Relying on a foreign power for military strength often proves to be a broken reed and a deeply humiliating endeavor. The political journey to secure an alliance with Egypt does not bring salvation; instead, it drags the people into profound disappointment. The messengers travel to another nation, seeking to lean on them and act for their sake [רד״ק, מצודת ציון, רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Yet, they quickly discover that this foreign power will provide absolutely no real support.
The primary approach among commentators is that those who seek this alliance are ultimately left ashamed and disgraced by its useless results [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. This humiliation manifests in different ways. Some suggest that onlookers mock the messengers for undertaking such a futile journey [אבן עזרא]. Others explain that the messengers bring the shame upon themselves by willingly agreeing to be subjugated to foreign masters while gaining nothing in return [רש״י, מלבי״ם]. Another perspective views the outcome not just as shameful, but as fundamentally rotten and spoiled. According to this view, when the messengers arrive in Egypt, they do not find a mighty ally. Instead, they discover a corrupt, decaying nation paralyzed by the fear of its own enemies and entirely incapable of providing salvation. This foul reality is compared to the Nile River when it stinks and spoils, serving as a metaphor for Egypt's degraded state [שד״ל]. Ultimately, the decision to rely on Egypt is both a shameful act and a foul, rotting endeavor [ביאור שטיינזלץ].
The failure of this alliance is absolute. The foreign nation fails to provide emergency rescue from distress, nor does it offer any other general benefit or utility [מלבי״ם]. The journey itself brings no salvation at all, yielding only embarrassment [מצודת דוד].
As a result of this failed mission, the people suffer a dual blow of humiliation. First, they experience a deep, private sense of internal shame. However, this is compounded by a public disgrace consisting of insults, mockery, and external degradation from others. This outward humiliation is considered a far more severe and painful blow than the private shame they carry within [מלבי״ם, רש״י].