1 Kings 20:16

16 They marched out at noon while Ben-hadad and the 32 kings who were helping him were getting drunk in the tents.

1 Kings 20:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:16

And they went out at noon
From Samaria, the two hundred and thirty two young men, and the 7000 Israelites, openly, with great spirit and courage, fearless and undaunted; but it is not said that Ahab went out at the head of them; it seems as if he did not by what is said, ( 1 Kings 20:21 ) ,

but Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions (or booths, or
tents), he, and the kings, the thirty two kings that helped him;
who either were his subjects, or his tributaries, or confederates; being secure, and having nothing to fear from Ahab, he and they gave themselves up to carousing and drinking, even at noon, and so destruction came upon them unawares, as on Belshazzar.

1 Kings 20:16 In-Context

14 Ahab asked, "By whom?" And the prophet said, "This is what the Lord says: 'By the young men of the provincial leaders.' " Then he asked, "Who is to start the battle?" He said, "You."

15 So Ahab counted the young men of the provincial leaders, and there were 232. After them he counted all the Israelite troops: 7,000.

16 They marched out at noon while Ben-hadad and the 32 kings who were helping him were getting drunk in the tents.

17 The young men of the provincial leaders marched out first. Then Ben-hadad sent out scouts, and they reported to him, saying, "Men are marching out of Samaria."

18 So he said, "If they have marched out in peace, take them alive, and if they have marched out for battle, take them alive."