2 Kings 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._ 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....

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....

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 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. z Ut supra, (Antiqu. l. 9. c. 4.) sect. 5....

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

UTTERMOST. outermost....

_they went into one tent, and did eat and drink_ Hunger asserted the first claim; that satisfied, they began to think how they might make most gain for themselves, by hiding a store of the deserted wealth; and this they did till their consciences smote them for their selfishness....

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!...