Teks -- 2 Kings 7:1-14 (NET)

7:1 Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Lord says, ‘About this time tomorrow a seah of finely milled flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.’” 7:2 An officer who was the king’s right-hand man responded to the prophet, “Look, even if the Lord made it rain by opening holes in the sky, could this happen so soon?” Elisha said, “Look, you will see it happen with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of the food!” 7:3 Now four men with a skin disease were sitting at the entrance of the city gate. They said to one another, “Why are we just sitting here waiting to die? 7:4 If we go into the city, we’ll die of starvation, and if we stay here we’ll die! So come on, let’s defect to the Syrian camp! If they spare us, we’ll live; if they kill us– well, we were going to die anyway.” 7:5 So they started toward the Syrian camp at dusk. When they reached the edge of the Syrian camp, there was no one there. 7:6 The Lord had caused the Syrian camp to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a large army. Then they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has paid the kings of the Hittites and Egypt to attack us!” 7:7 So they got up and fled at dusk, leaving behind their tents, horses, and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives. 7:8 When the men with a skin disease reached the edge of the camp, they entered a tent and had a meal. They also took some silver, gold, and clothes and went and hid it all. Then they went back and entered another tent. They looted it and went and hid what they had taken. 7:9 Then they said to one another, “It’s not right what we’re doing! This is a day to celebrate, but we haven’t told anyone. If we wait until dawn, we’ll be punished. So come on, let’s go and inform the royal palace.” 7:10 So they went and called out to the gatekeepers of the city. They told them, “We entered the Syrian camp and there was no one there. We didn’t even hear a man’s voice. But the horses and donkeys are still tied up, and the tents remain up.” 7:11 The gatekeepers relayed the news to the royal palace. 7:12 The king got up in the night and said to his advisers, “I will tell you what the Syrians have done to us. They know we are starving, so they left the camp and hid in the field, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will capture them alive and enter the city.’” 7:13 One of his advisers replied, “Pick some men and have them take five of the horses that are left in the city. (Even if they are killed, their fate will be no different than that of all the Israelite people– we’re all going to die!) Let’s send them out so we can know for sure what’s going on.” 7:14 So they picked two horsemen and the king sent them out to track the Syrian army. He ordered them, “Go and find out what’s going on.”

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: 2Ki 7:1 - Measure

Heb. Seah, a measure containing six cabs, or about a peck and pottle of our measure.

Wesley: 2Ki 7:2 - Windows

Through which he could rain down corn, as once he did Manna.

Wesley: 2Ki 7:6 - Hittites

Under which name (as elsewhere under the name of the Amorites) he seems to understand all the people of Canaan. For though the greatest number of that people were destroyed, yet very many of them were spared, and many of them upon Joshua's coming, fled away, some to remote parts, others to the lands bordering upon Canaan, where they seated themselves, and grew numerous and powerful.

Wesley: 2Ki 7:6 - Kings

Either the king of Egypt, the plural number being put for the singular, or, the princes and governors of the several provinces in Egypt.

Wesley: 2Ki 7:7 - Fled

None of them had so much sense as to send scouts to discover the supposed enemy, much less, courage enough to face them. God can when he pleases, dispirit the boldest, and make the stoutest heart to tremble. They that will not fear God, he can make them fear at the shaking of a leaf. Perhaps Gehazi was one of these lepers, which might occasion his being taken notice of by the king, 2Ki 8:4.

Wesley: 2Ki 7:13 - Behold, &c.

_The words may be rendered, Behold, they are of a truth (the Hebrew prefix, Caph, being not here a note of similitude, but an affirmation of the truth and certainty of the things, as it is taken Num 11:1; Deu 9:10,) all the multitude of the horses of Israel that are left in it: behold, I say, they are even all the multitude of the horses of the Israelites, which (which multitude) are consumed, reduced to this small number, all consumed except these five. And this was indeed worthy of a double behold, to shew what mischief the famine had done both upon men and beasts, and to what a low ebb the king of Israel was come, that all his troops of horses, to which he had trusted, were shrunk to so small a number.

