2 Kings 7

2 Kings 7:1

7:1, 2 Elisha then made a remarkable prediction to the king. He promised that the next day fine flour and . . . barley would be sold at very low prices at the gate of Samaria. When the king’s skeptical aide questioned the likelihood of such incredible plenty, Elisha added that he would see it with his eyes, but would not eat of it. “If you would believe,” writes Moody, “you must crucify the question, ‘how?’” (cf. our Lord’s disciples before the feeding of the 4000 in Mar_8:4). 7:3-7 That evening four leprous men who sat at the . . . gate of Samaria decided in desperation to desert to the camp of the Syrians in hope of getting food. When they arrived, the Syrian camp was abandonedthe LORD had caused the enemy forces to hear the noise of a mighty onrushing army. Supposing it to be Hittites and Egyptian soldiers hired by the king of Israel, they retreated in pandemonium. Matthew Henry comments: The Syrians that besieged Dothan had their sight imposed upon, ch. vi.18. These had their hearing imposed upon. . . . Whether the noise was really made in the air by the ministry of angels, or whether it was only a sound in their ears, is not certain; which soever it was, it was from God. 7:8-16 At first the lepers helped themselves liberally to food, money, and clothing. But realizing that the people would soon find out that the Syrians were gone and would punish them for their silence, they decided to notify the king. He immediately suspected the Syrians of laying an ambush for the Israelites. But a servant suggested sending a few men as scouts, reasoning that if they weren’t killed by the Syrians, they would die of starvation anyway like the rest of Israel. The scouts found that the Syrians had actually fled, leaving a trail of abandoned spoil. So the people of Israel plundered the tents of the Syrians, and the famine was over. 7:17-20 In accordance with the prophecy of Elisha, fine flour and barley . . . sold at very low prices that day. The king’s officer who had doubted the prediction saw this, but he did not enjoy it because he was trampled to death by the jubilant throng at the city gate. Verses 18-20 reemphasize that the man died according to the word of the Lord because of his unbelief. Unbelief robs its victims of blessing and rewards them with death. The memorable words of the lepers, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent” (v. 9), are a constant challenge to those of us who are entrusted with the gospel of redeeming grace.