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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Kings 7:3–11. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We are here told,
I.How the siege of Samaria was raised in the evening, at the edge of night (Kg2 7:6, Kg2 7:7), not by might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts, striking terror upon the spirits of the besiegers. Here was not a sword drawn against them, not a drop of blood shed, it was not by thunder or hailstones that they were discomfited, nor were they slain, as Sennacherib's army before Jerusalem, by a destroying angel; but,
1.The Lord made them to hear a noise of chariots and horses. The Syrians that besieged Dothan had their sight imposed upon, Kg2 6:18. These had their hearing imposed upon. For God knows how to work upon every sense, pursuant to his own counsels as he makes the hearing ear and the seeing eye, so he makes the deaf and the blind, Exo 4:11. Whether the noise was really made in the air by the ministry of angels, or whether it was only a sound in their ears, is not certain; which soever it was, it was from God, who both brings the wind out of his treasures, and forms the spirit of man within him. The sight of horses and chariots had encouraged the prophet's servant, Kg2 6:17. The noise of horses and chariots terrified the hosts of Syria. For notices from the invisible world are either very comfortable or very dreadful, according as men are at peace with God or at war with him.
2.Hearing this noise, they concluded the king of Israel had certainly procured assistance from some foreign power: He has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians. There was, for aught we know but one king of Egypt, and what kings there were of the Hittites nobody can imagine; but, as they were imposed upon by that dreadful sound in their ears, so they imposed upon themselves by the interpretation they made of it. Had they supposed the king of Judah to have come with his forces, there would have been more of probability in their apprehensions than to dream of the kings of the Hittites and the Egyptians. If the fancies of any of them raised this spectre, yet their reasons might soon have laid it: how could the king of Israel, who was closely besieged, hold intelligence with those distant princes? What had he to hire them with? It was impossible but some notice would come, before, of the motions of so great a host; but there were they in great fear where no fear was.
3.Hereupon they all fled with incredible precipitation, as for their lives, left their camp as it was: even their horses, that might have hastened their flight, they could not stay to take with them, Kg2 7:7. None of them had so much sense as to send out scouts to discover the supposed enemy, much less courage enough to face the enemy, though fatigued with a long march. The wicked flee when none pursues. God can, when he pleases, dispirit the boldest and most brave, and make the stoutest heart to tremble. Those that will not fear God he can make to fear at the shaking of a leaf.
II.How the Syrians' flight was discovered by four leprous men.
Samaria was delivered, and did not know it. The watchmen on the walls were not aware of the retreat of the enemy, so silently did they steal away. But Providence employed four lepers to be the intelligencers, who had their lodging without the gate, being excluded from the city, as ceremonially unclean: the Jews say they were Gehazi and his three sons; perhaps Gehazi might be one of them, which might cause him to be taken notice of afterwards by the king, Kg2 8:4. See here,
1.How these lepers reasoned themselves into a resolution to make a visit in the night to the camp of the Syrians, Kg2 7:3, Kg2 7:4. They were ready to perish for hunger; none passed through the gate to relieve them. Should they go into the city, there was nothing to be had there, they mist die in the streets; should they sit still, they must pine to death in their cottage. They therefore determine to go over to the enemy, and throw themselves upon their mercy: if they killed them, better die by the sword than by famine, one death than a thousand; but perhaps they would save them alive, as objects of compassion. Common prudence will put us upon that method which may better our condition, but cannot make it worse. The prodigal son resolves to return to his father, whose displeasure he had reason to fear, rather than perish with hunger in the far country. These lepers conclude, "If they kill us, we shall but die;" and happy they who, in another sense, can thus speak of dying. "We shall but die, that is the worst of it, not die and be damned, not be hurt of the second death." According to this resolution, they went, in the beginning of the night, to the camp of the Syrians, and, to their great surprise, found it wholly deserted, not a man to be seen or heard in it, Kg2 7:5. Providence ordered it, that these lepers came as soon as ever the Syrians had fled, for they fled in the twilight, the evening twilight (Kg2 7:7), and in the twilight the lepers came (Kg2 7:5), and so no time was lost.