JFB: 2Ki 7:1 - Hear ye the word of the Lord

This prediction, though uttered first to the assembled elders, was intimated to the king's messengers, who reported it to Jehoram (2Ki 7:18).

JFB: 2Ki 7:1 - To-morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, &c.

This may be estimated at a peck of fine flour for 2s. 6d., and two pecks of barley at the same price.

JFB: 2Ki 7:1 - in the gate of Samaria

Vegetables, cattle, all sorts of country produce, are still sold every morning at the gates of towns in the East.

JFB: 2Ki 7:2 - a lord on whose hand the king leaned

When an Eastern king walks or stands abroad in the open air, he always supports himself on the arm of the highest courtier present.

JFB: 2Ki 7:2 - if the Lord would make windows in heaven

The scoffing infidelity of this remark, which was a sneer against not the prophet only, but the God he served, was justly and signally punished (see 2Ki 7:20).

JFB: 2Ki 7:3 - there were four leprous men

The account of the sudden raising of the siege and the unexpected supply given to the famishing inhabitants of Samaria, is introduced by a narrative of the visit and discovery, by these poor creatures, of the extraordinary flight of the Syrians.

JFB: 2Ki 7:3 - leprous men at the entering in of the gate

Living, perhaps, in some lazar house there (Lev 13:4-6; Num 5:3).

JFB: 2Ki 7:5 - they rose up in the twilight

That is, the evening twilight (2Ki 7:12).

JFB: 2Ki 7:5 - the uttermost part of the camp of Syria

That is, the extremity nearest the city.

JFB: 2Ki 7:6-7 - the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots

This illusion of the sense of hearing, whereby the besiegers imagined the tramp of two armies from opposite quarters, was a great miracle which God wrought directly for the deliverance of His people.

JFB: 2Ki 7:8-11 - these lepers . . . did eat and drink

After they had appeased their hunger and secreted as many valuables as they could carry, their consciences smote them for concealing the discovery and they hastened to publish it in the city.

JFB: 2Ki 7:10 - horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were

The uniform arrangement of encampments in the East is to place the tents in the center, while the cattle are picketed all around, as an outer wall of defense; and hence the lepers describe the cattle as the first objects they saw.

JFB: 2Ki 7:12-15 - the king . . . said unto his servants, I will now show you what the Syrians have done

Similar stratagems have been so often resorted to in the ancient and modern wars of the East that there is no wonder Jehoram's suspicions were awakened. But the scouts, whom he despatched, soon found unmistakable signs of the panic that had struck the enemy and led to a most precipitate flight.

Clarke: 2Ki 7:1 - To-morrow about this time

To-morrow about this time - This was in reply to the desponding language of the king, and to vindicate himself from the charge of being author of this calamity. See the end of the preceding chapter, 2Ki 6:33 (note)

Clarke: 2Ki 7:1 - A measure of fine flour - for a shekel

A measure of fine flour - for a shekel - A seah of fine flour: the seah was about two gallons and a half; the shekel, two shillings and four-pence at the lowest computation. A wide difference between this and the price of the ass’ s head mentioned above.

Clarke: 2Ki 7:2 - Then a lord

Then a lord - שליש shalish . This word, as a name of office, occurs often, and seems to point out one of the highest offices in the state. So unlikely was this prediction to be fulfilled, that he thought God must pour out wheat and barley from heaven before it could have a literal accomplishment

Clarke: 2Ki 7:2 - But shalt not eat thereof

But shalt not eat thereof - This was a mere prediction of his death, but not as a judgment for his unbelief; any person in his circumstances might have spoken as he did. He stated in effect that nothing but a miracle could procure the plenty predicted, and by a miracle alone was it done; and any person in his place might have been trodden to death by the crowd in the gate of Samaria.

Clarke: 2Ki 7:3 - There were four leprous men

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

Clarke: 2Ki 7:3 - At the entering in of the gate

At the entering in of the gate - They were not permitted to mingle in civil society.

Clarke: 2Ki 7:5 - The uttermost part of the camp

The uttermost part of the camp - Where the Syrian advanced guards should have been.

