2 Kings 7:1-15 ESV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:8

And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent ,.... The first they came to: and did eat and drink ; which was the first thing they did, being hungry, and almost starved: and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it ; in a place without the camp, where they thought it would be safe, and where they could come at it again: and came again and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:9

Then they said one to another, we do not well ,.... This is not right, to take this booty to ourselves; it is not doing justice to our brethren, and it may not prove well to ourselves in the issue: this day is a day of good tidings ; to be delivered from the enemy, and have such plenty of provisions thrown into their hands; it would be joyful tidings to the inhabitants of the city, did they know it: and we hold our peace ; and do not publish this good tidings, that others may share... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:10

So they came and called to the porter of the city ,.... The chief of those that had the care of the gate of it; for there were more than one, as follows: and they told them ; the porter, and the watchmen with him: we came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man ; not one to be seen or heard: but horses tied, and asses tied ; to their mangers; the latter, as well as the former, were used for war, not only to carry burdens, but to fight... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:11

And he called the porters ,.... The porter of the city called to the porters of the king's palace: and they told it to the king's house within ; to some of his domestic servants within the palace, and they reported it to the king. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:12

And the king arose in the night ,.... Upon the report made to him: and he said unto his servants, I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us ; taking it to be a stratagem of theirs to decoy them: they know that we be hungry ; and would be glad to come out of the city to get some food: therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field ; to make us believe that they have broke up the siege, and have deserted the camp, and are gone, when they only lie... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:13

And one of his servants answered and said, let some take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city ,.... Not having died through the famine as the rest: behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are left in it; behold, I say, they are even as the multitude of Israel that are consumed ; signifying, there was a like consumption among the horses as among the people, and they that remained were starving as they were; so that should those horses, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:14

They took therefore two chariot horses ,.... Not five, but two only, and those the best, that drew in the king's chariot perhaps, and so were better fed, and fitter for this expedition: and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, go and see ; whether they are fled or not. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:15

And they went after them unto Jordan ,.... Not finding them in the camp, and knowing the rout they would take to their own land, they went as far as Jordan, over which they must pass: and, lo, all the way was full of garments and vessels which the Syrians had cast away in their haste ; in their fright and flight, such of their clothes as hindered them in running; and their armour, as Josephus F3 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 9. c. 4. sect. 5.) seems rightly to understand the word used,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 7:1

To-morrow about this time - This was in reply to the desponding language of the king, and to vindicate himself from the charge of being author of this calamity. See the end of the preceding chapter, 2 Kings 6:33 ; (note). A measure of fine flour - for a shekel - A seah of fine flour: the seah was about two gallons and a half; the shekel, two shillings and four-pence at the lowest computation. A wide difference between this and the price of the ass's head mentioned... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 7:2

Then a lord - שליש shalish . This word, as a name of office, occurs often, and seems to point out one of the highest offices in the state. So unlikely was this prediction to be fulfilled, that he thought God must pour out wheat and barley from heaven before it could have a literal accomplishment. But shalt not eat thereof - This was a mere prediction of his death, but not as a judgment for his unbelief; any person in his circumstances might have spoken as he did. He... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 7:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 7:2

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