2 Kings 7:10

10 So they came and called to the porter of the city: and they told him, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and behold, [there was] no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they [were].

2 Kings 7:10 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 7:10

So they came and called to the porter of the city
The chief of those that had the care of the gate of it; for there were more than one, as follows:

and they told them;
the porter, and the watchmen with him:

we came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man
there, neither voice of man;
not one to be seen or heard:

but horses tied, and asses tied;
to their mangers; the latter, as well as the former, were used for war, not only to carry burdens, but to fight upon, as Aelianus ^F1 relates of some people; and especially when there was a want of horses, as Strabo ^F2; and both observe that this creature was sacrificed to Mars:

and the tents as they were;
none of them struck, nor anything taken out of them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 De Animal. l. 12. c. 34.
F2 Geograph. l. 15. p. 500.

2 Kings 7:10 In-Context

8 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and ate and drank, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid [it]; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence [also], and went and hid [it].

9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day [is] a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household.

10 So they came and called to the porter of the city: and they told him, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and behold, [there was] no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they [were].

11 And he called the porters; and they told [it] to the king's house within.

12 And the king arose in the night, and said to his servants, I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we [are] hungry; therefore they have gone out of the camp, to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city, we shall take them alive, and get into the city.