CHAPTER VII _Elisha foretells abundant relief to the besieged inhabitants_ _of Samaria_, 1. _One of the lords questions the possibility of it; and is_ _assured that he shall see it on the morrow, but not taste_ _of it_, 2. _Four lepers, perishing with hunger, go to the camp of the_ _Syrians t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Kings 7:2. _THEN A LORD_] שליש _shalish_. This word, as a name of _office_, occurs often, and seems to point out one of the highest offices in the state. So unlikely was this prediction to be fulfilled, that he thought God must pour out wheat and barley from heaven before it could have a lit... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Kings 7:5. _THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE CAMP_] Where the Syrian advanced guards should have been.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Kings 7:6. _THE LORD HAD MADE THE - SYRIANS TO HEAR A NOISE_] This threw them into confusion; they imagined that they were about to be attacked by powerful auxiliaries, which the king of Israel had hired against them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Kings 7:12. _THE KING AROSE IN THE NIGHT_] This king had made a noble defence; he seems to have shared in all the sufferings of the besieged, and to have been ever at his post. Even in vile Ahab there were some good things! _THEY KNOW THAT WE_ BE _HUNGRY_] This was a very natural conclusion... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Kings 7:13. _AND ONE OF HIS SERVANTS ANSWERED_] This is a very difficult verse, and the great variety of explanations given of it cast but little light on the subject. I am inclined to believe, with Dr. _Kennicott_, that there is an interpolation here which puzzles, if not destroys, the sens... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Kings 7:14. _THEY TOOK - TWO CHARIOT HORSES_] They had at first intended to send _five_; probably they found on examination that only two were effective. But if they sent two chariots, each would have two horses, and probably a single horse for crossing the country.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Kings 7:15. _ALL THE WAY_ WAS _FULL OF GARMENTS AND VESSELS_] A manifest proof of the hurry and precipitancy with which they fled.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Kings 7:17. _AND THE PEOPLE TRODE UPON HIM_] This officer being appointed by the king to have the command of the _gate_, the people rushing _out_ to get spoil, and _in_ to carry it to their houses, he was borne down by the multitude and trodden to death. This also was foreseen by the spirit... [ Continue Reading ]