1 Kings 20:1-21

1King Benhadad of Aram gathered together his whole army. With him were 32 kings along with their horses and chariots. He went to blockade Samaria and fight against it.

2He sent messengers into the city to King Ahab of Israel. They told Ahab, “This is what Benhadad says:

3Your silver and gold are mine. Your beloved wives and children are mine.”

4The king of Israel answered, “As you say, Your Majesty. I and everything I have are yours.”

5But Benhadad sent messengers back ⌞to Ahab⌟. They said, “Benhadad has sent this message to you: ‘Your silver, gold, wives, and children are mine. Give ⌞them to me⌟.

6At this time tomorrow I’m going to send my servants to search your palace and your servants’ houses. They will take anything that you consider valuable.’ ”

7Then the king of Israel called for all the leaders of the country. He said, “You can see how this man is looking for trouble. When he sent for my wives, children, silver, and gold, I didn’t refuse him.”

8All the leaders and all the people told him, “Don’t listen to him. Don’t agree ⌞to his demands⌟.”

9Ahab told Benhadad’s messengers, “Tell His Majesty, ‘I did everything your messengers told me the first time, but I can’t do this.’ ” The messengers left to take back his answer.

10Then Benhadad sent Ahab the following message: “May the gods strike me dead if there will be enough dust left from Samaria to give a handful to each soldier who follows me.”

11The king of Israel answered, “The saying goes, ‘Don’t brag about a victory before you have even dressed for battle.’ ”

12Benhadad heard this as he and his allies were drinking in their tents. He told his officers to get ready. So they got ready ⌞to attack⌟ the city.

13Then a prophet came to King Ahab of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says: Have you seen this large army? I will hand it over to you today. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”

14Ahab asked, “How ⌞will this be done⌟?” The prophet answered, “This is what the Lord says: by using the young officers of the district governors.” “Who will start the battle?” Ahab asked. “You will,” the prophet answered.

15Ahab counted the young officers of the district governors. There were 232. After counting them, he counted all the Israelite soldiers. There were 7,000.

16They attacked at noon, when Benhadad was in his tent getting drunk with the 32 kings who were his allies.

17The young officers of the district governors went out first. Benhadad had sent men ⌞to watch the city⌟. They informed him that some men had come out of Samaria.

18He said, “Take them alive, whether they have come out to make peace or to fight.”

19The young officers of the district governors led an attack, and the troops followed them.

20Each officer killed his opponent. The Arameans fled, and Israel pursued them. King Benhadad of Aram escaped on a horse with the cavalry.

21The king of Israel went out and destroyed the horses and chariots and decisively defeated the Arameans.