Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 7:14
They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.
14. two chariot horses ] R.V. two chariots with horses. Each chariot had its pair of horses, so that there were four horses, and probably two or three people in each chariot. If anything happened to one chariot, the other might come to the rescue, or, at all events, have a chance of escaping to the city.
after the host of the Syrians ] The spies were not content with searching the camp. For the king’s misgivings had no doubt communicated themselves to the messengers. So they went on the way where scattered property of all kinds shewed that the Syrians had taken their flight.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Two chariot horses – Translate, two horse-chariots. They dispatched i. e. two war-chariots, with their proper complement of horses and men, to see whether the retreat was a reality or only a feint. The horses sent would be four or six, since chariots were drawn by either two or three horses.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 14. They took – two chariot horses] They had at first intended to send five; probably they found on examination that only two were effective. But if they sent two chariots, each would have two horses, and probably a single horse for crossing the country.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Two chariot horses, or, two chariots of horses; or rather, two chariot horses, as divers render the words, i.e. horses which belonged to the kings chariots. For single horses seem much more proper for this service than chariots and horses. And whereas it was moved by the kings servant, that all the five horses should be sent, it seems it was thought by the king and others that two were sufficient for that purpose.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
They took therefore two chariot horses,…. Not five, but two only, and those the best, that drew in the king’s chariot perhaps, and so were better fed, and fitter for this expedition:
and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, go and see; whether they are fled or not.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(14) Two chariot horses.Literally, two chariots (of) horses, i.e., teams for two chariots, or two pairs of horses. The chariots and their drivers are implied, not mentioned. Two chariots were sent, so that if attacked they might make a better resistance; or perhaps in order that, if one were captured by the enemy, the other might escape with the news.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. Two chariot horses Literally, two chariot of horses; that is, two span of horses; horses enough to accompany two chariots. Instead of five, as the servants proposed, the king sent four.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 7:14 They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.
Ver. 14. Two chariot horses. ] With their riders.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Reciprocal: 2Ki 9:17 – Take an horseman
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 7:14-16. They took therefore two chariot horses It is probable the king would venture no more than two horsemen, whom he thought sufficient: and these took two of his own horses to make the discovery. They went after them unto Jordan Finding the camp empty, as the lepers had related, they followed them as far as this river. All the way was full of garments, &c., cast away in their haste Hebrew, , bechaphezam, in their fear, trepidation, or consternation, wherewith God had struck them. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, &c.
They found such store of provisions in the tents of the Syrians, that it made this sudden change in the price of corn, according to Elishas prediction.