So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them.
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.
And he said, If they be come out for peace, take them alive; or if they be come out for war, take them alive.
And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with the horsemen.
So Joab and the people that were with him drew near before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.