Clarke: 2Ki 7:6 - The Lord had made the - Syrians to hear a noise

The Lord had made the - Syrians to hear a noise - This threw them into confusion; they imagined that they were about to be attacked by powerful auxiliaries, which the king of Israel had hired against them.

Clarke: 2Ki 7:12 - The king arose in the night

The king arose in the night - This king had made a noble defense; he seems to have shared in all the sufferings of the besieged, and to have been ever at his post. Even in vile Ahab there were some good things

Clarke: 2Ki 7:12 - They know that we be hungry

They know that we be hungry - This was a very natural conclusion; the Syrians by the closest blockade could not induce them to give up the city, but knowing that they were in a starving condition, they might make use of such a stratagem as that imagined by the king, in order to get possession of the city.

Clarke: 2Ki 7:13 - And one of his servants answered

And one of his servants answered - This is a very difficult verse, and the great variety of explanations given of it cast but little light on the subject. I am inclined to believe, with Dr. Kennicott, that there is an interpolation here which puzzles, if not destroys, the sense. "Several instances,"says he, "have been given of words improperly repeated by Jewish transcribers, who have been careless enough to make such mistakes, and yet cautious not to alter or erase, for fear of discovery. This verse furnishes another instance in a careless repetition of seven Hebrew words, thus: -

הנשארים אשר נשארו בה הנם ככל ההמון ישראל אשר נשארו בה הנם ככל המון ישראל אשר תמי

The exact English of this verse is this: And the servant said, Let them take now five of the remaining horses, which remain in it; behold they are as all the multitude of Israel, which [remain in it; behold they are as all the multitude of Israel which] are consumed; and let us send and see

"Whoever considers that the second set of these seven words is neither in the Septuagint nor Syriac versions, and that those translators who suppose these words to be genuine alter them to make them look like sense, will probably allow them to have been at first an improper repetition; consequently to be now an interpolation strangely continued in the Hebrew text."They are wanting in more than forty of Kennicott’ s and De Rossi’ s MSS. In some others they are left without points; in others they have been written in, and afterwards blotted out; and in others four, in others five, of the seven words are omitted. De Rossi concludes thus: Nec verba haec legunt Lxx., Vulg., Syrus simplex, Syrus Heptaplaris Parisiensis, Targum. They stand on little authority, and the text should be read, omitting the words enclosed by brackets, as above

Clarke: 2Ki 7:13 - They are consumed

They are consumed - The words אשר תמו asher tamu should be translated, which are perfect; i.e., fit for service. The rest of the horses were either dead of the famine, killed for the subsistence of the besieged, or so weak as not to be able to perform such a journey.

Clarke: 2Ki 7:14 - They took - two chariot horses

They took - two chariot horses - They had at first intended to send five; probably they found on examination that only two were effective. But if they sent two chariots, each would have two horses, and probably a single horse for crossing the country.

Defender: 2Ki 7:3 - the gate

The law forbade lepers to go inside the city (Lev 13:46)."

TSK: 2Ki 7:1 - Elisha said // To morrow // a measure of fine flour // of barley // in the gate of Samaria

Elisha said : See note on 2Ki 6:33, and see note on 2Ki 20:16. 1Ki 22:19; Isa 1:10; Eze 37:4

To morrow : 2Ki 7:18, 2Ki 7:19; Exo 8:23, Exo 9:5, Exo 9:6, Exo 14:13, Exo 16:12; Jos 3:5; 1Sa 11:9; Psa 46:5

a measure of fine flour : A seah of flourcaps1 . tcaps0 he seah was about two gallons and a half; the shekel 2s. 4d. at the lowest computationcaps1 . acaps0 wide difference between this and the price of the ass’ s head. 2Ki 6:25; Rev 6:6

of barley : 2Ki 4:42; Joh 6:9

in the gate of Samaria : From this it appears that the gates were not only used as courts of judicature, but as market-places. So Mr. 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 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 temporary shops and tents, and this, perhaps, will explain the custom alluded to in 2Ki 7:18.""

