2 Kings 7:14

KJV

They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.

KJV (with Strong's)

They took {H3947} therefore two {H8147} chariot {H7393} horses {H5483}; and the king {H4428} sent {H7971} after {H310} the host {H4264} of the Syrians {H758}, saying {H559}, Go {H3212} and see {H7200}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So they took two chariots with horses, and the king sent after the army of Aram, saying, "Go, and see."

Berean Standard Bible

Then the scouts took two chariots with horses, and the king sent them after the Aramean army, saying, “Go and see.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 7:14 captures a pivotal moment during the severe Aramean (Syrian) siege of Samaria, where King Jehoram, despite reports of the enemy's miraculous flight, exercises caution by dispatching a reconnaissance team. This act of prudent verification, born from initial skepticism, serves as the critical bridge between the lepers' astonishing discovery of the deserted Syrian camp and the full realization of Elisha's prophecy of abundant provision, preparing the way for the city's deliverance from famine and despair.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The immediate literary context of [2 Kings 7:14](/2_kings/7 "2 Kings 7 - The Siege of Samaria and God's Deliverance") is the dramatic climax of the Syrian siege against Samaria. The preceding chapters detail the city's horrific famine, where conditions deteriorated to the point of cannibalism, as vividly described in [2 Kings 6:24-30](/2_kings/6-24 "2 Kings 6:24-30 - The Horrors of the Siege"). Amidst this despair, the prophet Elisha had boldly prophesied an unimaginable abundance of food within twenty-four hours ([2 Kings 7:1](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha's Prophecy of Abundance")). The miraculous turning point occurred in [2 Kings 7:6-7](/2_kings/7-6 "2 Kings 7:6-7 - The Lord Causes the Syrians to Flee"), where the Lord caused the Syrian army to hear phantom sounds of a vast approaching army, leading them to flee in a panic, abandoning their entire camp. Four starving lepers then stumbled upon this deserted camp, discovering the immense spoils and reporting it to the city gate ([2 Kings 7:8-11](/2_kings/7-8 "2 Kings 7:8-11 - The Lepers' Discovery")). However, King Jehoram, plagued by skepticism and fear, suspected a trap, believing the Syrians had merely hidden themselves to lure out the starving Israelites ([2 Kings 7:12](/2_kings/7-12 "2 Kings 7:12 - King Jehoram's Suspicion")). Verse 14 directly follows the king's decision to send scouts to verify the lepers' incredible report, marking the transition from doubt to confirmation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the ongoing conflict between the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and Aram (Syria), a recurring theme in the books of [1 and 2 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - History of Israel and Judah"). Sieges were common military tactics in the ancient Near East, designed to starve a city into submission. The conditions described in [2 Kings 6](/2_kings/6 "2 Kings 6 - Elisha's Miracles and the Siege")—extreme famine, exorbitant prices for basic food, and even cannibalism—were grim realities of prolonged sieges. "Chariot horses" were highly valued military assets, used for speed and reconnaissance, indicating the importance and urgency of the king's mission. The king's skepticism was culturally understandable; a sudden, unexplained retreat by a besieging army would typically be viewed with extreme suspicion, as feigned retreats were a known military stratagem. The narrative thus reflects the brutal realities of ancient warfare and the strategic thinking of the time, even as it highlights a divine intervention that defies human logic.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "2 Kings - The Divided Kingdom and Prophetic Ministry") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Deliverance and Providence**, demonstrating God's sovereign ability to rescue His people from impossible situations through unexpected means, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy in [2 Kings 7:1](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha's Prophecy of Abundance"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Human Prudence and Verification**. Despite the miraculous nature of the lepers' report, the king's decision to "go and see" illustrates a necessary balance between faith in divine action and human responsibility to verify extraordinary claims, a concept echoed in [Proverbs 14:15](/proverbs/14-15 "Proverbs 14:15 - The Prudent Man"). Thirdly, the narrative explores the theme of **Overcoming Skepticism and Doubt**. The king's initial disbelief ([2 Kings 7:12](/2_kings/7-12 "2 Kings 7:12 - King Jehoram's Suspicion")) necessitates this act of verification, which ultimately leads to the confirmation of God's work and the city's salvation, serving as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness even in the face of human doubt.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chariot Horses (Hebrew, _sûsîm rekhev_):** The term "chariot horses" (סוּסִים רֶכֶב) specifically denotes horses trained and used for pulling chariots, which were essential military vehicles in ancient warfare. These were not ordinary pack animals but swift, powerful, and valuable steeds, indicating that the king was dispatching a high-priority, rapid reconnaissance mission. The choice of these particular horses emphasizes the urgency and the strategic importance of verifying the Syrian retreat.
