They took a desperate chance because they understood that remaining stagnant in crisis often leads to defeat.
Then one of his servants said, “Please, let some men take five of the horses which remain, which are left in the city. (Behold, they will be in any case like all the multitude of Israel who are left in it; behold, they will be in any case like all the multitude of Israel who have already perished.) So let us send and see.” (v.13) These words highlight the desperate conditions within the city of Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel located in a region about 42 miles north of Jerusalem. At this time (around the mid-9th century BC), King Jehoram (who ruled from approximately 852 to 841 BC) oversaw a nation that was under extreme distress due to the Aramean siege. The servant’s idea to use the last remaining horses indicates the critical shortage of resources and the people’s willingness to risk everything for potential deliverance.
By saying, “(Behold, they will be in any case like all the multitude of Israel…who have already perished… So let us send and see.)” (v.13), the servant faces the reality that losing the horses to the Arameans would be no worse than being trapped within the city’s dire famine. This sense of peril underscores that often, moments of great crisis drive people to extraordinary steps of faith or courage. In the context of 2 Kings 7, the prophet Elisha (who ministered during the 9th century BC) had already foretold a miraculous deliverance from the siege, echoing God’s ability to save beyond human expectation. This theme of trusting God in dire circumstances resonates throughout Scripture, culminating in the New Testament where Jesus consistently demonstrates compassion and miraculous provision for those who trust Him (see Mark 6:41-44).
In stepping out with limited resources—“(Please, let some men take five of the horses which remain…)” (v.13)—the Israelites unknowingly moved toward the fulfillment of Elisha’s prophetic word. Their action models a willingness to go beyond mere survival, risking everything in hope of deliverance. Faith during adversity ties this verse to the overarching biblical narrative that encourages God’s people to step out, trusting the Lord to provide. Even when all that remains is a small remnant—just as was the case here with a few horses—God can use that to bring about great deliverance.
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2 Kings 7:13 meaning
Then one of his servants said, “Please, let some men take five of the horses which remain, which are left in the city. (Behold, they will be in any case like all the multitude of Israel who are left in it; behold, they will be in any case like all the multitude of Israel who have already perished.) So let us send and see.” (v.13) These words highlight the desperate conditions within the city of Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel located in a region about 42 miles north of Jerusalem. At this time (around the mid-9th century BC), King Jehoram (who ruled from approximately 852 to 841 BC) oversaw a nation that was under extreme distress due to the Aramean siege. The servant’s idea to use the last remaining horses indicates the critical shortage of resources and the people’s willingness to risk everything for potential deliverance.
By saying, “(Behold, they will be in any case like all the multitude of Israel…who have already perished… So let us send and see.)” (v.13), the servant faces the reality that losing the horses to the Arameans would be no worse than being trapped within the city’s dire famine. This sense of peril underscores that often, moments of great crisis drive people to extraordinary steps of faith or courage. In the context of 2 Kings 7, the prophet Elisha (who ministered during the 9th century BC) had already foretold a miraculous deliverance from the siege, echoing God’s ability to save beyond human expectation. This theme of trusting God in dire circumstances resonates throughout Scripture, culminating in the New Testament where Jesus consistently demonstrates compassion and miraculous provision for those who trust Him (see Mark 6:41-44).
In stepping out with limited resources—“(Please, let some men take five of the horses which remain…)” (v.13)—the Israelites unknowingly moved toward the fulfillment of Elisha’s prophetic word. Their action models a willingness to go beyond mere survival, risking everything in hope of deliverance. Faith during adversity ties this verse to the overarching biblical narrative that encourages God’s people to step out, trusting the Lord to provide. Even when all that remains is a small remnant—just as was the case here with a few horses—God can use that to bring about great deliverance.