Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 7
The soldiers who attacked an ancient city, had to surround the city, often for several months. They had to watch constantly, both by day and by night. They were watching so that nobody could either enter or leave the city. If people entered, they could take in supplies of food. Then, it would take a much longer time before it would be possible to take control of the city.
However, it was even more dangerous to allow people to leave the city. They might be arranging for another army to come and to attack the army that was surrounding the city. When the inhabitants of the city became desperate, they would pay a very great price for another army to help them.
The army of Aram believed that the king of Israel had managed to pay two armies to attack them. The people called Hittites were among the original inhabitants of Israel’s land. Egypt was one of the greatest nations in the ancient world, with a very powerful army. Aram’s soldiers believed that they would suffer a terrible defeat against those armies. They suddenly became so afraid that they ran away at once. They did not even dare to collect their possessions first.
However, those armies were not attacking them. Rather, God had caused them to hear the sound of a great army, with chariots (military vehicles) and horses. That may be a reference to God’s army of angels, his special servants from heaven. Elisha and his servant saw that army in 2 Kings 6:17. In 2 Samuel 5:22-25, David and his men heard that army.
Next part: A camp without soldiers (2 Kings 7:8)
Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 1000+ page course book.
© 2025, Keith Simons.