10. Then Ben-hadad sent this message to Ahab: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if there remains enough dust from Samaria to provide even a handful for each of my soldiers.”
11. The king of Israel sent back this answer: “A warrior putting on his sword for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won.”
12. Ahab’s reply reached Ben-hadad and the other kings as they were drinking in their tents. “Prepare to attack!” Ben-hadad commanded his officers. So they prepared to attack the city.
13. Then a certain prophet came to see King Ahab of Israel and told him, “This is what the lord says: Do you see all these enemy forces? Today I will hand them all over to you. Then you will know that I am the lord.”
14. Ahab asked, “How will he do it?”And the prophet replied, “This is what the lord says: The troops of the provincial commanders will do it.”“Should we attack first?” Ahab asked.“Yes,” the prophet answered.