And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him. (2 Kings 7:17)
At such an hour this was an important responsibility. At the news of the Syrians’ flight there would be only one thought in the minds of all—to get out of the city gate and find food. The situation was not easy to control. In all probability the king at this vital hour also chose to take his position at the city gate, perhaps above it, on the city wall, where he would have a good view both of the city and the Syrian camp.