TSK: 2Ki 7:2 - a lord // if the Lord // windows // thou shalt see it

a lord : etc. or, a lord which belonged to the king, leaning on his hand, 2Ki 5:18

if the Lord : Gen 18:12-14; Num 11:21-23; Psa 78:19-21, Psa 78:41

windows : Gen 7:11; Mal 3:10

thou shalt see it : 2Ki 7:17-20; Deu 3:27; 2Ch 20:20; Isa 7:9; Rom 3:3; 2Ti 2:13; Heb 3:17-19

TSK: 2Ki 7:3 - four leprous // Why

four leprous : 2Ki 5:1, 2Ki 8:4; Lev 13:46; Num 5:2-4, Num 12:14

Why : 2Ki 7:4; Jer 8:14, Jer 27:13

TSK: 2Ki 7:4 - we will enter // let us fall // if they save us // we shall but die

we will enter : Jer 14:18

let us fall : 1Ch 12:19; Jer 37:13, Jer 37:14

if they save us : Est 4:16; Jer 8:14; Jon 3:9; Luk 15:17-19

we shall but die : 2Sa 14:14; Heb 9:27

TSK: 2Ki 7:5 - in the twilight // behold

in the twilight : 1Sa 30:17; Eze 12:6, Eze 12:7, Eze 12:12

behold : Lev 27:8, Lev 27:26; Deu 28:7, Deu 32:25, Deu 32:30

TSK: 2Ki 7:6 - the Lord // the kingss of the Hittites // the kings of the Egyptians

the Lord : 2Ki 3:22, 2Ki 3:23-27, 2Ki 19:7; 2Sa 5:24; Job 15:21; Psa 14:5; Jer 20:3, Jer 20:4; Eze 10:5; Rev 6:15, Rev 6:16, Rev 9:9

the kingss of the Hittites : 1Ki 10:29

the kings of the Egyptians : 2Ch 12:2, 2Ch 12:3; Isa 31:1, Isa 36:9

TSK: 2Ki 7:7 - they arose // their horses // and fled for their life

they arose : Job 18:11; Psa 48:4-6, Psa 68:12; Pro 21:1, Pro 28:1; Jer 48:8, Jer 48:9

their horses : Psa 20:7, Psa 20:8, Psa 33:17; Amo 2:14-16

and fled for their life : Num 35:11, Num 35:12; Pro 6:5; Isa 2:20; Mat 24:16-18; Heb 6:18

TSK: 2Ki 7:8 - hid it

hid it : 2Ki 5:24; Jos 7:21; Jer 41:8; Mat 13:44, Mat 25:18

TSK: 2Ki 7:9 - they said one // this day // some mischief will come upon us

they said one : 2Ki 7:3; Hag 1:4, Hag 1:5

this day : 2Ki 7:6; Isa 41:27, Isa 52:7; Nah 1:15; Luk 2:10; Phi 2:4

some mischief will come upon us : Heb. we shall find punishment, 2Ki 5:26, 2Ki 5:27; Num 32:23; Pro 24:16

TSK: 2Ki 7:10 - the porter // no man there

the porter : 2Ki 7:11; 2Sa 18:26; Psa 127:1; Mar 13:34, Mar 13:35

no man there : 2Ki 7:6, 2Ki 7:7

TSK: 2Ki 7:13 - one // in the city // they are even

one : 2Ki 5:13

in the city : Heb. in it

they are even : 2Ki 7:4, 2Ki 6:33; Jer 14:18; Lam 4:9

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 2Ki 7:1 - Elisha said

Elisha said either to the messenger, to be reported to the king; or rather, to the king, being then come to him, as it is expressed, 1Ki 7:18 ; and to his courtiers, who were come with him, 1Ki 7:2 . Thus saith the Lord: the Lord, whom you have so highly offended, and at present despise and refuse to wait upon, of his own mere grace and bounty hath sent you the glad tidings of your deliverance. A measure Heb. seah ; a measure containing 6 cabs, or 144 egg-shells, or about a peck and a pottle of our measure. Be sold for a shekel: compare this with 2Ki 6:25 .

