2 Kings 7:1-9
Flour for a Shekel
1Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’”
2But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.”
3Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate, and they said to one another, “Why just sit here until we die?
4If we say, ‘Let us go into the city,’ we will die there from the famine in the city; but if we sit here, we will also die. So come now, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.”
5So they arose at twilight and went to the camp of the Arameans. But when they came to the outskirts of the camp, there was not a man to be found.
6For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.”
7Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives.
8When the lepers reached the edge of the camp, they went into a tent to eat and drink. Then they carried off the silver, gold, and clothing, and went and hid them. On returning, they entered another tent, carried off some items from there, and hid them.
9Finally, they said to one another, “We are not doing what is right. Today is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until morning light, our sin will overtake us. Now, therefore, let us go and tell the king’s household.”
Berean Standard Bible
Elisha announces that by the next day flour and barley will be sold cheaply at Samaria's gate. An officer of the king hears the promise and says that even if the LORD opened windows in heaven, it could not happen. His disbelief is not merely private; he speaks from a position of authority while the city is desperate.
Four men with leprosy sit at the entrance of the gate. They know they will die if they stay, and they may die if they go to the Aramean camp. They choose to go, reasoning that surrender offers at least a possibility of life.
When they reach the camp, no one is there. The LORD has caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so they flee and leave their tents, horses, donkeys, and supplies behind. The lepers enter one tent, eat and drink, and carry away silver, gold, and clothing.
Then they stop and recognize that keeping silent is wrong. Good news has reached them, and it must reach the starving city. Their movement from fear to discovery to responsibility prepares the way for the promise's public fulfillment.
How We Know
This passage belongs to the historical and prophetic record of Israel's divided kingdom. Its named rulers, places, and prophetic actions are presented as part of that covenant history; Chronicles does not repeat every episode from Kings.
Questions
1 What does Elisha predict about the next day?
AnswerHe predicts that flour and barley will be sold cheaply at Samaria's gate by the following day.
2 Why do the four lepers go to the Aramean camp?
AnswerThey know staying at the gate means death, so they go to the camp hoping surrender might preserve their lives.
3 Why is the Aramean camp empty?
AnswerThe LORD makes the Arameans hear an approaching army, so they flee and leave their supplies behind.
4 Why do the lepers decide to return?
AnswerThey realize that keeping the news to themselves is wrong while the city remains hungry and in danger.
What This Means for Us
The officer treats an impossible promise as a reason to dismiss it, while the lepers take a risky step because remaining still offers no life. Neither group controls the outcome, but their responses reveal what they believe is possible.
When good news reaches you, ask who is still waiting outside the gate. Gratitude that never becomes generosity is incomplete; share what can help, and do not let your own relief make you forget people still in crisis.
Prayer
Lord, meet people who are waiting at the edge of hope. Give us courage to take wise steps, humility to recognize unexpected provision, and generosity that carries good news toward people who are still hungry. Amen.