2 Kings 7:15

And they went after them unto Jordan: and, lo, all the way [was] full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king.

And they went {H3212} after {H310} them unto Jordan {H3383}: and, lo, all the way {H1870} was full {H4392} of garments {H899} and vessels {H3627}, which the Syrians {H758} had cast away {H7993} in their haste {H2648}. And the messengers {H4397} returned {H7725}, and told {H5046} the king {H4428}.

They went after them all the way to the Yarden, and found the entire distance strewn with clothing and other articles Aram had thrown away in their haste. The messengers returned and told the king.

And they tracked them as far as the Jordan, and indeed, the whole way was littered with the clothing and equipment the Arameans had thrown off in haste. So the scouts returned and told the king.

And they went after them unto the Jordan: and, lo, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king.

Commentary

2 Kings 7:15 vividly describes the aftermath of God's miraculous intervention, confirming the complete and hasty retreat of the Syrian army from besieged Samaria. This verse marks a crucial point in the narrative where the initial reports of the abandoned camp are validated by royal messengers.

Context

This verse follows a period of severe famine in Samaria, where the city was under a suffocating siege by the Aramean (Syrian) army. The situation was so dire that people resorted to cannibalism (2 Kings 6:29). Against this backdrop of despair, the prophet Elisha boldly declared that within 24 hours, food would be plentiful and cheap in the city (2 Kings 7:1). The miraculous fulfillment began when four lepers, desperate for food, ventured into the Syrian camp and found it deserted. The Lord had caused the Syrians to hear a terrifying sound of chariots and horses, making them believe the king of Israel had hired the Hittite and Egyptian armies against them, leading to their panicked flight (2 Kings 7:6-7). Upon hearing the lepers' report, King Jehoram was initially suspicious, fearing a trap, but sent scouts to verify the story. Verse 15 details the findings of these scouts, confirming the scale of the Syrian retreat.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Deliverance: The scene of abandoned goods underscores the magnitude of God's supernatural intervention. He didn't just cause them to flee; He caused such terror that they left behind everything, ensuring Samaria's immediate relief and provision. This highlights God's power to deliver His people from overwhelming odds and bring about miraculous provision.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse serves as a powerful confirmation of Elisha's prophecy. The abundance promised was not just food, but also the spoils of war that provided the means for the city to recover from its extreme deprivation. The king's messengers' report validated the incredible news, leading to the full opening of the city gates for the people to gather the provisions (2 Kings 7:16).
  • Panic and Haste: The description of the road "full of garments and vessels" paints a vivid picture of the Syrian army's disorderly and utterly panicked retreat. Valuables, which would normally be carefully guarded, were discarded as their only priority was escape. This illustrates the profound terror inflicted by God's unseen hand that led to the Syrian flight.
  • Abundance from Scarcity: In a striking reversal, the very means of the enemy's wealth became the source of relief for the besieged. The abandoned "garments and vessels" (likely referring to clothing, utensils, and other camp equipment) were part of the vast plunder that ended the famine and brought about unexpected plenty.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "cast away in their haste" effectively conveys the extreme urgency and panic of the Syrian retreat. The Hebrew word for "haste" (ื—ึดืคึธึผื–ื•ึนืŸ - chippazon) implies a sudden, urgent flight, reinforcing the idea that they fled without thought for their possessions, only for their lives. The "garments and vessels" (ื›ึฐึผืœึดื™ื - kelim) likely refer to general camp equipment, including clothing, tools, and valuable household items, all abandoned due to the overwhelming fear instilled by God.

Practical Application

2 Kings 7:15 reminds us that God is fully capable of turning the most desperate situations around, often in unexpected ways. When faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, this passage encourages us to trust in God's sovereign power and His promises. Just as the abandoned Syrian goods became a source of salvation for Samaria, God can use seemingly negative circumstances to bring about His purposes and provide for His people. It also highlights the importance of discerning and trusting God's word, even when circumstances seem to contradict it, just as the king's messengers ultimately confirmed the miraculous reality of God's deliverance.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 24:16 (2 votes)

    Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

  • Matthew 24:18 (2 votes)

    Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

  • Isaiah 31:7 (2 votes)

    For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you [for] a sin.

  • Isaiah 10:3 (2 votes)

    And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation [which] shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

  • Isaiah 22:24 (2 votes)

    And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.

  • Job 2:4 (2 votes)

    And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

  • Esther 1:7 (2 votes)

    And they gave [them] drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.