2 Kings 7

Elisa foretelleth what should be in Samaria, and likewise the death of a great Chieftain; that would not believe this Prophesy, v.1, &c. Four Lepers visit the camp of the Syrians, where they find no man, 3. The Syrians being hasted away by God, 6. the lepers report this in the city, 8. The truth whereof is enquired after, 12. The matter appearing to be so, Elia’s Prophecy is fulfilled, 16.

1. Then Elisa said; [To wit, to the Eldest, that were assembled with him; to the messenger that was sent by the King; and to the King himself, who immediately followed after his messenger. See the two last verses of the former chapter, and below v.17.18.] hear the word of the LORD: thus saith the LORD, tomorrow about this time shall a measure [called with the Hebrews Seah. See of this measure Gen.18.on v.6.] of meal-flower he (sold) for a shekel, [the common shekel of silver, whereof mention is made here, was full out, or a little more than a fourth part of a Rycks Doller. See Gen.23.on v.16.] and two measures of barley for one shekel, in the gate at Samaria.

2. But a Captain, whose hand the King leaned, [According to the custom of Kings and great Princes. See above chap.5.18. This man is thought to have been that man that was sent out by the King, to take off the Prophets head, above chap.6.v.32.] answered the man of God, and said; behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, [viz. to pour out thorough the same meal and corn in great abundance, as rain is poured down from heaven. See of the Hebrew word, Gen.7. on ver.11.] (could) that thing come to pass. [thus he strongly denyeth that is was possible. See Gen.18.on vers.17.] And he said; behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but not eat thereof.

3. Now there were four leprous men before the door of the gate: [The lepers might not dwelling in the camp, nor in the cities, but without those places, being separated from the society and company of men, Lev.13.46. Now these had approached to the very gate of the city, being fled, because of the camp of the Syrians that lay before it] those said the one to the other; why tarry we here, until we die?

4. If we say, let us enter into the city, [i.e. Think, or determine with our selves, to enter into the city. See Gen.20.on v.11.] then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there; and if we tarry here, we shall also die: now then come and fall into the camp of the Syrians; if they let us live, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

5. And they rose up in the twilight, [The Hebrew word signifieth the morning or evening-time, when it is between light and dark. There it’s taken for the evening twilight, as appeareth by v.9. just when the Syrians fled away, v.7.9. For the morning twilight it is taken, Psa.119.v.147. See also 1 Sam.30.on v.17.] to enter into the camp of the Syrians: Now when he came to the uttermost (part) of the camp of the Syrians, [understand the foremost end of the camp, that lay nearest to the place where the lepers came. So below v.8.] behold, then no man was there.

6. For the LORD had caused the host of the Syrians to hear a sound of charets, and a sound of horses, the sound of a great army, [which was either in their ears only, or also in the air, made by God by the ministry of his Angels] so that they said the one to the other, [Heb. the man to his brother] Behold, the King of Israel hath hired against us the Kings of the Hithites, [by these are understood, not the Hethites descended from Heth, Gen.10.15. who were long before time destroyed, but (as some conceive) the Kings of the Islands, Cyprus, Crete, etc.] and the Kings of the Egyptians, to come against us.

7. Therefore they had got them up, and were fled (away) in the twilight, [To wit, just before the lepers were come to the camp. See above on.v.5.] and had left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, the camp as it was: [viz. when they were in it before the slight, which came upon them so unawares, and with such terror, that looking after nothing at all, they left all behind, as it was, barely to save their lives. Compare herewith below v.10.] and were fled for their life. [Heb. soul. See Gen.19.on v.17.]

8. Now when these lepers came to the uttermost (part) of the camp, then they went into one tent, and did eat, and drink, and took thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went away and hid it: Then they returned and went into another tent, took from thence also, and went away and hid it.

9. Then they said the one to the other, [Heb. the the man to his neighbour, or companion. Compare above the anotat. on v.6.] We do not well: This day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: If we tarry till the morning light, then iniquity will find us: [i.e. the punishment of sin will light upon us. For sin is said to find us, not only when we are found and overtaken in it, but are also punished for it. See Num.32.23. and the annotate. thereon] therefore bow come, let us go, and report (this) to the Kings house.

10. So they came, and called unto the Porter [Oth.unto the Porters] of the city, and told them, saying; we came to the camp of the Syrians, and behold, (there) was no man there, nor any mans voice; but horses tied, and asses tied, and tents according as they were.

11. And he [To wit, the city Porter, that had the watch] called the Porters: [to wit, his fellows, or companions, that kept guard with him at the gate; or the Porters of the Kings house. Oth. the Porters cryed] and they made the report within to the Kings house.

12. And the King arose in the night, and said unto his servants; [i.e. Counsellors, and chiefest Officers. See Gen.20.on v.8.] I will tell you now what the Syrians have done to us: They know that we be hungry, therefore they are gone out of the camp, to hide themselves in the field, saying; when they shall be come out of the city, then we shall catch them alive, and we shall come into the city.

13. Then one of his servants answered, and said; let them take five of the remaining horses, that are left here within, [i.e. in this city] (behold, they are as all the multitude of the Israelites, that are left here within, behold, they are as all the multitude of the Israelites, that are perished) [intimating, that these horses were no more to be esteemed then the besiege Israelites, who needs must die as well as the rest that were already dead, if no relief came] let us send them, and see.

14. They took then two charet-horses: And the King sent after the camp of the Syrians, saying; go your ways, and see. [Heb. two charets of horses, etc. i.e. two horses of charets: Understand which are wont to be fastned to the charet. Oth. two horsemen on horseback: to wit, whom the King had commanded to view the camp of the Syrians, and to enquire how the case stood with them.]

15. And they followed them to the Jordan, and behold all the way was full of garments and furniture, [Or, vessels] which the Syrians had thrown away in their hastening: [the Hebrew word signifieth properly such an hastening as is accompanied with fear of eminent danger Compare 2 Sam.4.4. Psa.48.6.] Now the messengers returned, and reported it to the King.

16. Then the people went forth, and spoiled the camp of the Syrians: and a measure of meal flower was (sold) for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.

17. Now the King had set the Captain, on whose hand he leaned, [See above on v.2.] over that gate, [thorough which they passed to the camp of the Syrians] and the people [to wit which in great multitude and hast sought to be out of the city, very greedy after food and prey, that were to be had in great abundance both in the camp and out of it; and partly came in, loaden with meat, drink, garments, arms, etc. and bringing many beasts and cattle along with them] trod upon him in the gate, that he died: as the man of God had spoken, who spake it, when the King was come down unto him.

18. For it came to pass, as the man of God had spoken unto the King, saying; tomorrow about this time shall two measures of barley be (sold) for one shekel, and one measure of meal flower for one shekel in the gate of Samaria. [See above on v.1.]

19. And that Captain had answered the man of God, and said; behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, [See above on v.2.] were it (possible) to be done according to this word? [or could also such a thing be done] And he [namely, the Prophet Elisa] had said; behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but not eat of it.

20. Even so it happened to him: for the people trod upon him in the gate, that he died.