Maybe some prophets do tell good news...

Here is how it started. It started out as a normal day, until Ben-Hadad king of Aram got his whole army together for battle against us. At first Ben-Hadad asked for silver, gold, our wives, and children, and I did not reject his request for those. But then he went a little too far. He said, "I sent to demand your silver and gold, your wives and your children. But about this time tomorrow I am going to send my officials to search your palace and the houses of your officials. They will seize everything you value and carry it away." At this, I told him that I could not meet his second demand only the first. Then Ben-Hadad told me that he will bring his army and destroy us. Yeah right, like that will ever happen.

While we were preparing for the battle, a prophet came to me. He told me that the LORD will give Ben-Hadad's army into my hands and then I will know that he is LORD. I asked him who will do that. He said that the young officers of the provincial commanders will do it. I decided to listen to him even though I am not sure what made me do that. However, it came out for the best though.

I summoned the young officers of the provincial commanders and it was 232 men. Then I gathered together the rest of the Israelites and that was 7,000 men in all. We set out for battle at noon. Ben-Hadad and his 32 allied kings were in their tents getting drunk which I wish I could have joined.

When the battle finally started, the young officers sure proved themselves to me there. They struck down their opponents, forcing Ben-Hadad and his Arameans to fled. We basically killed them and owned Ben-Hadad, that no good king of Aram. The prophet told me that I should strengthen my position because Ben-Hadad will attack me next spring again. I decided to listen to him because his first advice was good and figured that his second advice will be as good.