* **Sent after (Hebrew, _shalach_):** The verb "sent after" (שָׁלַח) implies dispatching with a specific purpose, often involving pursuit or investigation. In this context, it signifies the king's deliberate action to send scouts to ascertain the truth of the lepers' report. It highlights his proactive, albeit cautious, approach to the unprecedented situation.
* **Go and see (Hebrew, _lekhu u-re'u_):** This direct command, "Go and see" (לְכוּ וּרְאוּ), is an imperative that underscores the king's desire for firsthand verification. It reflects his skepticism and prudence, demanding tangible proof before committing the starving populace to what he feared might be a deadly trap. It is a command for empirical observation to confirm a miraculous event.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They took therefore two chariot horses;":** This clause describes the immediate action taken in response to the king's command in the preceding verse ([2 Kings 7:13](/2_kings/7-13 "2 Kings 7:13 - The King's Decision to Send Scouts")). The "they" refers to the king's servants or advisors who were tasked with finding suitable animals for the scouting mission. The selection of "two chariot horses" specifically highlights the urgency, speed, and military nature of the reconnaissance, as these were the fastest and most capable horses available for such a task, underscoring the critical importance of the mission.
* **"and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, ":** This part of the verse specifies the king's direct involvement and the target of the mission. King Jehoram personally dispatched the scouts, indicating his authority and his deep concern for the situation. The phrase "after the host of the Syrians" clearly states the objective: to ascertain the whereabouts and intentions of the enemy army that had supposedly fled. This action is a direct consequence of his initial suspicion and his desire to confirm the lepers' unbelievable report.
* **"Go and see.":** This concise, imperative command encapsulates the entire purpose of the mission. It is a clear directive for the scouts to proceed to the Syrian camp and personally verify the situation. This phrase reveals the king's prudent, yet skeptical, mindset. He requires concrete evidence before he can fully believe the miraculous news and allow his starving people to venture out of the city, fearing it might be a ruse. This command sets the stage for the dramatic discovery that will confirm God's miraculous intervention.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [2 Kings 7:14](/2_kings/7-14 "2 Kings 7:14 - The King Dispatches Scouts") employs several literary devices to enhance its meaning and impact. **Irony** is prominent, as the king, who initially doubted Elisha's prophecy and suspected a trap, is now taking the very steps that will confirm God's miraculous deliverance. His human prudence, born of skepticism, unwittingly becomes the instrument through which divine truth is revealed. There is also an element of **Anticipation** or **Foreshadowing**, as this verse sets the stage for the dramatic discovery of the abandoned Syrian camp and the subsequent fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy, building suspense for the reader. The narrative also employs **Contrast** between the king's cautious, human-level verification and God's unseen, supernatural intervention that caused the mighty Syrian army to flee in terror. This highlights the disparity between human limited understanding and divine omnipotence. Finally, the verse serves as a crucial point of **Narrative Progression**, moving the story from the lepers' astonishing report and the king's doubt towards the inevitable confirmation of God's powerful and unexpected provision.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Kings 7:14](/2_kings/7-14 "2 Kings 7:14 - The King Dispatches Scouts") serves as a powerful illustration of the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While God had already miraculously intervened to cause the Syrian army to flee ([2 Kings 7:6-7](/2_kings/7-6 "2 Kings 7:6-7 - The Lord Causes the Syrians to Flee")), the king's decision to "go and see" demonstrates that human prudence and verification are often necessary steps in realizing and benefiting from God's provision. It highlights that even in the face of the miraculous, God allows for and sometimes requires human action to confirm His work. This verse underscores God's faithfulness to His promises, even when faced with human doubt and fear, and His ability to use ordinary means (scouts on horses) to confirm extraordinary divine acts. It also subtly emphasizes the importance of discerning truth, especially when reports seem too good to be true.

