2 Kings 5:24

when he came to the tower R.V. hill. The word (Heb., Ophel) is often used in connexion with the description of the wall of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 27:3; 2 Chronicles 33:14; Nehemiah 3:26-27; Nehemiah 11:21). From its use in Micah 4:8, of Mount Zion, the sense -hill" rather than -tower" appears well established. The margin of A.V., has here -secret place" as also the LXX., but that seems to have come from connecting the word with a root of slightly different consonants (אפל instead of עפל). The question arises: What hill is meant? And it appears best to understand it of some eminence near the house of Elisha. All Samaria was hilly in character (see 1 Kings 16:24). The narrative by this allusion to a locality, as though it were well known, shews its historic character, and appears to go back in its early form to close upon the date of the events.

he took them from their hand Though they were heavy enough for two men, yet he must contrive to carry them himself that he may attract less notice, and run no risk of being found out.