2 Kings 7:6

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: 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.

For the Lord {H136} had made the host {H4264} of the Syrians {H758} to hear {H8085} a noise {H6963} of chariots {H7393}, and a noise {H6963} of horses {H5483}, even the noise {H6963} of a great {H1419} host {H2428}: and they said {H559} one {H376} to another {H251}, Lo, the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} hath hired {H7936} against us the kings {H4428} of the Hittites {H2850}, and the kings {H4428} of the Egyptians {H4714}, to come {H935} upon us.

For ADONAI had caused the army of Aram to hear the sound of chariots and horses; it sounded like a huge army; and they said to each other, "The king of Isra'el must have hired the kings of the Hitti and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us."

For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, β€œLook, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.”

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: 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.

Commentary

2 Kings 7:6 describes a pivotal moment during the severe siege of Samaria by the Aramean (Syrian) army, revealing God's miraculous intervention to save His people.

Context

The city of Samaria, the capital of Israel, was enduring a devastating siege, leading to extreme famine and desperation, as vividly described in 2 Kings 6:24-29. Amidst this dire situation, the prophet Elisha had boldly declared that by the next day, there would be abundant food in Samaria, a prophecy met with skepticism by a royal officer (2 Kings 7:1). This verse details the divine strategy God employed to fulfill Elisha's word, turning the tide of the war without a single Israelite soldier lifting a sword.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention: The verse explicitly states, "For the Lord had made..." This highlights God's direct and supernatural involvement in human affairs. He didn't just influence events; He actively caused the Syrians to hear a specific sound.
  • Psychological Warfare: God used an auditory illusion to create panic and confusion among the enemy. The "noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, [even] the noise of a great host" was entirely a divine construct, designed to instill fear and cause the Syrian army to flee.
  • Fear and Flight: The Syrians' immediate conclusion was that Israel's king had hired powerful allies – the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians – to attack them. This perceived threat, though entirely false, was so overwhelming that it led them to abandon their camp in haste, fulfilling the prophecy of deliverance. This echoes God's ability to instill panic in enemies, as seen in instances like the confusion of the Egyptians at the Red Sea.
  • God's Sovereignty: This passage powerfully demonstrates God's absolute control over nations, armies, and even the perceptions of men. He can deliver His people not just through military might, but through subtle, yet profound, acts of providence.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "noise" here is qol (Χ§Χ•Χœ), which can mean sound, voice, or thunder. In this context, it emphasizes the auditory nature of God's deception. The Syrians didn't see an army; they *heard* one, and the sound was so convincing it led them to believe a massive, allied force was approaching, leading to their swift retreat.

Practical Application

2 Kings 7:6 offers profound reassurance that God is capable of delivering His people from seemingly insurmountable odds. When facing overwhelming challenges, whether personal struggles or national crises, this verse reminds us:

  • Trust in God's Unseen Work: Often, God works behind the scenes, in ways we cannot perceive or anticipate. Our role is to trust His sovereignty and His promises, even when circumstances seem hopeless.
  • God Fights Our Battles: Like the people of Israel who did not have to fight, we are reminded that sometimes the battle is not ours, but God's. He can use unexpected means to achieve His purposes.
  • Hope in Desperation: This account provides a powerful message of hope for those in desperate situations. God can turn famine into abundance, despair into deliverance, often through miraculous and surprising interventions.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 5:24

    And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

  • Isaiah 31:1

    ΒΆ Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are] many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

  • 1 Kings 10:29

    And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred [shekels] of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring [them] out by their means.

  • Revelation 9:9

    And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings [was] as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

  • Job 15:21

    A dreadful sound [is] in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.

  • Revelation 6:15

    And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

  • Revelation 6:16

    And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
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