1 Kings 20:16-20

20:16 They marched out at noon, while Ben Hadad and the thirty-two kings allied with him were drinking heavily ¹  in their quarters. ²  20:17 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.” ³  20:18 He ordered, “Whether they come in peace or to do battle, take them alive.” ⁴  20:19 They marched out of the city with the servants of the district governors in the lead and the army behind them. 20:20 Each one struck down an enemy soldier; ⁵  the Syrians fled and Israel chased them. King Ben Hadad of Syria escaped on horseback with some horsemen.

¹ tn Heb “drinking and drunken.”

² tn Heb “in the temporary shelters.” This is probably referring to tents.

³ map For location see Map2-B1; Map4-D3; Map5-E2; Map6-A4; Map7-C1.

⁵ tn Heb “if they come in peace, take them alive; if they come for battle, take them alive.”

⁷ tn Heb “each struck down his man.”