The older men of Israel were different from officials, nobles, and guardians (Judges 8:14; 1 Kings 21:8; 2 Kings 10:5) who held government positions. These elders traditionally had significant influence on royal decisions. When Ben-hadad, king of Aram, attacked Samaria, the elders of Samaria firmly rejected his harsh surrender terms (1 Kings 20:7–9). Earlier, during Absalom's revolt against David, the elders of Israel played a key role in important decisions (2 Samuel 17:4, 15; 19:11).