2 Kings 7:3

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 7:3

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 7:3

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 7:1-20

THE SIEGE OF SAMARIA ( continued ) : THE DELIVERANCE . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 7:1-20

The sin of the scoffer, and its punishment. Unbelief may be involuntary, and so neither incur guilt nor deserve punishment. St. Paul "obtained mercy" notwithstanding his bitter persecution of the, early Christians, "because he did it ignorantly in unbelief" ( 1 Timothy 1:13 ). Modem skeptics are, no doubt, in many cases unable to believe, their eyes being blinded through their education, through ingrained prejudice or invincible ignorance. But to scoff at religion must be at all times a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 7:3

And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate ; or, at the entrance to the gate-house . Lepers were forbidden by the Law to reside within cities (Le 13:46; Numbers 5:3 ). They were thrust out when the disease developed itself, and forced to dwell without the walls. No doubt their friends within the city ordinarily supplied them with food; and hence they congregated about the city gates. And they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? In the extreme... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 7:3-8

The force of will. "And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate," etc. Here we have— I. MEN INVOLVED IN THE MOST WRETCHED CONDITION . "There were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate." Of all the diseases which afflict mankind none is more painful, loathsome, and disastrous than leprosy. It was the scourge of the Hebrew race. Moses minutely describes the appearance of this malady, and gives clear and forcible rules to govern the medical... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 7:3-11

The four lepers. "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform." Speculation might have exhausted itself in vain in conjecturing how Elisha's prediction was to be accomplished. Nevertheless, the wonder was performed by a series of events as simple as it was unlooked for. I. A POLICY OF DESPAIR . 1. The lepers at the gate . We are first introduced to four lepers at the entering in of the gate. They were outside, and had hitherto subsisted by food handed out or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 7:3-15

The plenitude of God's power to deliver from the extremist dangers. It is impossible to conceive a peril greater than that of Samaria at this time. The Syrians were masters of all the open country. They had for months surrounded the town and strictly blockaded it. The store of provisions within the walls was almost wholly exhausted, and there was no possibility of obtaining a supply from without. Jehoram had no ally who could be expected to come to his aid. Human wisdom, as personified in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 7:3-16

The mode in which Elisha's prophecy of relief and deliverance was fulfilled is now set forth. Four lepers, excluded from the city, and on the point of perishing of hunger, felt that they could be no worse off, and might better their condition, if they deserted to the Syrians. They therefore drew off from the city at nightfall, and made for the Syrian camp. On arriving, they found it deserted. The entire host, seized with a sudden panic, had fled, about the time that they began their journey.... read more

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