To what a dreadful state was Israel now reduced; but yet not a word of reform. We do not hear of a single soul sending up a cry to heaven. Alas! how sin hardens the mind! And to what a dreadful degree is our nature fallen, when, passing by all natural feelings, such shocking deeds, as are here recorded concerning these women, take place! read more
CHAPTER VI. Save ( salvat. ) Many ancient manuscripts read salvet, conformably to the Hebrew and Septuagint, as if the king cursed the woman: "Let not the Lord save thee," Josephus [Antiquities?] ix. 4. Others place the stops differently: "He said, no: the Lord save thee." (Calmet) --- He is the author of life. (Menochius) read more
24-33 Learn to value plenty, and to be thankful for it; see how contemptible money is, when in time of famine it is so freely parted with for any thing that is eatable! The language of Jehoram to the woman may be the language of despair. See the word of God fulfilled; among the threatenings of God's judgments upon Israel for their sins, this was one, that they should eat the flesh of their own children, Deuteronomy 28:53-57. The truth and the awful justice of God were displayed in this horrible... read more
The Great Famine in Samaria v. 24. And it came to pass after this, some years after these expeditions had ceased, that Benhadad, king of Syria, gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria, evidently with the object of making the land of Israel tributary altogether. v. 25. And there was a great famine in Samaria; and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head, the poorest part of an unclean animal, was sold for fourscore pieces of silver (some $50), and the fourth part of a... read more
C.—Elisha’s conduct during the Syrian invasion and the siege of Samaria2 Kings 6:8 to 2 Kings 7:208Then the king of Syria warred against [was at war with1] Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. 9And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.2 10And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God [had] told him and warned him of, and saved... read more
the Dire Straits of Those Who Forsake God 2 Kings 6:24-33 This siege was the result of Ahab’s foolish and misplaced leniency. See 1 Kings 20:42 . The children are often called to suffer for the misdeeds and follies of their parents. Let us bear this in mind. “No man liveth to himself.” Conduct yourself so that none may be offended through long years after you have passed from earth. Apparently Elisha had counseled the king not to surrender, with the further assurance of deliverance on... read more
The incident of the swimming of the iron axe head is interesting, but quite secondary. The chief value of the story lies in its revelation of the influence Elisha was exerting in the nation. The growth of the school of the prophets was most remarkable. It was necessary that they should enlarge their borders, as they had not room to dwell. Their relation to Elisha is clearly manifest. In an hour of national peril he rose above the gentler works which were chiefly characteristic of his... read more
SECTION 8. The Wonder-working Ministry Of Elisha (2 Kings 4:1 to 2 Kings 8:15 ) It will be noted that from this point on, until 2 Kings 8:15, no king of Israel is mentioned by name, even though, for example, Naaman’s name is given in chapter 5, and Ben-hadad, the king of Aram, is mentioned in 2 Kings 6:24; 2 Kings 8:7. (The reign of Jehoram then recommences in 2 Kings 8:16). It is clear that the prophetic author was concerned at this point that our attention should be taken away from the... read more
Relief Of The Siege Of Samaria (2 Kings 6:24 to 2 Kings 7:20 ). The incident that follows appears here because it is a part of the Elisha narrative, in which the wonders wrought by YHWH for Elisha are described, not because it is in its chronological position. For it probably occurred in the time of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, and thus a considerable time after the previously mentioned incident, and after much of the history that follows in chapter 8-9. The ministry of Elisha covered a period... read more
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The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 2 Kings 6:24-33
2Ki 6:24-33 24. ¶ And it came to pass after [afterwards] this, that Benhadad [Ben-hahad 11, who had besieged Samaria in the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 20:1 .)], king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria. 25. And there was [there arose: in consequence of the siege] a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they beseiged [were besieging] it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces [eighty shekels = about £10. Ass's flesh would not be ordinarily eaten, and the head... read more