2.How they reasoned themselves into a resolution to bring tidings of this to the city. They feasted in the first tent they came to (Kg2 7:8) and then began to think of enriching themselves with the plunder; but they corrected themselves (Kg2 7:9): "We do not well to conceal these good tidings from the community we are members of, under colour of being avenged upon them for excluding us from their society; it was the law that did it, not they, and therefore let us bring them the news. Though it awake them from sleep, it will be life from the dead to them." Their own consciences told them that some mischief would befal them if they acted separately, and sought themselves only. Selfish narrow-spirited people cannot expect to prosper; the most comfortable advantage is that which our brethren share with us in. According to this resolution, they returned to the gate, and acquainted the sentinel with what they had discovered (Kg2 7:10), who straightway brought the intelligence to court (Kg2 7:11), and it was not the less acceptable for being first brought by lepers.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
Even though the four lepers are loathsome, if we symbolically recognize in them the fact that they announced goods for the inhabitants of their city, they do no wrong to the symbol but correctly represent the four holy Evangelists. Indeed, we must bear in mind that through their books the grace of our Savior and source of life Jesus Christ was known, and freedom was given to all people according to his divine plan. And so those whose flesh was leprous shone in their interior look with the splendor of their righteousness. In addition, they symbolically represent the first attitude of the apostles in the fact that leprosy had corrupted their skin. But they also represent them in the fact that their interior was adorned with righteous behavior because the old man has been transformed by the coming of the Holy Spirit and renewed. Therefore they have clothed themselves with the garment shining with the colors of heaven and have been sent to show the work of the hands of God.
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Summary
Second Kings 7:6 describes a miraculous and decisive divine intervention during the severe Aramean siege of Samaria. The Lord supernaturally caused the besieging army to hear the terrifying sounds of an immense, approaching military force. This auditory illusion, entirely orchestrated by God, led the Syrians to believe that the king of Israel had hired formidable allies—the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians—to attack them. Overwhelmed by this perceived threat, they immediately fled in panic, abandoning their camp and thus fulfilling the prophet Elisha's prophecy of imminent deliverance and abundant provision for the beleaguered city.
Context
Literary Context
This pivotal verse stands as the divine explanation for the sudden and inexplicable lifting of the Aramean siege on Samaria, a narrative that began with the city's desperate plight in 2 Kings 6:24. The preceding verses vividly portray the horrific famine and cannibalism within Samaria, highlighting the extreme suffering that prompted the king of Israel's despair and anger (2 Kings 6:25-30). Amidst this profound despair, the prophet Elisha boldly prophesied an astonishing reversal: abundant food would be available by the very next day (2 Kings 7:1). The immediate context of 2 Kings 7:3-5 sets the scene for discovery, as four starving lepers, venturing outside the city gates, find the Aramean camp completely deserted, replete with provisions. Verse 6 then reveals the unseen hand of God, providing the supernatural reason for this miraculous abandonment and confirming the Lord's faithfulness to His prophetic word.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Arameans (Syrians), with their capital in Damascus, were a formidable and recurring adversary to the Northern Kingdom of Israel throughout much of its history, frequently engaging in military conflicts and sieges. Sieges were common and brutal military tactics in the ancient Near East, designed to starve a city into submission, often leading to extreme suffering, famine, and disease, as evidenced in the preceding verses. The mention of the "kings of the Hittites" and "kings of the Egyptians" reflects the complex geopolitical landscape of the period. While the Hittite empire had largely dissolved centuries prior, "Hittites" could refer to powerful Neo-Hittite city-states in the north or even serve as a generic term for formidable northern peoples. Egypt, a perennial military and political power to Israel's southwest, was a well-known force. The Syrians' immediate assumption that Israel had hired such geographically distant and powerful allies underscores their deep-seated fear of a combined, overwhelming force, a fear that God masterfully exploited to secure Israel's deliverance.