Poole: 2Ki 7:2 - On whose hand the king leaned // If the Lord would make windows // Shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof

On whose hand the king leaned when he walked. See 2Ki 5:18 .

If the Lord would make windows through which he could rain down corn, as once he did manna.

Shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof a just punishment for such peremptory unbelief, whereby he made not only the prophet, but even God himself, (in whose name it was evident Elisha said and did this and other things,) a liar.

Poole: 2Ki 7:3 - At the entering in of the gate

At the entering in of the gate to wit, of the city, out of which they were shut by virtue of God’ s law, Lev 13:46 14:3 either the the dwelling place of the lepers was near the gate, or they were come very near to the gate, for fear of the Syrians.

Poole: 2Ki 7:5 - in the twilight

in the twilight in the evening twilight, as appears from 2Ki 7:9,12 .

Poole: 2Ki 7:6 - To hear a noise // The Hittites // The kings of the Egyptians

To hear a noise either in the air; or rather, in their ears; otherwise the Samaritans had heard it.

The Hittites under which name (as elsewhere under the name of the Amorites) he seems to understand all or any of the people of Canaan. For though the greatest number of that people were destroyed, yet very many of them were spared, and many of them upon Joshua’ s coming fled away, some to more remote parts, (which that famous and ancient inscription upon a pillar in Africa testifies,) and others to the lands bordering upon Canaan, where by reason of the scarcity of inhabitants there was in that age room enough for them; and there they seated themselves, and grew numerous and powerful and had (after their ancient and constant manner) kings over them. The kings also of Tyrus or Sidon may be here included.

The kings of the Egyptians by which they may understand either the king of Egypt, the plural number being put for the singular, as it is elsewhere; of the princes and governors of the several nomi or provinces in Egypt, such being oft called kings in Scripture.

Poole: 2Ki 7:7

To save their lives; which they fancied to be in such present and extreme danger, that they durst not stay to take away any of their goods, but every man fled the next way before him.

Poole: 2Ki 7:9 - We do not well

We do not well not well for our brethren, whom we should pity, and help; nor well for ourselves; for we may suffer for this neglect; either from the Syrians, who may lie lurking hereabouts; or from our king and people; or from God’ s immediate hand.

Poole: 2Ki 7:10 - They told them

They told them to wit, the porter and his companies.

Poole: 2Ki 7:11 - The porters

The porters either his fellow porters of the city; or rather, the porters or guards of the gate of the king’ s house.

Poole: 2Ki 7:13 - all the multitude // behold

So the sense is, We may well venture these horses, though we have no more, because both they and we are ready to perish through hunger; and therefore let us use them whilst we may for our common good, or to make the discovery. But the repetition of the phrase seems to imply something more emphatical and significant than the saving of four or five horses, for which it is not probable they would be so much concerned in their circumstances. The words therefore may be reordered otherwise, Behold, they are of a truth (the Hebrew prefix caph being not here a note of similitude, as the other translations make it, and as it is commonly used; but an affirmation of the truth and certainty of the things, as it is taken Num 11:1 Deu 9:10 Hos 4:4 5:10 Joh 1:14 )

all the multitude of the horses of Israel that are left in it (to wit, in the city); behold , I say, they are even all the multitude of the horses of the Israelites which (i.e. which multitude) are consumed , i.e. reduced to this small number, all consumed except these five. And thus the vulgar Latin, and some others, understand it. And this was indeed a memorable passage, and worthy of a double

behold , to show what mischief the famine had done both upon men and beasts, and to what a low ebb the king of Israel was come, that all his troops of horses, to which he had trusted, were shrunk to so small a number.

Poole: 2Ki 7:14 - Two chariot horses

Two chariot horses or, two chariots of horses ; or rather, two chariot horses , as divers render the words, i.e. horses which belonged to the king’ s chariots. For single horses seem much more proper for this service than chariots and horses. And whereas it was moved by the king’ s servant, that all the five horses should be sent, it seems it was thought by the king and others that two were sufficient for that purpose.

