2 Kings 7:7

Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it [was], and fled for their life.

Wherefore they arose {H6965} and fled {H5127} in the twilight {H5399}, and left {H5800} their tents {H168}, and their horses {H5483}, and their asses {H2543}, even the camp {H4264} as it was, and fled {H5127} for their life {H5315}.

So they jumped up and fled in the twilight, leaving their tents, horses, donkeys and the whole camp just as it was, and ran for their lives.

Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives.

Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.

Commentary

2 Kings 7:7 vividly describes the sudden and complete retreat of the Syrian (Aramean) army that had been besieging Samaria. This verse marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, illustrating the immediate and profound effect of God's unseen intervention, turning a desperate situation for Israel into one of miraculous deliverance.

Context

For a considerable time, the city of Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, had been under a severe siege by the Aramean forces. This blockade led to a horrific famine within the city, driving its inhabitants to extreme desperation, including acts of cannibalism (2 Kings 6:29). Amidst this dire crisis, the prophet Elisha boldly declared that by the very next day, food would be plentiful and cheap in Samaria (2 Kings 7:1). The fulfillment of this seemingly impossible prophecy begins with the events of this verse. The Syrians' flight was not due to an attack by Israelite forces, but because "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" (2 Kings 7:6), leading them to believe Israel had hired vast armies from the Hittites and Egyptians.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention and Deliverance: The central theme is God's powerful and supernatural intervention on behalf of His people. Without a single arrow shot by the Israelites, God instilled such terror in the hearts of the enemy that they fled in utter panic, abandoning all their provisions. This highlights God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to deliver His people from overwhelming odds.
  • The Power of Fear and Panic: The verse emphasizes the irrational and overwhelming fear that gripped the Syrian army. They fled "for their life," indicating a primal instinct for survival that overrode any military discipline or strategic thinking. Their haste was so extreme they left behind their entire camp, including valuable supplies and animals.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This dramatic flight directly paves the way for the immediate fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy concerning the end of the famine and the abundance of food in Samaria. The abandoned Syrian camp became the source of the promised provisions, transforming scarcity into immediate plenty.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fled in the twilight" (Hebrew: בַּנֶּשֶׁף, bannéšef) refers to the time between sunset and full darkness. This period would have provided them with some cover for their escape, but also indicates the urgency and disarray of their flight, as they couldn't even wait for full nightfall or proper preparations. Their flight was so immediate and desperate that they literally "fled for their life" (Hebrew: וַיָּנוּסוּ עַל־נַפְשָׁם, vayyānūsū ʿal-nafšām), emphasizing their sole motivation was self-preservation, abandoning everything else.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to work in ways beyond human comprehension. When facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, whether personal struggles, societal crises, or spiritual battles, believers can find encouragement in God's capacity for supernatural deliverance. Just as He caused an entire army to flee with unseen sounds, God can create pathways to freedom and provision where none seem to exist. It encourages trust in His timing and methods, knowing that He can turn situations of despair into moments of miraculous blessing.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 48:4 (5 votes)

    For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

  • Psalms 48:6 (5 votes)

    Fear took hold upon them there, [and] pain, as of a woman in travail.

  • Proverbs 28:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

  • Isaiah 2:20 (2 votes)

    In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made [each one] for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;

  • Proverbs 6:5 (2 votes)

    Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand [of the hunter], and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

  • Numbers 35:11 (2 votes)

    Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.

  • Numbers 35:12 (2 votes)

    And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.