Key Themes
The central theme in 2 Kings 7 and particularly in this verse is Divine Intervention and Sovereignty. God's active role is explicitly stated: "For the Lord had made..." This emphasizes His absolute control over nations, armies, and even the perceptions of human beings. Another significant theme is Deliverance through Unconventional Means. God does not rely on Israel's military might or human strategy; instead, He employs a unique form of Psychological Warfare, using an auditory illusion to sow panic and confusion among the enemy. This demonstrates His ability to achieve His purposes without human effort, often in surprising and unexpected ways that highlight His omnipotence. The narrative also powerfully illustrates God's Faithfulness to His Promises, as Elisha's prophecy of abundance, initially met with skepticism by the king's officer in 2 Kings 7:2, is miraculously fulfilled through this divine act, proving that God's word never returns void.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
The Hebrew word קוֹל (qôwl) is a versatile term meaning "voice," "sound," "noise," or even "thunder." In this context, its repetition ("noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, [even] the noise of a great host") powerfully emphasizes the overwhelming auditory experience God created for the Syrians. It was not a visual manifestation but a purely aural one, designed to be terrifyingly convincing and to suggest an immense, unseen force. The Syrians heard, but did not see, which amplified their fear and the perceived size of the threat, making their panic understandable.
The Hebrew word חַיִל (chayil) refers to a "force," "army," "might," or "valor." The phrase "noise of a great host" (קוֹל מַחֲנֶה גָּדוֹל, qôwl machăneh gâdôwl) conveys the impression of an extraordinarily large and powerful military force. This perception of an immense, formidable army was crucial to inducing the immediate and panicked flight of the Arameans, making their retreat seem rational from their terrified perspective, as they believed they were facing an insurmountable foe.
The Hebrew verb שָׂכַר (sâkar) means "to hire," "to rent," or "to pay wages." The Syrians' conclusion, "the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians," reveals their interpretation of the "noise." They understood that Israel, being militarily weak and besieged, could not generate such a force on its own. Therefore, they logically (from their limited, human perspective) concluded that Israel must have secured powerful mercenary allies, a common practice in ancient warfare, to come against them. This highlights the human attempt to rationalize a supernatural event through conventional military and political understanding.
Verse Breakdown
"For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, [even] the noise of a great host:"
This opening clause unequivocally attributes the miraculous event to divine agency. It was not a natural phenomenon, nor was it a human deception; it was God's direct, supernatural intervention. The repetition of "noise" and the specific mention of "chariots" and "horses"—the primary instruments of ancient warfare—created a vivid and terrifying auditory hallucination for the Aramean army, suggesting an overwhelming military presence. The addition of "even the noise of a great host" further emphasizes the perceived immense scale of the approaching force, designed to instill maximum terror and cause immediate flight.
"and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us."
This second clause reveals the immediate and panicked interpretation of the Syrians. Unable to comprehend a supernatural cause, they rationalized the terrifying sounds by concluding that the desperate king of Israel had managed to secure mercenary assistance from two of the most powerful and feared entities in the ancient Near East: the Hittites (representing formidable northern power) and the Egyptians (representing significant southern power). This perceived alliance, though entirely false, was so overwhelming in their minds that it instantly triggered their decision to flee, demonstrating the profound psychological impact of God's unseen and unheard work.
Literary Devices
The passage masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of divine deliverance. Divine Irony is profoundly evident, as God uses an auditory illusion—a mere sound—to dismantle a formidable army that had brought a powerful city to its knees through starvation. The Syrians, who had intended to starve Israel, are themselves driven by fear to abandon their vast provisions, which then become the means of Israel's miraculous deliverance. Anthropomorphism is present in the phrase "the Lord had made... to hear," attributing a human-like action (causing someone to hear) to God, emphasizing His direct and active involvement in human affairs. The description of the "noise of a great host" borders on Hyperbole from the perspective of the Syrians, as the perceived size of the army was far greater than any real force. This exaggerated perception was precisely what God intended to induce panic and ensure their hasty retreat. Furthermore, the narrative serves as a powerful instance of Foreshadowing, as this divine intervention sets the stage for the miraculous fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy of abundance in the verses that immediately follow.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This passage profoundly illustrates God's sovereign power and His willingness to intervene supernaturally on behalf of His people, often in ways that defy human expectation or military logic. It underscores that God does not require human strength, conventional military means, or even visible action to achieve His purposes; His mere presence or a subtle act of providence can turn the tide of history. The deliverance of Samaria through an auditory illusion emphasizes that God fights battles in ways unseen and unheard by the enemy, manipulating their perceptions and fears to bring about His desired outcome. This divine strategy serves as a powerful reminder that true security and victory come from trusting in God's unseen hand rather than relying on human might or strategic brilliance.