PBC: 2Ki 7:4

That’s the spirit of a sinner. He recognizes the fact that if he stays where he is that he is going to perish and if he turns back to his old way of life, he’s going to perish, "I’ll go to Jesus and if I am received by Him, I will live and if not I can but die." But of course none have ever come to Christ seeking mercy that have been turned away. He always receives sinners.

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Haydock: 2Ki 7:1 - A stater // Bushel // Gate

A stater. It is the same as a sicle or shekel. (Challoner) ---

As it is in Hebrew and Septuagint. ---

Bushel, or "measure," (Haydock) above 9 pints. ---

Gate, where the market place commonly was. (Calmet)

Haydock: 2Ki 7:2 - Lords // Flood-gates // Thereof

Lords. Hebrew shalish, "an officer" of the first rank, Exodus xiv. 7. Septuagint Greek: tristates, which Josephus explains of one who "commands a third part of the army." (Calmet) ---

Flood-gates. If corn should fall with the same abundance as water does from the cataracts of the Nile; or, Hebrew, "if the Lord should make windows," &c., to pour it down, (Calmet) could it possibly be so cheap? (Menochius) ---

Thereof. Thus his incredulity was punished, ver. 17. (Salien) ---

Reason must not pretend to reach the power of God, but ought to believe what he says. (Worthington)

Haydock: 2Ki 7:3 - Lepers

Lepers. They were excluded from society, though the laws of religion were ill observed in Israel. The Rabbins say, these four were Giezi and his three sons. (Calmet) ---

But this is without foundation, (Haydock) as Giezi was not yet a leper, chap. viii. 5. ---

Salien places that judgment two years later. (Haydock)

Haydock: 2Ki 7:5 - Evening // First part

Evening. Hebrew, "twilight." ---

First part, where the advanced guard should be, or the nearest tents.

Haydock: 2Ki 7:6 - Hethites

Hethites. Septuagint, "Chetteans." Josephus, "the islands" of Cyprus, &c. He seems to have read Cethim in the text, as they peopled Cyprus. (Calmet) ---

See Jeremias ii. 10. (Menochius) ---

These Hethites seem to have dwelt in the stony Arabia, (Judges i. 26.) or in Syria. (Haydock) ---

Solomon had connexions with them, 3 Kings x. 29. (Calmet) ---

Angels made the noise of a mighty army, and probably appeared, as they had done to Giezi, chap. vi. 17. (Tirinus)

Haydock: 2Ki 7:9 - Crime // Court

Crime, and punished. Hebrew, "iniquity shall find us." Citizens are bound to give notice of what may tend to the common good. (Calmet) ---

Court. Not in person, but by means of others. (Menochius)

Haydock: 2Ki 7:10 - Tied

Tied to the mangers, or rather by the hind-legs, as it is still the custom in the East. (Xenophon. Anab. iii. Martyr legat. Babyl.)

Haydock: 2Ki 7:13 - Consumed

Consumed, for food. (Menochius) ---

Septuagint, "Let them take five of the horses left. Those which are left here, behold they are to all the remaining multitude of Israel, and let us send them." They have read in a different manner from the present Hebrew, which has, "Let them take five of the horses there remaining; behold they are like all the multitude of Israel who are lost; let us send them." Arabic, "Let us send thither five horsemen who remain; if they escape, we shall look upon them as those Israelites who continue alive; if they perish, they well be numbered with the other Israelites who are dead." Both horses and horsemen were dreadfully lean, and they could not expect a better fate than those already consumed by famine. (Calmet) ---

The truth of the report ought at least to be fully ascertained. By following the timid advice of the king no prospect of redress appeared. At last the king consented to send two horsemen. (Haydock) (Septuagint, ver. 14.) (Junius, &c.)

