2 Kings 7:1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 7:1-2

Here, I. Elisha foretels that, notwithstanding the great straits to which the city of Samaria is reduced, yet within twenty-four hours they shall have plenty, 2 Kgs. 7:1. The king of Israel despaired of it and grew weary of waiting: then Elisha foretold it, when things were at the worst. Man's extremity is God's opportunity of magnifying his own power; his time to appear for his people is when their strength is gone, Deut. 32:36. When they had given over expecting help it came. When the son of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 7:3-11

We are here told, I. How the siege of Samaria was raised in the evening, at the edge of night (2 Kgs. 7:6, 7), not by might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts, striking terror upon the spirits of the besiegers. Here was not a sword drawn against them, not a drop of blood shed, it was not by thunder or hailstones that they were discomfited, nor were they slain, as Sennacherib's army before Jerusalem, by a destroying angel; but, 1. The Lord made them to hear a noise of chariots and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:1

Then Elisha said, hear the word of the Lord ,.... This he said to the king and those that were with him: thus saith the Lord, tomorrow, about this time ; which very probably was the forenoon: shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel ; "a seah", the measure here spoken of, or "saturn", according to some F18 Godwin, ut supra. (Moses & Aaron, B. 6. c. 9.) , was a gallon and an half; but Bishop Cumberland F19 Of Scripture Weights and Measures, c. 3. p. 86. ... read more

John Gill

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

Then a lord, on whose hand the king leaned ,.... Not figuratively, in whom the king confided, but literally, on whose hand he rested, and by whom he was supported, being a form and matter of state, while he and Elisha were talking together, or on whom he leaned as he came to him; this was a principal lord, the third to the king, as his title seems to denote; the word by which the Septuagint renders it is by Suidas F21 In voce τρισταται . interpreted of such that held three spears in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 7:3

And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate ,.... Of the city of Samaria; lepers, according to the law, being obliged to be without the city and camp, Leviticus 13:46 these might have a dwelling assigned them near the gate; or they might get as near to it as they could, partly to obtain relief from the city, and partly for fear of the Syrians; these, the Jews say F24 T. Bab. Sotah, fol. 47. 1. & Sanhedrin, fol. 107. 2. , were Gehazi and his three sons, see 2... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 7:3

There were four leprous men - The Gemara in Sota, R. Sol. Jarchi, and others, say that these four lepers were Gehazi and his three sons. At the entering in of the gate - They were not permitted to mingle in civil society. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 7:1

Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord. This was a very solemn exordium, well calculated to arrest attention. It must be remembered that the prophet's life was trembling in the balance. The executioner was present; the king had not revoked his order; the elders would probably have suffered the king to work his will. All depended on Elisha, by half a dozen words, changing the king's mind. He therefore announces a Divine oracle. Thus saith the Lord, Tomorrow about this time shall a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 7:1-2

The separation of these verses from the preceding narrative is most unfortunate. They are an integral part of it, and form its climax. In answer to the king's attempt upon his life, and hasty speech in which he has threatened to renounce Jehovah, Elisha is commissioned to proclaim that the siege is on the point of terminating, the famine about to be within twenty-four hours succeeded by a time of plenty. There is thus no reason for the king's despair or anger. read more

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