2 Kings 3:24 - Exposition

And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up. The first rush of the main body would be upon the camp, where they would expect to find the richest spoil. It was near at hand; and the occupants kept themselves concealed in it, expecting the disorderly attack which actually took place. They then "rose up," and fell upon the crowd of assailants, who were off their guard, and expecting nothing less. A confused rout followed. And smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them. Josephus says, "Some of the Moabites were cut to pieces; the others fled, and dispersed themselves over their country." But they went forward, smiting the Moabites even in their country. There are two readings here, ויבו and ויכו . The former is to be preferred, and is to be pointed וַיָּבוֹ (for וַיָּבוֹא , as in 1 Kings 12:12 ). This gives the meaning of the text. The marginal translation follows the Keri וַיַּכוּ , which is (as Keil says) "a bad emendation."