2 Kings 7:16

_THEY TOOK THEREFORE TWO CHARIOT HORSES; AND THE KING SENT AFTER THE HOST OF THE SYRIANS, SAYING, GO AND SEE._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

12-20 Here see the wants of Israel supplied in a way they little thought of, which should encourage us to depend upon the power and goodness of God in our greatest straits. God's promise may be safely relied on, for no word of his shall fall to the ground. The nobleman that questioned the truth of Elisha's word, saw the plenty, to silence and shame his unbelief, and therein saw his own folly; but he did not eat of the plenty he saw. Justly do those find the world's promises fail them, who think that the promises of God will disappoint them. Learn how deeply God resents distrust of his power, providence, and promise: how uncertain life is, and the enjoyments of it: how certain God's threatenings are, and how sure to come on the guilty. May God help us to inquire whether we are exposed to his threatenings, or interested in his promises....

EXPOSITION 2 KINGS 7:1 THE SIEGE OF SAMARIA (_continued_)_: _THE DELIVERANCE. 2 KINGS 7:1, 2 KINGS 7:2 The separation of these verses from the preceding narrative is most unfortunate. They are an integral part of it, and form its climax. In answer to the king's attempt upon his life, and hasty speech in which he has threatened to renounce Jehovah, Elisha is commissioned to proclaim that the siege is on the point of terminating, the famine about to be within twenty-four hours succeeded by a time of plenty. There is thu

AND THE PEOPLE WENT OUT AND SPOILED THE TENTS OF THE SYRIANS,.... Of their riches, and of their provisions; of which there was such a plenty, not only for present use, but for sale, SO THAT A MEASURE OF FINE FLOUR WAS SOLD FOR A SHEKEL, c. ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE LORD by Elisha, 2 Kings 7:1....

6. ELISHA'S PREDICTION AND ITS FULFILMENT CHAPTER 7 _ 1. Elisha's prediction (2 Kings 7:1)_ 2. The unbelieving lord (2 Kings 7:2) 3. The four lepers and their discovery (2 Kings 7:3) 4. The day of good tidings (2 Kings 7:9) 5. The prediction fulfilled (2 Kings 7:16) 6. The death of the unbelieving lord (2 Kings 7:19) When the worst had come, Samaria starving to death, the king in despondency, Elisha's life threatened, t

2 Kings 6:24 to 2 Kings 7:20. THE SIEGE OF SAMARIA. The date and source of this episode need discussion. The name of the king of Syria, as in 1 Kings 20, was Ben-hadad; the king of Israel is not named at all. Two Benhadads are possible, the king in 1 Kings 20 who was defeated by Ahab, and the son and successor of Hazael (2 Kings 13:24). If the first is meant, then Jehoram was king of Israel; if not, Jehoash, the grandson of Jehu. Elisha was called in the days of Ahab, and lived under Ahab and his two sons Ahaziah and Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Joash, dying under the last-named king. It is true that Elisha called the king this son of a murderer, which may be applicable to a son of Ahab; but son of may be used as the commo

_the people went out_ When the camp had been found empty, word was at once sent back into Samaria, while a portion of the exploring party advanced on the road to the Jordan. The whole population were encouraged by the news, and went out, as they were likely to do after being so long pent up, in full numbers. There was food to be had, and beside that, rich plunder. _according to the word of the Lord_ See above in verse 1 where Elisha describes the announcement he makes as -the word of the Lord"....

THE PEOPLE WENT OUT AND SPOILED THE TENTS OF THE SYRIANS— Thus did the Lord work a double miracle for his people; at once delivering them from the Syrians, and giving them an unexpected and sufficient supply for their necessities; fulfilling exactly the predictions of his prophet, and thus giving the highest authority to his mission. _Note;_ (1.) Not a tittle of God's word shall ever fail. O that we had but faith to trust him! (2.) Supported by past experience, let us never despair, but patiently wait the salvation of God!...

II. ELISHA'S PREDICTIVE MIRACLES 6:24-8:15 Three predictive miracles of Elisha are recorded in connection with this period of Aramean invasion: He predicted (1) the deliverance of Samaria from an Aramean siege (2 Kings 6:24 to 2 Kings 7:20); (2) a famine in Israel (2 Kings 8:1-6); and (3) the murderous career of Hazael (2 Kings 8:7-15). A. PREDICTION OF DELIVERANCE FOR SAMARIA 6:24-7:20 Several different stories connected with an Aramean siege of Samaria have been collected in 2 Kings 6:24 to...

THE RELIEF OF SAMARIA 1. A measure] HEB. a _SEAH_, EQUAL to 6 cabs, and rather less than 3 gallons. IN THE GATE OF SAMARIA] The open space at the gate of an Eastern city served as a market-place!...