2 Kings 7:10

10 So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying , We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied , and asses tied , and the tents as they were.

2 Kings 7:10 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 7:10

So they came and called to the porter of the city
The chief of those that had the care of the gate of it; for there were more than one, as follows:

and they told them;
the porter, and the watchmen with him:

we came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man
there, neither voice of man;
not one to be seen or heard:

but horses tied, and asses tied;
to their mangers; the latter, as well as the former, were used for war, not only to carry burdens, but to fight upon, as Aelianus ^F1 relates of some people; and especially when there was a want of horses, as Strabo ^F2; and both observe that this creature was sacrificed to Mars:

and the tents as they were;
none of them struck, nor anything taken out of them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 De Animal. l. 12. c. 34.
F2 Geograph. l. 15. p. 500.

2 Kings 7:10 In-Context

8 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink , and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again , and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.

9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace : if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come , that we may go and tell the king's household.

10 So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying , We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied , and asses tied , and the tents as they were.

11 And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within.

12 And the king arose in the night, and said unto his servants, I will now shew you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we be hungry; therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying , When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city.