Reflection and Application
The account in 2 Kings 7:6 offers profound comfort and challenge to believers facing overwhelming circumstances. It reminds us that God is not limited by our resources, our perceived weakness, or the strength of our adversaries. When we are at our most desperate, seemingly trapped by insurmountable odds, God is capable of working in ways we cannot see or imagine, turning the tide with a simple "noise" or an unexpected turn of events. This narrative calls us to cultivate a radical trust in God's sovereignty, believing that He is actively at work, even when all evidence suggests otherwise. It encourages us to pray with boldness and hope, knowing that our God is the God of the impossible, who can deliver us from famine, fear, and foes, often without us lifting a finger. Our role is to wait, trust, and watch for His miraculous deliverance, knowing that He fights our battles in ways we cannot fathom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How did God make the Syrians hear the noise?
The text states simply, "For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise." The Bible does not provide a detailed explanation of the precise mechanism, emphasizing the miraculous and supernatural nature of the event. It was not a natural phenomenon or a human trick, but a direct, divine act. God, as the Creator and Sustainer of all things, has the power to manipulate reality, including human perception, to achieve His purposes. This could have been through an angelic host, a direct auditory hallucination implanted in their minds, or a physical manifestation of sound waves that were not tied to any visible source. The focus is on who caused it (the Lord) and what its effect was (panic and flight), rather than the scientific "how." This divine intervention mirrors other instances in Scripture where God directly affects the senses or minds of people, such as the blinding of the men of Sodom in Genesis 19:11 or the confusion of the Egyptian army at the Red Sea in Exodus 14:24.
Why did the Syrians think Israel had hired the Hittites and Egyptians?
The Syrians' conclusion, that Israel had hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians, was a logical (though incorrect) deduction based on their understanding of ancient Near Eastern geopolitics and Israel's current desperate state. They knew Israel was weak and besieged, incapable of generating such a massive army on its own. Therefore, the only plausible explanation for the terrifying sounds of a "great host" was that Israel had secured powerful mercenary allies. The Hittites (or Neo-Hittite city-states) represented formidable power to the north, and Egypt was a long-standing regional superpower to the south. Hiring foreign armies was a common practice in ancient warfare (2 Samuel 10:6 provides a historical example). Their fear and panic, combined with their inability to comprehend a supernatural cause, led them to grasp at the most rational, albeit false, explanation available to them, prompting their immediate and hasty retreat.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The miraculous deliverance of Samaria in 2 Kings 7:6, orchestrated by God's unseen hand, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and decisive victory of Jesus Christ over the forces of sin, death, and the devil. Just as God caused the Arameans to flee through a terrifying, unseen "noise," Christ, through His crucifixion and resurrection, disarmed and triumphed over the spiritual powers of darkness, making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15). The "great host" that terrified the Syrians finds its ultimate spiritual parallel in the overwhelming power of God unleashed through Christ, conquering the spiritual enemies that held humanity captive. Jesus, the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, did not hire human armies or engage in physical warfare; rather, He laid down His life, and through that ultimate sacrifice, He "destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery" (Hebrews 2:14-15). The panic and flight of the Syrians prefigure the ultimate defeat of Satan and his dominion, a victory secured not by human might, but by the sovereign, redemptive work of Christ, who will one day return as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, leading the armies of heaven to final triumph (Revelation 19:11-16).