And one of his servants answered and said, Let some take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city,(behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are left in it: behold, I say, they are even as all the multitude of the Israelites that are consumed:) and let us send and see.

2 KINGS 7:13KJV
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2 Kings 7:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 7:13 mean?

2 Kings 7:13 shows one of the king’s servants suggesting that they send out a small group with some of the last remaining horses to check what has happened outside the besieged city, since the people left inside are already in desperate straits. The servant reasons that there is little left to lose, so it is worth sending scouts to investigate.

The scene takes place during a siege of Samaria by the Arameans. The city is starving, and the king’s servant is speaking to the king, offering a practical idea: to send a few men with five horses to see if the enemy is really gone, as the prophet Elisha had predicted. The servant points out that the remaining people and horses are already as good as lost, so risking a few to get information is sensible.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 7:13

  • "servants" (עֶבֶד, ʿeved): This word refers to someone serving the king, highlighting that the advice comes from a subordinate, not a royal official or prophet.
  • "take" (לָקַח, laqach): The suggestion is to "take" five horses, showing a careful, limited risk rather than a large expedition.
  • "remain/left" (שָׁאַר, sha'ar): This word appears several times, emphasizing how few resources and people are left in the city, underlining the desperation.
  • "multitude" (הָמוֹן, hamon): Used for both the people remaining and those already lost, this word points to the scale of loss and the small number left.

Why 2 Kings 7:13 matters

  • This verse highlights the dire situation inside Samaria and the practical thinking of the king’s servant, who weighs the risks and sees little left to lose.
  • The repeated use of words for "left" and "multitude" draws attention to how depleted the city’s resources and people have become, making the servant’s suggestion seem reasonable.
  • The verse sets up the action that follows, where the scouts will discover that the Aramean army has indeed fled, confirming Elisha’s prophecy and leading to the city’s deliverance.

Where else these words appear

“consumed” Hebrew H8552 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 47:15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
  • Joshua 5:8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.
  • Isaiah 16:4 Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.

“multitude” Hebrew H1995 · used in 78 verses

  • Genesis 17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
  • Psalms 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
  • Ezekiel 7:14 They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.

“remain” Hebrew H7604 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
  • Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
  • Nehemiah 1:2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

“horses” Hebrew H5483 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 47:17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
  • 2 Kings 18:23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
  • Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?