For the LORD had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
For the LORD had caused the Syrian army to hear the sound of chariots and horses—the noise of a great army. They said to each other, 'Look! The king of Israel has hired the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to attack us.'
God caused the Syrian army to hear phantom sounds of a massive approaching army, making them think Israel had called in powerful allies to fight them.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred during the siege of Samaria when the Syrian army had surrounded Israel's capital, causing severe famine inside the city. The Hittites were a powerful ancient people from modern-day Turkey, while Egypt was a major military power to the south. The Syrians' fear of these two nations shows how formidable they were considered as military allies.
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