2 Kings 7:12

12 The king arose in the night, and said to his servants, I will now show you what the Aram have done to us. They know that we are hungry; therefore are they 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.

2 Kings 7:12 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 7:12

And the king arose in the night
Upon the report made to him:

and he said unto his servants, I will now show you what the Syrians
have done to us;
taking it to be a stratagem of theirs to decoy them:

they know that we be hungry;
and would be glad to come out of the city to get some food:

therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the
field;
to make us believe that they have broke up the siege, and have deserted the camp, and are gone, when they only lie in ambush:

saying, when they come out of the city;
which they supposed they would do through hunger:

we shall catch them alive;
take them captive at once:

and get into the city;
being open to let them out, and receive them on their return.

2 Kings 7:12 In-Context

10 So they came and called to the porter of the city; and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Aram, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but the horses tied, and the donkeys tied, and the tents as they were.

11 He called the porters; and they told it to the king's household within.

12 The king arose in the night, and said to his servants, I will now show you what the Aram have done to us. They know that we are hungry; therefore are they 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.

13 One of his servants answered, Please let some take five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city (behold, they are as all the multitude of Yisra'el who are left in it; behold, they are as all the multitude of Yisra'el who are consumed); and let us send and see.

14 They took therefore two chariots with horses; and the king sent after the host of the Aram, saying, Go and see.