1 Kings 8:37

If there be in the land famine In this verse the king gathers together various judgements which God had threatened on His people if they sinned. For famine cf. Leviticus 26:20; Deuteronomy 11:17: for blasting and mildew, Deuteronomy 28:22; for locust, Deuteronomy 28:38. The particular insect rendered -caterpillar" in this verse is not mentioned in the Pentateuch, but we know from Joel 2:25, that some other kind, or stage of development, of locust is meant by it. In Deuteronomy 28:42 we have mention of an insect, also rendered -locust," which has a different name in the original from that spoken of in 1 Kings 8:38 of the same chapter. The siege by an enemy is threatened in Deuteronomy 28:52.

in the land of their cities The Hebrew word translated -cities" usually signifies -gates," and it is so rendered Deuteronomy 28:52 -He shall besiege thee in all thy gates." But in -gates" the -cities," which alone possessed them, are implied. The LXX. and other versions have -in one of their cities." The Vulg. has -gates."