17
The junior officers under the provincial commanders went out first. Now Ben-Hadad had dispatched scouts, who reported, “Men are advancing from Samaria.”
18
He said, “If they have come out for peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive.”
19
The junior officers under the provincial commanders marched out of the city with the army behind them
20
and each one struck down his opponent. At that, the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with some of his horsemen.
21
The king of Israel advanced and overpowered the horses and chariots and inflicted heavy losses on the Arameans.
22
Afterward, the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, “Strengthen your position and see what must be done, because next spring the king of Aram will attack you again.”
23
Meanwhile, the officials of the king of Aram advised him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them on the plains, surely we will be stronger than they.
24
Do this: Remove all the kings from their commands and replace them with other officers.
25
You must also raise an army like the one you lost—horse for horse and chariot for chariot—so we can fight Israel on the plains. Then surely we will be stronger than they.” He agreed with them and acted accordingly.
26
The next spring Ben-Hadad mustered the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.
27
When the Israelites were also mustered and given provisions, they marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped opposite them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside.