
Text -- 2 Kings 6:20-33 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: 2Ki 6:22 - -- It is against the laws of humanity, to kill captives, though thou thyself hast taken them with thy own sword and bow; which might seem to give thee so...
It is against the laws of humanity, to kill captives, though thou thyself hast taken them with thy own sword and bow; which might seem to give thee some colour to destroy them; but much more unworthy will it be in cold blood to kill these, whom not thy arms, but God's providence hath put into thy hands.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:22 - -- Give them meat and drink, which may refresh and strengthen them for their journey. This was an action of singular piety and charity, in doing good to ...
Give them meat and drink, which may refresh and strengthen them for their journey. This was an action of singular piety and charity, in doing good to their enemies, which was much to the honour of the true religion; and of no less prudence, that hereby the hearts of the Syrians might be mollified towards the Israelites.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:24 - -- hadad - He whom Ahab wickedly spared, now comes to requite his kindness, and to fulfil that Divine prediction.
hadad - He whom Ahab wickedly spared, now comes to requite his kindness, and to fulfil that Divine prediction.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:24 - -- hadad was a name very frequent among the kings of Syria, if not common to them all.
hadad was a name very frequent among the kings of Syria, if not common to them all.

Probably the siege was so sudden, that they had no time to lay in provisions.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:25 - -- Supposed to be shekels; and the common shekel being valued at fifteen pence of English money, this amounts to five pounds. A vast price, especially fo...
Supposed to be shekels; and the common shekel being valued at fifteen pence of English money, this amounts to five pounds. A vast price, especially for that which had on it so little meat, and that unwholesome and unclean.

A measure containing twenty - four eggs.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:25 - -- This Hebrew word is of a doubtful signification, and no where else used, probably it means a sort of pease, which in the Arabick language (near a - ki...
This Hebrew word is of a doubtful signification, and no where else used, probably it means a sort of pease, which in the Arabick language (near a - kin to the Hebrew) is called doves dung: for this was a food much in use amongst the poorer Israelites, and was a very coarse food, and therefore fit to be joined with the asses head: and a kab was the usual measure of all sorts of grains and fruits of that sort.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:27 - -- Dost thou ask of me corn or wine, which I want for myself? If God does not, I cannot help thee. Creatures are helpless things without God. Every creat...
Dost thou ask of me corn or wine, which I want for myself? If God does not, I cannot help thee. Creatures are helpless things without God. Every creature is all that, and only that which God makes it to be.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:29 - -- A dreadful judgment threatened to them in case of their apostacy, Deu 28:56-57, in which they were now deeply plunged.
A dreadful judgment threatened to them in case of their apostacy, Deu 28:56-57, in which they were now deeply plunged.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:31 - -- _Because he had encouraged them to withstand the Syrians, by promising them help from God.
_Because he had encouraged them to withstand the Syrians, by promising them help from God.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:32 - -- The genuine son of that wicked Ahab the murderer of the Lord's prophets. This expression may seem very harsh and unfit; nor is it to be drawn into imi...
The genuine son of that wicked Ahab the murderer of the Lord's prophets. This expression may seem very harsh and unfit; nor is it to be drawn into imitation by others: but it must be considered, that he was an extraordinary prophet, intrusted with a power in some sort superior to that of Joram, and had authority to control and rebuke him in the name of the king of kings.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:32 - -- That he may not break in upon me, and take away my life, before the king comes.
That he may not break in upon me, and take away my life, before the king comes.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:33 - -- Or, the king, who, though not here named, may be presumed to be present, both by the prophet's prediction of his speedy coming, and by the presence of...
Or, the king, who, though not here named, may be presumed to be present, both by the prophet's prediction of his speedy coming, and by the presence of the lord, on whose hand the king leaned, 2Ki 7:2.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:33 - -- This dreadful famine, which is now so extreme, that women are forced to eat their own children.
This dreadful famine, which is now so extreme, that women are forced to eat their own children.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:33 - -- Hath inflicted it, and (for ought I see) he will not remove it. All penal evil is of the Lord, as the first cause and sovereign judge. And this we oug...
Hath inflicted it, and (for ought I see) he will not remove it. All penal evil is of the Lord, as the first cause and sovereign judge. And this we ought to apply to particular cases: if all evil, then this evil which we are groaning under. Whoever are the instruments, God is the principal agent.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:33 - -- Thou bidst me wait upon God for help: but I perceive I may wait long enough before deliverance comes: I am weary with waiting, I can wait no longer.
Thou bidst me wait upon God for help: but I perceive I may wait long enough before deliverance comes: I am weary with waiting, I can wait no longer.
JFB -> 2Ki 6:19-23; 2Ki 6:19-23; 2Ki 6:24; 2Ki 6:25; 2Ki 6:25; 2Ki 6:25; 2Ki 6:26; 2Ki 6:29; 2Ki 6:30; 2Ki 6:32
JFB: 2Ki 6:19-23 - -- This statement is so far true that, as he had now left the place of his residence, they would not have got him by that road. But the ambiguity of his ...
This statement is so far true that, as he had now left the place of his residence, they would not have got him by that road. But the ambiguity of his language was purposely framed to deceive them; and yet the deception must be viewed in the light of a stratagem, which has always been deemed lawful in war.

JFB: 2Ki 6:19-23 - -- When they were arrived in the midst of the capital, their eyes, at Elisha's request, were opened, and they then became aware of their defenseless cond...
When they were arrived in the midst of the capital, their eyes, at Elisha's request, were opened, and they then became aware of their defenseless condition, for Jehoram had received private premonition of their arrival. The king, so far from being allowed to slay the enemies who were thus unconsciously put in his power, was recommended to entertain them with liberal hospitality and then dismiss them to their own country. This was humane advice; it was contrary to the usage of war to put war captives to death in cold blood, even when taken by the point of the sword, much more those whom the miraculous power and providence of God had unexpectedly placed at his disposal. In such circumstances, kind and hospitable treatment was every way more becoming in itself, and would be productive of the best effects. It would redound to the credit of the true religion, which inspired such an excellent spirit into its professors; and it would not only prevent the future opposition of the Syrians but make them stand in awe of a people who, they had seen, were so remarkably protected by a prophet of the Lord. The latter clause of 2Ki 6:23 shows that these salutary effects were fully realized. A moral conquest had been gained over the Syrians.

JFB: 2Ki 6:24 - -- This was the predicted accomplishment of the result of Ahab's foolish and misplaced kindness (1Ki 20:42).
This was the predicted accomplishment of the result of Ahab's foolish and misplaced kindness (1Ki 20:42).

JFB: 2Ki 6:25 - -- Though the ass was deemed unclean food, necessity might warrant their violation of a positive law when mothers, in their extremity, were found violati...
Though the ass was deemed unclean food, necessity might warrant their violation of a positive law when mothers, in their extremity, were found violating the law of nature. The head was the worst part of the animal. Eighty pieces of silver, equal to £5 5s.

JFB: 2Ki 6:25 - -- A cab was the smallest dry measure. The proportion here stated was nearly half a pint for 12s. 6d.
A cab was the smallest dry measure. The proportion here stated was nearly half a pint for 12s. 6d.

JFB: 2Ki 6:25 - -- Is thought by BOCHART to be a kind of pulse or pea, common in Judea, and still kept in the storehouses of Cairo and Damascus, and other places, for th...
Is thought by BOCHART to be a kind of pulse or pea, common in Judea, and still kept in the storehouses of Cairo and Damascus, and other places, for the use of it by pilgrim-caravans; by LINNÆUS, and other botanists, it is said to be the root or white bulb of the plant Ornithogalum umbellatum, Star of Beth-lehem. The sacred historian does not say that the articles here named were regularly sold at the rates described, but only that instances were known of such high prices being given.

To look at the defenses, or to give some necessary orders for manning the walls.

JFB: 2Ki 6:30 - -- The horrid recital of this domestic tragedy led the king soon after to rend his garment, in consequence of which it was discovered that he wore a peni...
The horrid recital of this domestic tragedy led the king soon after to rend his garment, in consequence of which it was discovered that he wore a penitential shirt of haircloth. It is more than doubtful, however, if he was truly humbled on account of his own and the nation's sins; otherwise he would not have vowed vengeance on the prophet's life. The true explanation seems to be, that Elisha having counselled him not to surrender, with the promise, on condition of deep humiliation, of being delivered, and he having assumed the signs of contrition without receiving the expected relief, regarded Elisha who had proved false and faithless as the cause of all the protracted distress.

JFB: 2Ki 6:32 - -- The latter clause of 2Ki 6:33, which contains the king's impatient exclamation, enables us to account for the impetuous order he issued for the behead...
The latter clause of 2Ki 6:33, which contains the king's impatient exclamation, enables us to account for the impetuous order he issued for the beheading of Elisha. Though Jehoram was a wicked king and most of his courtiers would resemble their master, many had been won over, through the prophet's influence, to the true religion. A meeting, probably a prayer-meeting, of those was held in the house where he lodged, for he had none of his own (1Ki 19:20-21); and them he not only apprised of the king's design against himself, but disclosed to them the proof of a premeditated deliverance.
Clarke: 2Ki 6:20 - -- Open the eyes of these men - Take away their confusion of vision, that they may discern things as they are, and distinguish where they are.
Open the eyes of these men - Take away their confusion of vision, that they may discern things as they are, and distinguish where they are.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:21 - -- My father, shall I smite - This was dastardly; the utmost he could have done with these men, when thus brought into his hand, was to make them priso...
My father, shall I smite - This was dastardly; the utmost he could have done with these men, when thus brought into his hand, was to make them prisoners of war.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:22 - -- Whom thou hast taken captive - Those who in open battle either lay down their arms, or are surrounded, and have their retreat cut off, are entitled ...
Whom thou hast taken captive - Those who in open battle either lay down their arms, or are surrounded, and have their retreat cut off, are entitled to their lives, much more those who are thus providentially put into thy hand, without having been in actual hostility against thee. Give them meat and drink, and send them home to their master, and let them thus know that thou fearest him not, and art incapable of doing an ungenerous or unmanly action.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:23 - -- He prepared great provision for them - These, on the return to their master, could tell him strange things about the power of the God of Israel, and...
He prepared great provision for them - These, on the return to their master, could tell him strange things about the power of the God of Israel, and the magnanimity of its king

Clarke: 2Ki 6:23 - -- So the bands of Syria came no more - Marauding parties were no more permitted by the Syrian king to make inroads upon Israel. And it is very likely ...
So the bands of Syria came no more - Marauding parties were no more permitted by the Syrian king to make inroads upon Israel. And it is very likely that for some considerable time after this, there was no war between these two nations. What is mentioned in the next verse was more than a year afterwards.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:25 - -- And, behold, they besieged it - They had closed it in on every side, and reduced it to the greatest necessity
And, behold, they besieged it - They had closed it in on every side, and reduced it to the greatest necessity

Clarke: 2Ki 6:25 - -- An ass’ s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver - I suppose we are to take the ass’ s head literally; and if the head sold for so m...
An ass’ s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver - I suppose we are to take the ass’ s head literally; and if the head sold for so much, what must other parts sell for which were much to be preferred? The famine must be great that could oblige them to eat any part of an animal that was proscribed by the law; and it must be still greater that could oblige them to purchase so mean a part of this unclean animal at so high a price. The piece of silver was probably the drachm, worth about seven pence three farthings of our money; the whole amounting to about two pounds nine shillings

Clarke: 2Ki 6:25 - -- And the fourth part of a cab of dove’ s dung - The cab was about a quart or three pints. Dove’ s dung, חריונים chiriyonim . Wheth...
And the fourth part of a cab of dove’ s dung - The cab was about a quart or three pints. Dove’ s dung,
I should not omit saying that dove’ s dung is of great value in the East, for its power in producing cucumbers, melons, etc., which has induced many learned men to take the words literally. Bochart has exhausted this subject, and concludes that a kind of pulse is meant. Most learned men are of his opinion.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:27 - -- If the Lord do not help thee - Some read this as an imprecation, May God save thee not! how can I save thee?
If the Lord do not help thee - Some read this as an imprecation, May God save thee not! how can I save thee?

