1 Kings 20:17 Explained in Context

Verse 12. ¹² And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city.

Verse 13. ¹³ And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.

Verse 14. ¹⁴ And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.

Verse 15. ¹⁵ Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.

Verse 16. ¹⁶ And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

Verse 17. ¹⁷ And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Ben-hadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria.

Verse 18. ¹⁸ And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.

Verse 19. ¹⁹ So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them.

Verse 20. ²⁰ And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen.

Verse 21. ²¹ And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.