King Jehoram and the Plundering of Aramean Camp
King Jehoram, also known as Joram, was a significant figure in the history of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, though the biblical narrative distinguishes between two kings of this name. Jehoram of Israel, the son of Ahab and Jezebel, reigned in Samaria and is primarily known for his military campaigns and interactions with the prophet Elisha [1, 2]. Jehoram of Judah, son of Jehoshaphat, was known for his wickedness, including the slaughter of his own brothers and other officials [3]. This discussion focuses on Jehoram of Israel and the events surrounding the plundering of the Aramean camp.
Jehoram of Israel ascended to the throne in Samaria and, early in his reign, engaged in military actions. One notable campaign involved an alliance with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and the king of Edom, against Moab. This expedition saw Jehoram levy an army from his own subjects and seek the support of Jehoshaphat, who readily agreed to join the alliance [6, 8]. The purpose of this campaign was to suppress a Moabite rebellion against Israelite rule [6].
The relationship between Israel and the Arameans (Syrians) during Jehoram's reign was often contentious, marked by frequent incursions by Aramean raiders into Israelite territory [7]. These conflicts sometimes escalated into full-scale sieges, such as the one described in 2 Kings 6-7, where the Aramean army besieged Samaria, leading to severe famine within the city [5].
The event of the plundering of the Aramean camp is detailed in 2 Kings 7. During the siege of Samaria, the situation inside the city became desperate, with food scarcity reaching extreme levels. The prophet Elisha, however, delivered a prophecy that by the next day, food would be abundant and cheap at the gate of Samaria [5]. This prophecy was met with skepticism by one of Jehoram's officers.
The fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy began with four lepers who, desperate for food, decided to surrender to the Aramean camp. Upon arriving, they found the camp deserted. The Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses, leading them to believe that the king of Israel had hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack them. In their panic, the Arameans fled, abandoning their tents, horses, donkeys, and provisions [5].
The lepers discovered the abandoned camp and began to eat and drink, and then to hide silver, gold, and clothing. Realizing the gravity of their discovery and their duty to inform the city, they returned to Samaria and reported what they had found to the city gates. The watchmen then relayed the news to the king's guards, who in turn informed King Jehoram [4].
Initially, King Jehoram suspected a trap, believing the Arameans had merely hidden themselves to ambush the Israelites if they came out of the city. He expressed his suspicion to his friends and army captains [4]. However, one of his servants suggested sending out scouts to verify the report. They took two chariots with horses and followed the trail of the fleeing Arameans, finding the road littered with abandoned garments and equipment, confirming the Arameans' hasty escape [5].
Upon receiving confirmation, the people of Samaria went out and plundered the Aramean camp. This event led to an immediate and dramatic drop in food prices, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy. The abundance of food from the plundered camp alleviated the severe famine that had gripped Samaria [5]. The officer who had doubted Elisha's prophecy was trampled to death at the city gate during the rush to plunder the camp, as Elisha had foretold [5].
This narrative highlights several theological and historical points. It demonstrates the power of prophetic word through Elisha, the direct intervention of God in military affairs, and the consequences of both faith and doubt. The plundering of the Aramean camp was not a result of Israelite military prowess but a divine act that brought deliverance to a besieged city. The event also underscores the precarious political and military situation of Israel during Jehoram's reign, constantly threatened by powerful neighbors like Aram.
Sources
- 2 Kings “King Jehoram went out of Samaria at that time, and mustered all Israel. -- 2 Kings 3:6”
- II Kings “II Kings 3:6 (BSB) — So at that time King Jehoram set out from Samaria and mobilized all Israel.”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 5, section 1: . Concerning The Wickedness Of Jehoram King Of Jerusalem; His Defeat And Death. 1. Now Jehoram the king of Jerusalem, for we have said before that he had the same name with the king of Israel, as soon as he had taken the government upon him, betook himself to the slaughter of his brethren, and his father's friends, who were governors under him, and thence made a beginning and a demonstration of his wickedness; nor was he at all better than those kings of Israel who at first transgressed against the laws of their country, and of t”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 4, section 7: they for several times, without the least interruption from any body. So they gathered thereby that the enemies were departed; whereupon they reproached themselves that they did not inform Joram and the citizens of it. So they came to the walls of Samaria, and called aloud to the watchmen, and told them in what state the enemies were, as did these tell the king's guards, by whose means Joram came to know of it; who then sent for his friends, and the captains of his host, and said to them, that he suspected that this departure of ”
- 2 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Kings 7:13: 7:13-17 The trail of abandoned articles confirmed the Arameans’ rush to escape, and the Israelites plundered the Aramean camp. True to Elisha’s prophecy, food supplies were now readily available, and Joram’s doubting officer was knocked down and trampled to death.”
- 2 Kings (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Kings 3:6: Jehoram has no sooner got the sceptre into his hand than he takes the sword into his hand, to reduce Moab. Crowns bring great cares and perils to the heads that wear them; no sooner in honour than in war. Now here we have, I. The concerting of this expedition between Jehoram king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah. Jehoram levied an army (Kg2 3:6), and such an opinion he had of the godly king of Judah that, 1. He courted him to be his confederate: Wilt thou go with me against Moab? And he gained him. Jehoshaphat said, I will go up. I am as thou art, Kg2 3:7. ”
- 2 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Kings 5:2: 5:2-3 During Joram’s reign, strained relations between Israel and the Arameans led to incursions by Aramean raiders into the northern kingdom (see 6:8, 24).”
- 2 Kings (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Kings 3:6: ELISHA PROMISES WATER AND VICTORY OVER MOAB. (2Ki. 3:6-24) King Jehoram . . . numbered Israel--made a levy from his own subjects, and at the same time sought an alliance with Jehoshaphat, which, as on the former occasion with Ahab, was readily promised (Kg1 22:4).”