21. The king of Israel advanced and overpowered the horses and chariots and inflicted heavy losses on the Arameans.
22. Afterwards, the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, ‘Strengthen your position and see what must be done, because next spring the king of Aram will attack you again.’
23. Meanwhile, the officials of the king of Aram advised him, ‘Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them on the plains, surely we will be stronger than they.
24. Do this: remove all the kings from their commands and replace them with other officers.
25. You must also raise an army like the one you lost – horse for horse and chariot for chariot – so we can fight Israel on the plains. Then surely we will be stronger than they.’ He agreed with them and acted accordingly.
26. The next spring Ben-Hadad mustered the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.