2 Kings 6

2 Kings 6:1

SOns of the prophets] See 1 Kings 18:4.

place where we dwell] The colledge or school where they met to hear Blisha instruct them.

with thee] Heb. before thee.

eostralt] For their number encreased.

2 Kings 6:2

unto Jordan] Where was not onely conveniency of water, but also of wood and other materialls to build withall.

a bea] That which may be fit to erect a fit meeting-place.

2 Kings 6:3

Be content] See Chap. 5. 23.

2 Kings 6:4

he went] To satisfie their desire, to perform his promise (v. 3.) and further to do what occasion should require, as v. 6.

2 Kings 6:5

ax-head] Heb, iron.

Alas] See v. 15.

it was borrowed] So as I ought to restore it again.

2 Kings 6:6

a stick] As Chap. 2. 21. and 4. 41. This stick was as a load-stone, to draw the iron to it.

2 Kings 6:7

Therefore, &c.] Because it so floated on the top of the water, as he might easily reach it.

2 Kings 6:8

In such and such] The Hebrew words are used to set out a certain, but unnamed thing; whether person (as Ruth 4:1.) or place, as 1 Samuel 21:2.

camp] Or, encamping.

2 Kings 6:9

are come down] To assault such as passe by.

2 Kings 6:10

sent] Spies, to search whether there were any enemies there or no.

saved himself] And his men, by forbearing to go thither.

not 〈…〉e nor twice] Often times.

2 Kings 6:11

sore troubled] As the sea with storms.

which of us] Which of them that belong to us?

for the king] In pay with him, to reveal our counsells to him.

2 Kings 6:12

None] Heb. No.

telleth] Can tell.

in thy bed-chamber] In thy most private and secret places Ecclesiastes 10:20.

2 Kings 6:13

Dothan] A city neer to Sichem, or Samaria, Gen. 37. 13, 17.

2 Kings 6:14

a great host] Heb. heavie; Of foot-men.

2 Kings 6:15

servant] Or, minister.

behold] He saw an host.

Alas, &c.] A phrase of despair, as Chap. 3. 10.

2 Kings 6:16

Fear not] A phrase of encouragement, as Exodus 14:13.

they that be with us, are mo then they that be with them] 2 Chronicles 32:7.

2 Kings 6:17

open his eyes, &c.] Grant that by some extraordinary vision he may see thy guard of angels.

full of horses, &c.] A multitude of angels in manner of an host, Psalms 34:7. and Psalms 68:17. See Chap. 2. 11.

2 Kings 6:18

they came down] The Syrians came down toward Elisha’s house.

smote, &c.] as Genesis 19:11.

blindenesse] Whereby they were so dazeled in their minde and bodily sight, as they could not discern any thing or person in the true and proper kinde thereof. Note Luke 24:16. Mark 8:24. See on Genesis 19:11.

2 Kings 6:19

said] Or answered; being asked by them where Elisha was.

This is not the way, &c.] Whither ye should go, &c. so as his speech hath ambiguity in it, but not equivocation.

follow me] Heb. come ye after me.

I will bring you to the man] For in Samaria they saw him.

2 Kings 6:20

open the eyes] Take away that dazellednesse which hath been upon them.

that they may see] Distinctly, and discern what they see.

2 Kings 6:21

My father] See Chap. 2. v. 12. The king hereby testifieth his respect to the prophets calling, and to the extraordinary Spirit of God in him.

shall I sinite] Slay them. The phrase is doubled, in testimony of joy in that power which he now had over his enemies.

2 Kings 6:22

wouldest thou smite, &c.] Men use not to kill such as in the field are taken captives, and stand not out in hostility; much lesse oughtest thou to kill such as by Gods extraordinary work are brought to thee.

bread and water] Meat and drink: courteously entertain them. See v. 23.

go to their master] To tell him what befell them.

2 Kings 6:23

came no more] As before they used, with troops, to spoil and plunder the countrey; for in the next history they are noted to come with a full army.

2 Kings 6:24

Ben-hadad] He that besieged Samaria before, 1 Kings 20:1.

2 Kings 6:25

an asses head] Not fit to be eaten, but in extreme famine.

fourscore pieces of silver] Ten pound sterling. See Chap. 5. vers. 5.

the fourth part of a cab, &c.] A cab is an Hebrew measure, of a pottle or thereabouts: the fourth part is a pine.

doves dung] Which may be taken for the corn in their crop, which, by flying, they brought out of the fields into the city: or for that corn which was in their entrails, and came from them: or else their very dung might be eaten in that extremity, or used for salt, or for fuell.

five pieces of silver] Twelve shillings and six pence.

2 Kings 6:26

upon the wall] To view the city.

2 Kings 6:27

If the Lord do not help thee] Or, Let not the Lord save thee. Can I do more then God?

out of the ba, &c.] I have neither corn nor wine to help withall.

2 Kings 6:28

the king said] After his passion was a little allayed.

This woman] So as she brought the woman with her before the king.

2 Kings 6:29

we boiled my son, and did eat him] Deuteronomy 28:53.

next] Heb. other.

hid her son] To keep him alive, or to eat him alone.

2 Kings 6:30

rent his clothes] See Chap. 5. 7.

sackcloth] As Ahab, 1 Kings 21:27.

2 Kings 6:31

God do so] See 1 Kings 19:2.

if the head of Elisha] He threatens his death, because he thought that Elisha might have confounded this army as well as that which came to Dothan, v. 18. or might have procured, food, as Elijah did rain, 1 King. 18. 44, 45. or that he might be the cause of this judgement, v. 33. 1 Kings 18:17. James 5:17.

2 Kings 6:32

elders] See 1 Kings 8:1.

sae with him] To advise about the famine, and to receive direction and consolation from him.

from before him] From his presence, or from himself, to cut off Elishah’s head.

he said] Understanding the kings purpose, as v. 12. and 5. 26.

of a murderer] Of Ahab, by whose connivence, Naboth (1 Kings 21:19.) and the LORDS prophets were slain, 1 Kings 18:4. and 1 Kings 3:19.

hold him, &c.] Be sure that he come not in to hurt me, or to hinder me in my function.

is not, &c.] Assuredly the king that sent him followeth hard after him. See 1 Kings 14:6.

2 Kings 6:33

while he, &c.] While Elisha was speaking to the elders.

he said] The messenger, in the kings name, uttering the kings words: or the king himself, who had prevented the messenger.

this evil] This famine, and the effects thereof, as, mothers eating their children.

what should I wait, &c.] A speech of diffidence and despair. It seems that Elisha had made promise of succour from the LORD, which made king Jehoram to wait some while: but when he saw the great extremity of the famine, in distrust and despair he said, What should I wait, &c.