2 Kings 7

Chap. VII. Ver. 1—20. Elisha promises immediate relief— The Syrians fly under a false alarm, and leave their camp introduced to Elisha, addressed him in the words which we have already noticed, as expressive both of impatience and unbelief. To those words the prophet replies by this prediction:—“ To-morrow, about this time, shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.” The measure here referred to was a seah, equal to about two gallons and a half; and the shekel about the value of 50 cents. This forms a wonderful contrast to the price of provisions in the preceding chapter, and might well seem incredible to the noble lord who accompanied the king, and on whose arm he leaned, but who evidently knew nothing of the power of Jehovah: he therefore objects, that if the Almighty were to make “windows in heaven,”

to pour down corn upon the earth, the fact would be scarcely possible; to which the prophet instantly replies, “Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat.” Let us now turn to the strange and mysterious means which had been provided to fulfil this incredible prediction. Four miserable lepers were sitting at the gate of Samaria, when they resolved to venture into the camp of the Syrians, and throw themselves on their mercy. On attempting to do this, they are astonished to find that the Syrians are all fled, under the impression of a false alarm; for the Lord had caused them to “hear a noise of chariots and of horses, even a great host;” from whence they concluded that the king of Israel had hired to his assistance the Canaanites and Egyptians: they were, therefore, seized with a dreadful panic, and left behind both their provisions and their treasures; when, therefore, these poor lepers had filled their bellies, they also loaded their backs with silver and gold, and garments, which they hid: when they came, however, to reflect on the state of their starving countrymen within the walls of Samaria, their conscience smote them, and they went and gave information at the king’s palace.

The king at first very naturally suspected it to be a feint of the Syrians, to draw them out of the city, and get possession of it; he therefore prudently sends out two horsemen, who return without being able to find an enemy. The people no sooner hear this than they fly to the spoil, and bring in such a quantity of provisions, that the prediction is literally fulfilled. The unhappy nobleman, indeed, who jeered at it, tastes not of the blessing; for, being appointed to keep the gate, and perhaps neither sufficiently active or accommodating, the people press on him, and he is trodden down in the gate and killed; thus fulfilling the other and the melancholy part of the prediction. So are the designs of God often fulfilled in a manner that no human sagacity could possibly devise or foresee.

Notes on the verses

Chap. VII. Ver. 1. In the gate.—[From this it appeats that the gates were not only used as courts of judicature, but as market places. So Morier observes, ‘‘ In our rides we usually went out of the town at the Derwazeh. Shah Abdul Azeem, or the gate leading to the village of Shah Abdul Azeem, where a large garnish over cuscasowe, market was held every morning, particularly of horses, mules, asses, and camels. At about sun-rise, the owners of the animals assemble and exhibit them for sale. But besides, here were sellers of all sorts of goods, in seminary shops and tents: and this, perhaps, will explain the custom alluded to in (2 Kings 7:18),’ ]—Bagsster.