1 Kings 20:16-22

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. 20:21 Then the king of Israel marched out and struck down the horses and chariots; he thoroughly defeated ⁶  Syria.

The Lord Gives Israel Another Victory

20:22 The prophet ⁷  visited the king of Israel and instructed him, “Go, fortify your defenses. ⁸  Determine ⁹  what you must do, for in the spring ¹⁰  the king of Syria will attack ¹¹  you.”

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.

⁴ tn Heb “if they come in peace, take them alive; if they come for battle, take them alive.”

⁵ tn Heb “each struck down his man.”

⁶ tn Heb “struck down Aram with a great striking down.”

⁷ tn The definite article indicates previous reference, that is, “the prophet mentioned earlier” (see v. 13).

⁸ tn Heb “strengthen yourself.”

⁹ tn Heb “know and see.”

¹⁰ tn Heb “at the turning of the year.”

¹¹ tn Heb “go up against.”