alive,” Ben-hadad commanded, “whether they have come for peace or for war.”
19. But Ahab’s provincial commanders and the entire army had now come out to fight.
20. Each Israelite soldier killed his Aramean opponent, and suddenly the entire Aramean army panicked and fled. The Israelites chased them, but King Ben-hadad and a few of his charioteers escaped on horses.
21. However, the king of Israel destroyed the other horses and chariots and slaughtered the Arameans.
22. Afterward the prophet said to King Ahab, “Get ready for another attack. Begin making plans now, for the king of Aram will come back next spring.”
23. After their defeat, Ben-hadad’s officers said to him, “The Israelite gods are gods of the hills; that is why they won. But we can beat them easily on the plains.
24. Only this time replace the kings with field commanders!