* [Psalm 34:8](/psalms/34-8 "Psalm 34:8 - Taste and See That the Lord Is Good")
* [James 1:6](/james/1-6 "James 1:6 - Ask in Faith, Without Doubting")
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account in [2 Kings 7:14](/2_kings/7-14 "2 Kings 7:14 - The King Dispatches Scouts") offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that while God's power is limitless and His interventions can be sudden and dramatic, He often calls us to exercise wisdom, discernment, and even cautious verification. The king's initial skepticism, while understandable given the dire circumstances, underscores a common human tendency to doubt divine provision when it seems too good to be true or defies logical explanation. Yet, his willingness to "go and see" ultimately led to the confirmation of God's miraculous deliverance. In our own lives, this means balancing radical faith in God's promises with practical wisdom. We are called to trust God implicitly, yet also to steward the resources and discernment He has given us. Sometimes, faith means stepping out boldly; other times, it means carefully examining the evidence, especially when making decisions that impact others. This narrative encourages us to seek confirmation of God's working in our lives, not out of unbelief, but out of a desire to fully grasp and respond to His incredible faithfulness, allowing us to move from doubt to confident action.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you experienced a situation where God's provision seemed too good to be true, leading to initial skepticism?**
* **How do you balance radical faith in God's promises with the need for practical wisdom and discernment in your daily life?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to "go and see" – to verify His work or to take a cautious, investigative step before fully embracing a new reality?**

### FAQ

**Why was King Jehoram so hesitant to believe the lepers' report, even after the desperate situation in Samaria?**

Answer: King Jehoram's hesitation, as seen in [2 Kings 7:12](/2_kings/7-12 "2 Kings 7:12 - King Jehoram's Suspicion"), stemmed from a combination of factors rooted in the extreme desperation of the siege and the common military tactics of the time. Firstly, the famine was so severe that people were resorting to cannibalism ([2 Kings 6:29](/2_kings/6-29 "2 Kings 6:29 - The Horrors of the Siege")), fostering deep distrust and paranoia. News of a sudden, complete retreat by a powerful besieging army would have seemed utterly unbelievable and counter-intuitive. Secondly, feigned retreats were a known military stratagem in the ancient world, designed to lure a starving, desperate enemy out from their defenses into an ambush. The king, fearing such a trap, prudently (though skeptically) sought verification rather than risking the lives of his remaining people. His caution, while lacking faith in Elisha's prophecy ([2 Kings 7:1](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha's Prophecy of Abundance")), was a rational response to the perceived military threat.

**What is the significance of "two chariot horses" being chosen for the scouting mission?**

Answer: The selection of "two chariot horses" for the scouting mission, rather than ordinary beasts of burden or even a larger cavalry unit, is highly significant. "Chariot horses" were specifically bred and trained for speed, endurance, and military maneuverability. They were the fastest and most valuable horses available, indicating the urgency and critical importance of the mission. Sending only two suggests a need for swift, inconspicuous reconnaissance rather than a full military engagement. This choice underscores the king's desire for rapid verification of the situation at the Syrian camp, allowing the scouts to quickly cover the distance, observe the scene, and return with their report, confirming the miraculous fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy ([2 Kings 7:1](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha's Prophecy of Abundance")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The account in [2 Kings 7:14](/2_kings/7-14 "2 Kings 7:14 - The King Dispatches Scouts"), with its emphasis on verification and the confirmation of divine deliverance, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Just as the scouts were sent to confirm the reality of God's unexpected salvation for Samaria, Jesus Christ is the ultimate "Go and see!" sent by God to confirm the reality of His greater salvation for humanity. The skepticism of King Jehoram mirrors humanity's often-limited understanding and doubt concerning God's miraculous plan. Yet, in Christ, God provides undeniable proof of His power over sin, death, and the forces that besiege humanity. The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate "empty camp" discovery, inviting all to "go and see" for themselves that the tomb is empty and that death has been conquered ([Luke 24:1-12](/luke/24-1 "Luke 24:1-12 - The Resurrection Account")). He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), providing spiritual sustenance far greater than the physical food found in the Syrian camp. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus verifies every promise of God, inviting us not to doubt, but to believe ([John 20:27](/john/20-27 "John 20:27 - Jesus Appears to Thomas")). He is the faithful witness, the ultimate confirmation of God's covenant love and His unwavering commitment to deliver His people from their greatest enemy.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.