מלכים ב, פרק כ״ה, פסוק ה׳

The final moments of the King of Judah's escape end in a sudden capture by the enemy army. According to ancient tradition, the king attempted to flee through a cave that extended all the way to the plains of Jericho. Above ground, a deer happened to run across the roof of this very cave. The Chaldean soldiers gave chase to the animal, a pursuit that led them directly to the cave's exit. Just as the king emerged from hiding, the soldiers unexpectedly encountered him and took him prisoner [מצודת דוד, חומת אנך].

During the escape, the king was accompanied by a military unit acting as his guard. These soldiers were traveling light and were capable of moving much faster than the king and his family [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Yet, the moment the Chaldean forces discovered the king, his protection vanished. The soldiers scattered in every direction [מצודת ציון], abandoning him entirely and leaving him alone to face his enemies [ביאור שטיינזלץ].