Haydock: 2Ki 7:14 - Horses

Horses. Hebrew, "chariot horses," or two chariots with (each) two horses, as it was customary to go to war, and to travel on chariots. (Calmet)

Gill: 2Ki 7:1 - Then Elisha said, hear the word of the Lord // thus saith the Lord, tomorrow, 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

Then Elisha said, hear the word of the Lord,.... This he said to the king and those that were with him:

thus saith the Lord, tomorrow, about this time; which very probably was the forenoon:

shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel; "a seah", the measure here spoken of, or "saturn", according to some ^r, was a gallon and an half; but Bishop Cumberland ^s makes it two wine gallons and an half; and a shekel, according to his accurate computation, was two shillings and four pence farthing, and near the eighth part of one ^t:

and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria; where the market was kept; the same sort of measure and of money is here used as before; and we learn from hence that a measure of wheat was equal to two of barley.

Gill: 2Ki 7:2 - Then a lord, on whose hand the king leaned // answered the man of God // and said, behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? // and he said // behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof

Then a lord, on whose hand the king leaned,.... Not figuratively, in whom the king confided, but literally, on whose hand he rested, and by whom he was supported, being a form and matter of state, while he and Elisha were talking together, or on whom he leaned as he came to him; this was a principal lord, the third to the king, as his title seems to denote; the word by which the Septuagint renders it is by Suidas ^u interpreted of such that held three spears in the hand together; and this was an honourable post, for a king to lean on him; such state was used by the king of Syria, 2Ki 5:18 and by the kings and queens of Persia; so Gorionides ^w says of Esther, that on the third day; she put on her beautiful garments and glorious ornaments, and took two of her maidens with her, and put her right hand on one of them, and leaned upon her in a royal manner, or as was the manner of kings: the same

answered the man of God; the prophet of the Lord, as the Targum:

and said, behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? it is impossible it should be, if he was to open the windows of heaven as at the flood, and let down showers of wheat and barley, in like manner as he rained manna in the wilderness:

and he said; the prophet in reply to him:

behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof; wheat and barley sold at the above price, but should not taste of it, as a punishment of his unbelief.

Gill: 2Ki 7:3 - And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate // and they said one to another, why sit we here until we die

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, Lev 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 ^x, were Gehazi and his three sons, see 2Ki 5:27.

and they said one to another, why sit we here until we die? being ready to perish with hunger.

Gill: 2Ki 7:4 - If we say we will enter into the city // then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there // and if we sit here, we die also // now therefore let us come, and fall unto the host of the Syrians // if they save us alive, we shall live // and if they kill us, we shall but die

If we say we will enter into the city,.... Contrary to the law which forbid them:

then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there; not being able to obtain food to preserve life:

and if we sit here, we die also; having nothing to eat to support nature:

now therefore let us come, and fall unto the host of the Syrians; put ourselves into their hands, and lie at their mercy:

if they save us alive, we shall live; if they do not put us to death, but give us bread to eat, our lives will be preserved:

and if they kill us, we shall but die; which we must inevitably do, whether we stay here, or go into the city.

Gill: 2Ki 7:5 - And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians // and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria // behold, there was no man there

And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians,...., The dusk of the evening, or the evening twilight, as appears from 2Ki 7:9,

and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria; not the further part of it, but the edge or border of it nearest to them:

behold, there was no man there; no sentinel or guard, which they expected, and to whom they would have surrendered themselves.

Gill: 2Ki 7:6 - For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host // and they said one to another, lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites // and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us

For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host,.... Or of many armies, as the Targum; either in the air by the ministry of angels; or the Lord so wrought upon their imagination, that they fancied they heard such noises; or he caused such noises in their ears:

and they said one to another, lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites; one of the nations of the Canaanites, and may be here put for the whole of those that remained, and who lived upon the borders of the land of Israel; though Josephus ^y has it, the kings of the isles; that is, of Chittim, see Jer 2:10.

and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us; Egypt being now divided into petty kingdoms; or else the governors of the several nomes or districts of it are here meant: for the king of Israel to hire these kings was very unlikely in his present circumstances; but those unreasonable things, in their panic, their imaginations suggested to them.

Gill: 2Ki 7:7 - Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight // and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses // even the camp as it was // and fled for their life

Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight,.... Or in the dark, as the Targum; when the twilight was going off; so that the lepers came very quickly after they were gone, 2Ki 7:5.

and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses; such was their fright, that they could not stay to loose their cattle, with which they might have made greater speed, but ran away on foot: and they left

even the camp as it was; took nothing away with them, either money or provisions:

and fled for their life; which they imagined to be in great danger.

