* as though.
   It is still the custom of the East, according to Dr. Perry, to
   allow the soldiers a certain quantity of corn, with other
   articles of provision, together with some pay:  and as it was
   the custom also to grind the corn, as needed, at the break of
   day, these two captains very naturally went the day before to
   the palace, where the king's stores appear to have been kept,
   to fetch wheat, in order to distribute it to the soldiers
   under them, to be ground at the accustomed hour in the
   morning.  The princes of the East, in those days, as appears
   from the history of David, reposed on their couches till the
   cool of the evening:  they therefore came in the heat of the
   day, when they knew their master would be resting on his bed;
   and as it was a necessary to have the corn before it was
   needed, their coming at this time, though it might be earlier
   than usual, excited no suspicion.

 * under.
  2:23  3:27  20:10