2 Kings 7:12

12 And he arose in the night, and said to his servants: I tell you what the Syrians have done to us: They know that we suffer great famine, and therefore they are gone out of the camp, and lie hid in the fields, saying: When they come out of the city, we shall take them alive, and then we may 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 to the gate of the city, and told them, saying: We went to the camp of the Syrians, and we found no man there, but horses, and asses tied, and the tents standing.

11 Then the guards of the gate went, and told it within in the king’s palace.

12 And he arose in the night, and said to his servants: I tell you what the Syrians have done to us: They know that we suffer great famine, and therefore they are gone out of the camp, and lie hid in the fields, saying: When they come out of the city, we shall take them alive, and then we may get into the city.

13 And one of his servants answered: Let us take the five horses that are remaining in the city (because there are no more in the whole multitude of Israel, for the rest are consumed), and let us send and see.

14 They brought therefore two horses, and the king sent into the camp of the Syrians, saying: Go, and see.