1 Kings 20:16

16 They set out at noon. Ben-Hadad was drinking himself senseless in the field-barracks, he and the kings, the thirty-two kings who were his allies.

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 Ach'av asked, "Who will defeat them?" He answered, "This is what ADONAI says: 'The young men who serve the district governors.'" He asked, "Who will start the fighting?" and he answered, "You will."

15 He counted the district governors' young men; there were 232. After that, he counted all the people, all the people of Isra'el; there were 7,000.

16 They set out at noon. Ben-Hadad was drinking himself senseless in the field-barracks, he and the kings, the thirty-two kings who were his allies.

17 The district governors' men went out first. Ben-Hadad sent for information, and they reported, "Men have come out from Shomron."

18 He said, "Whether they have come out for peace or for war, take them alive."