33 Early in the morning the king marched out, taking his army on a forced march along the road to Beth-zechariah. His troops readied themselves for battle, and they sounded their trumpets.
34 They aroused the elephants using grape and mulberry juices, to get them ready for battle.
35 They distributed the animals among groups of soldiers. With each elephant, they stationed one thousand infantry wearing armor and brass helmets. Five hundred select cavalry were also assigned to each animal.
36 The troops positioned themselves wherever the animal was. Wherever it went, they went; and they never left it.
37 Strong covered wooden towers were set on top of the elephants. Special harnesses were fastened on each animal. On each were four armed men who fought from there, and an Indian driver also.
38 The remaining cavalry were stationed on either side of the elephants, to harass the enemy while being protected inside the two flanks of the army.
39 When the sun shone on the gold and brass shields, the hills looked like they were on fire from their reflection and glowed like burning torches.