2 Kings 7

2 Kings 7:1

THen] When the king said, What should I wait any longer? Chap. 6. 33.

said] To the elders, king and messenger, all met together.

To morrow about this time] The day and hour is here designed.

a measure] A peck and a pottle, and somewhat more: three measures make one of our bushells.

a shekel] Two shillings and six pence. See 1 Kings 10:16. and 1 Chronicles 22:14. Compare the difference betwixt this, and Chap, 6. 25.

2 Kings 7:2

a lord] The Hebrew word importeth, the third from the king; or one of the three great officers of state, such as Daniel 6:2. He is supposed to be the man whom the King sent to kill Elisha, Chap. 6. v. 32. for great ones were so employed, 1 Kings 2:29.

a lord on whose hand the king leaned] Heb. a lord which belonged to the king, leaning upon his hand. This was the custom of kings, Chap. 5. 18.

windows] Wide open places to pour down corn as water, Genesis 7:11. Malachi 3:10.

thou shalt see it] See v. 20.

2 Kings 7:3

at the entring] Without the city; for by the law they were secluded from society with others, Leviticus 13:46.

untill we die] Through want of foot.

2 Kings 7:4

fall unto the host] Let us commit our selves to their mercy.

if they save us] They referre the issue to Gods providence, as Esther 4:16.

2 Kings 7:5

twilight] Of the evening, v. 7, 9. See Proverbs 7:9.

2 Kings 7:6

to hear] This was some hideous noise, which yet went no further then to their ears; for these lepers heard it not, nor any in the city. See 2 Samuel 5:24. 2 Kings 19:7. 9.

one to another] Heb. a man to his brother.

2 Kings 7:7

fled] As they were, suddenly, with all speed, not staying for horse, or any thing else.

twilight] See v. 5.

for their life] To save it, fearing they should be slain if they stayed.

2 Kings 7:8

hid it] Fearing lest all might be taken from them.

2 Kings 7:9

some mischief will come upon us] Heb. iniquity will finde us: We shall be accounted unjust and evil doers, and accordingly punished. See Numbers 32:23.

2 Kings 7:10

them] The porter, and the watch-men with him.

2 Kings 7:11

he] The chief keeper of the city-gate, to whom the lepers first told it.

porters] Keepers of the gate of the kings palace.

2 Kings 7:12

servants] Of his privie counsell, as Chap. 6. v. 8.

shew you] What I conceive of this matter.

2 Kings 7:13

in the city] Heb. in it.

they are as all the multitude] They and we all are in the like ease, like to die (as others are dead before us) if we have no relief; it can be therefore no great losse if they be surprised by the enemies.

see] Whether the report be true or no.

2 Kings 7:14

chariot-horses] With riders on them.

after the host] Which was said to be fled.

2 Kings 7:15

unto Jordan] So as they perceived that the Syrians were fled over Jordan, and the lesse to be feared.

vessells] The Hebrew word is put for sundry things usefull to man; as, for vessels which hold liquor (Esther 1:7.) for instruments of musick (Isaiah 22:24.) for instruments of iron (Numbers 35:16.) for hunting-instruments (Genesis 27:3.) for warlike instruments (Genesis 49:5.) Here is implied, that they cast away all manner of instruments or utensills that they had.

in their haste] Put on by fear, as 2 Samuel 4:4.

2 Kings 7:16

went out] Hastily, tumultuously, v. 17.

measure, &c.] See v. 1.

2 Kings 7:17

the lord, &c.] See v. 2.

trode upon him] By reason of their eager and disorderly thrusting to get corn, v. 1, 2.

2 Kings 7:18

And it came to passe] The three last verses, compared with the two first verses of this chapter, give evidence of Gods truth in accomplishing what he threatens.