Melachim Bais 7:12

12 And HaMelech arose in the lailah, and said unto his avadim, I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we are starved by famine; therefore are they gone out of the Machaneh to hide themselves in the sadeh, saying, When they come out of the Ir, we shall catch them chayyim (alive), and get into the Ir.

Melachim Bais 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.

Melachim Bais 7:12 In-Context

10 So they came and called unto the Sho’er HaIr (Gatekeeper of the City); and they told them, saying, We came to the Machaneh Aram, and, hinei, there was no ish there, neither voice of adam, but susim tied, and chamor tied, and the ohalim just as they were.

11 And he called the sho’arim (gatekeepers); and they told it to the Bais HaMelech within.

12 And HaMelech arose in the lailah, and said unto his avadim, I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we are starved by famine; therefore are they gone out of the Machaneh to hide themselves in the sadeh, saying, When they come out of the Ir, we shall catch them chayyim (alive), and get into the Ir.

13 And one of his avadim answered and said, Let some of the men take, now, five of the remaining susim left; behold, they will be like kol hamon Yisroel (the whole multitude of Yisroel) that still survives; they are like the kol hamon Yisroel that has perished already. Let us send and find out.

14 They took therefore two chariots of susim; and HaMelech sent after the Machaneh Aram, saying, Go and find out.