Definition: And the king arose in the night, and said unto his servants, I will now shew you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we [be] hungry; therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 7:12. It’s a really important passage about a serious threat to the king’s kingdom. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Core Story: A Syrian Invasion: The story begins with the Syrians, a neighboring people, attacking the kingdom. They are clearly invading and causing trouble. King’s Observation: The king, feeling threatened, decides to investigate what's happening. He sends his servants to see what’s going on. The Syrians’ Actions: The Syrian soldiers discover that the people in the kingdom – specifically, the Israelites – are starving. They're so hungry they’ve left the camp and gone to hide in the fields. A Plan to Trap Them: They then tell the king that if the Israelites do leave the city, they will come back and catch them alive and take them into the city. Putting it All Together – A Simple Explanation: The king is worried because the Syrians are attacking and taking food from his people. He sees that the Syrians are deliberately leaving the camp to hide, hoping to ambush and capture the Israelites. He’s essentially saying, "If you leave the city, we'll come for you!" Key Themes & Significance: Threat of War: This verse is a warning about war and potential conflict. It highlights a hostile force trying to destabilize the kingdom. Justice & Protection: The king’s concern shows that he understands his people are vulnerable and needs protection. The Importance of Vigilance: It emphasizes the need for vigilance and preparedness – to be aware of potential threats before they escalate into full-blown war. In short, it's a story about a king recognizing a dangerous situation and taking steps to protect his people from an invading force. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Explore the significance of this verse in the broader biblical narrative?