So the soldiers of Aram had run away at sunset. They had left their tents and horses and donkeys behind. They had left the camp just as it was. And they had run for their lives.The men who had a skin disease arrived at the edge of the camp. They entered one of the tents. They ate and drank. Then they took silver, gold and clothes. They went off and hid them. They returned and entered another tent. They took some things from it and hid them also.But then they said to one another,“ What we’re doing isn’t right. This is a day of good news. And we’re keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until sunrise, we’ll be punished. Let’s go at once. Let’s report this to the royal palace.”So they went. They called out to the people who were guarding the city gates. They told them,“ We went into Aram’s army camp. No one was there. We didn’t hear anyone. The horses and donkeys were still tied up. The tents were left just as they were.”The people who guarded the gates shouted the news. It was reported inside the palace.The king of Israel got up in the night. He spoke to his officers. He said,“ I’ll tell you what the men of Aram have done to us. They know we are very hungry. So they have left the camp to hide in the countryside. They are thinking,‘ We are sure they’ll come out. Then we’ll take them alive. And we’ll get into the city.’ ”One of the king’s officers said,“ A few horses are still left in the city. Have some men get five of them. Those men won’t be any worse off than all the other Israelites who are left here. In fact, all of us will soon be dead anyway. So let’s send the men to find out what happened.”The men chose two chariots and their horses. The king sent them out to look for Aram’s army. He commanded the drivers,“ Go and find out what has happened.”They followed the trail of Aram’s soldiers all the way to the Jordan River. They found clothes and supplies all along the road. The soldiers had thrown them down when they ran away. So the men who were sent out returned. They reported to the king what they had seen.Then the people went out of the city. They took everything of value from Aram’s army camp. So 12 pounds of the finest flour sold for less than half of an ounce of silver. And 20 pounds of barley sold for the same price. That’s exactly what the Lord had said would happen.
“ But everyone who destroys you will be destroyed. All your enemies will be forced to leave their countries. Those who steal from you will be stolen from. I will take the belongings of those who take things from you.
