KJV ORIGINAL
Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
So now, make a deal with my master, the king of Assyria. I'll give you two thousand horses if you can even find enough riders to put on them.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The Assyrian commander is mocking Judah's military weakness by sarcastically offering horses they don't have soldiers to ride.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem around 701 BC, where the Rabshakeh (Assyrian field commander) is taunting King Hezekiah and the people of Judah. The Assyrians were known for their powerful military, including cavalry units, and they're highlighting how weak Judah's army had become. This psychological warfare was meant to demoralize the defenders before an actual attack.
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