2 Kings 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?_ 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. AT THE ENTERING IN OF THE GATE - living, perhaps, in some lazar-house there (Leviticus 13:4; Numbers 5:3)....

3-11 God can, when he pleases, make the stoutest heart to tremble; and as for those who will not fear God, he can make them fear at the shaking of a leaf. Providence ordered it, that the lepers came as soon as the Syrians were fled. Their consciences told them that mischief would befall them, if they took care of themselves only. Natural humanity, and fear of punishment, are powerful checks on the selfishness of the ungodly. These feelings tend to preserve order and kindness in the world; but they who have found the unsearchable riches of Christ, will not long delay to report the good tidings to others. From love to him, not from selfish feelings, they will gladly share their earthly good things with their brethren....

Verse 2 Kings 7:3. _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_. _AT THE ENTERING IN OF THE GATE_] They were not permitted to mingle in civil society....

The position of the lepers is in accordance with the Law of Moses (marginal references); and shows that the Law was still observed to some extent in the kingdom of Israel....

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 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, Leviticus 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 2 Kings 5:27 AND THEY SAID ONE TO ANOTHER, WHY SIT WE HERE UNTIL WE DIE? being ready to perish with hunger. x T. Bab. Sotah, fol. 47. 1. Sanhedrin, fol. 107. 2....

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

LEPROUS MEN. One of the nine cases of affliction with leprosy. See note on Exodus 4:6....

Four lepers discover that the Syrian camp is deserted, and bring word unto the city (Not in Chronicles) 3. at _the entering in of the gate_ Lepers were not allowed to come into the city even in the time of war. On this regulation concerning them see Leviticus 13:46; Numbers 5:2-3. _until we die_ As long as there had been enough, these lepers had their supply from friends in the city, but that had now come to an end. In such a dreadful famine the needs of the outcast lepers could be little regarded....