Gill: 2Ki 7:8 - And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent // and did eat and drink // and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it // and came again and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it

And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent,.... The first they came to:

and did eat and drink; which was the first thing they did, being hungry, and almost starved:

and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; in a place without the camp, where they thought it would be safe, and where they could come at it again:

and came again and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it; this, Josephus says ^z, they did four times.

Gill: 2Ki 7:9 - Then they said one to another, we do not well // this day is a day of good tidings // and we hold our peace // if we tarry till the morning light // some mischief will come upon us // now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household

Then they said one to another, we do not well,.... This is not right, to take this booty to ourselves; it is not doing justice to our brethren, and it may not prove well to ourselves in the issue:

this day is a day of good tidings; to be delivered from the enemy, and have such plenty of provisions thrown into their hands; it would be joyful tidings to the inhabitants of the city, did they know it:

and we hold our peace; and do not publish this good tidings, that others may share the benefit of it:

if we tarry till the morning light; when it will in course be discovered:

some mischief will come upon us; either from the Syrians, who they might fear would return by that time, or some of them lurking about would fall upon them and destroy them; or the king of Israel, when he came to know it, would be so incensed as to inflict some punishment on them; or they might expect some evil from the immediate hand of God:

now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household; acquaint some of his servants with what had happened.

Gill: 2Ki 7:10 - So they came and called to the porter of the city // and they told them // we came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man // but horses tied, and asses tied // and the tents as they were

So they came and called to the porter of the city,.... The chief of those that had the care of the gate of it; for there were more than one, as follows:

and they told them; the porter, and the watchmen with him:

we came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man; not one to be seen or heard:

but horses tied, and asses tied; to their mangers; the latter, as well as the former, were used for war, not only to carry burdens, but to fight upon, as Aelianus ^a relates of some people; and especially when there was a want of horses, as Strabo ^b; and both observe that this creature was sacrificed to Mars:

and the tents as they were; none of them struck, nor anything taken out of them.

Gill: 2Ki 7:11 - And he called the porters // and they told it to the king's house within

And he called the porters,.... The porter of the city called to the porters of the king's palace:

and they told it to the king's house within; to some of his domestic servants within the palace, and they reported it to the king.

Gill: 2Ki 7:12 - And the king arose in the night // and he said unto his servants, I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us // they know that we be hungry // therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field // saying, when they come out of the city // we shall catch them alive // and get into the city

And the king arose in the night,.... Upon the report made to him:

and he said unto his servants, I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us; taking it to be a stratagem of theirs to decoy them:

they know that we be hungry; and would be glad to come out of the city to get some food:

therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field; to make us believe that they have broke up the siege, and have deserted the camp, and are gone, when they only lie in ambush:

saying, when they come out of the city; which they supposed they would do through hunger:

we shall catch them alive; take them captive at once:

and get into the city; being open to let them out, and receive them on their return.

Gill: 2Ki 7:13 - And one of his servants answered and said, let some take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city // behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are left in it; behold, I say, they are even as the multitude of Israel that are consumed // and let us send and see

And one of his servants answered and said, let some take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city,.... Not having died through the famine as the rest:

behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are left in it; behold, I say, they are even as the multitude of Israel that are consumed; signifying, there was a like consumption among the horses as among the people, and they that remained were starving as they were; so that should those horses, and the men, fall into the hands of the Syrians, and perish, it would be no great matter; the loss would not be much, since they must perish if they continue in the city: according to the Vulgate Latin version, these five horses were all that were left:

and let us send and see; whether the report of the lepers is true or not.

Gill: 2Ki 7:14 - They took therefore two chariot horses // and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, go and see

They took therefore two chariot horses,.... Not five, but two only, and those the best, that drew in the king's chariot perhaps, and so were better fed, and fitter for this expedition:

and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, go and see; whether they are fled or not.