The phrase translated “give pledges,” or “hostages” (margin) may perhaps be best understood as meaning “make an agreement.” If you will “bind yourself to find the riders” (i. e., trained horsemen), we will “bind ourselves to furnish the horses.” The suggestion implied that in all Judaea there were not 2000 men accustomed to serve as cavalry.
Related Commentaries of 2 Kings 18:23
2 Kings 18:23
23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledgesj to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.