Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 14:15
They also attacked the tents of the herdsmen and carried off many sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative describes Judah’s military forces executing a raid on nomadic herdsmen after the terror of the LORD had already broken the resistance of Gerar’s cities. The troops then withdraw to Jerusalem with their spoils.
The words — The Hebrew verb הִכּ֑וּ (hi.Ku) literally means “they struck down,” paired with וַ/יִּשְׁבּ֨וּ (va/i.yish.Bu) meaning “and they took captive.” These terms specify the violent seizure of the livestock rather than a mere negotiation or exchange.
The thread — This pattern of seizing flocks and herds after divine intervention appears in Numbers 31:9 and Numbers 31:30 during the Midianite campaign, and again in 1 Samuel 30:20 when David recovers plunder from the Amalekites.
Why it lands — The text records a concrete military action that concludes a campaign, requiring the reader to track how divine terror translates into earthly conquest. It demands attention to the physical consequences of obedience and the logistical reality of ancient warfare.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.
Cross-references
- Numbers 31:9 The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods.
- Numbers 31:30 From the Israelites’ half, take one out of every fifty, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or other animals, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.”
- 1 Samuel 30:20 And he took all the flocks and herds, which his men drove ahead of the other livestock, calling out, “This is David’s plunder!”
- 1 Chronicles 4:41 These who were noted by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. They attacked the Hamites in their dwellings as well as the Meunites who were there, devoting them to destruction even to this day. Then they settled in their place, because there was pasture for their flocks.
- 1 Chronicles 5:21 They seized the livestock of the Hagrites—50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, and 2,000 donkeys. They also took 100,000 captives,