Meanwhile, these young officers of the district governors marched out of the city, with the army behind them,
The treaty between the besiegers and the besieged being broken off abruptly, we have here an account of the battle that ensued immediately. I. The Syrians, the besiegers, had their directions from a drunken king, who gave orders over his cups, as he was drinking (Kg1 20:12), drinking himself drunk (Kg1 20:16) with the kings in the pavilions, and this at noon.
Commenting on 1 Kings 20:12-21
So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city,.... First, as before observed, and marched forwards towards the Syrian camp: and the army which followed them; consisting of 7000 men.
1Ki 20:19-21 But they - the servants of the governors at the head, and the rest of the army behind - smote every one his man, so that the Aramaeans fled, and Benhadad, pursued by the Israelites, escaped on a horse with some of the cavalry. וּפּרשׁים is in apposition to בּן־הדד, “he escaped, and horsemen,” sc.
Commenting on 1 Kings 20:19-21