Clarke: 2Ki 6:29 - -- So we boiled my son - This is horrible; but for the sake of humanity we must allow that the children died through hunger, and then became food for t...
So we boiled my son - This is horrible; but for the sake of humanity we must allow that the children died through hunger, and then became food for their starved, desperate parents

Clarke: 2Ki 6:29 - -- She hath hid her son - He was already dead, says Jarchi; and she hid him, that she might eat him alone
This very evil Moses had foretold should come...
She hath hid her son - He was already dead, says Jarchi; and she hid him, that she might eat him alone
This very evil Moses had foretold should come upon them if they forsook God; see Deu 28:53-57. The same evil came upon this wretched people when besieged by Nebuchadnezzar; see Eze 5:10. And also when Titus besieged Jerusalem; see Josephus, De Bell. Judaic. lib. vi., cap. 3, and my notes on Mat 24:19.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:30 - -- He had sackcloth within upon his flesh - The king was in deep mourning for the distresses of the people.
He had sackcloth within upon his flesh - The king was in deep mourning for the distresses of the people.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:31 - -- If the head of Elisha - shall stand on him - Either he attributed these calamities to the prophet, or else he thought he could remove them, and yet ...
If the head of Elisha - shall stand on him - Either he attributed these calamities to the prophet, or else he thought he could remove them, and yet would not. The miserable king was driven to desperation.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:32 - -- This son of a murderer - Jehoram, the son of Ahab and Jezebel. But Ahab is called a murderer because of the murder of Naboth
This son of a murderer - Jehoram, the son of Ahab and Jezebel. But Ahab is called a murderer because of the murder of Naboth

Clarke: 2Ki 6:32 - -- Shut the door - He was obliged to make use of this method for his personal safety, as the king was highly incensed
Shut the door - He was obliged to make use of this method for his personal safety, as the king was highly incensed

Clarke: 2Ki 6:32 - -- The sound of his master’ s feet behind him? - That is, King Jehoram is following his messenger, that he may see him take off my head.
The sound of his master’ s feet behind him? - That is, King Jehoram is following his messenger, that he may see him take off my head.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:33 - -- Behold, this evil is of the Lord - It is difficult to know whether it be the prophet, the messenger, or the king, that says these words. It might be...
Behold, this evil is of the Lord - It is difficult to know whether it be the prophet, the messenger, or the king, that says these words. It might be the answer of the prophet from within to the messenger who was without, and who sought for admission, and gave his reason; to whom Elisha might have replied: "I am not the cause of these calamities; they are from the Lord; I have been praying for their removal; but why should I pray to the Lord any longer, for the time of your deliverance is at hand?"And then Elisha said, - see the following chapter, 2 Kings 7 (note), where the removal of the calamity is foretold in the most explicit manner; and indeed the chapter is unhappily divided from this. The seventh chapter should have begun with 2Ki 6:24 of this chapter, as, by the present division, the story is unnaturally interrupted
How natural is it for men to lay the cause of their suffering on any thing or person but themselves! Ahab’ s iniquity was sufficient to have brought down God’ s displeasure on a whole nation; and yet he takes no blame to himself, but lays all on the prophet, who was the only salt that preserved the whole nation from corruption. How few take their sins to themselves! and till they do this, they cannot be true penitents; nor can they expect God’ s wrath to be averted till they feel themselves the chief of sinners.
Defender: 2Ki 6:24 - -- This was a second Ben-hadad (compare 1Ki 20:1), and the events of this passage (2 Kings 6:24-7:16) probably took place several years after those of 1 ...
This was a second Ben-hadad (compare 1Ki 20:1), and the events of this passage (2 Kings 6:24-7:16) probably took place several years after those of 1 Kings 20:8-23."

Defender: 2Ki 6:29 - -- This unspeakable deed of cannibalistic infanticide illustrates the depths of depravity to which human beings can descend when they have more concern f...
This unspeakable deed of cannibalistic infanticide illustrates the depths of depravity to which human beings can descend when they have more concern for their own needs than concern for the Lord. It was actually a fulfillment of God's prophetic warning: "The tender and delicate woman among you, ... her eye shall be evil toward ... her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them ... in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates" (Deu 28:56, Deu 28:57)."
open the eyes : 2Ki 6:17; Luk 24:31
opened : Jdg 20:40-42; Luk 16:23

TSK: 2Ki 6:21 - -- My father : This was dastardlycaps1 . tcaps0 he utmost he ought to have done with these men, when thus brought into his hand, was to make them prison...

TSK: 2Ki 6:22 - -- wouldest : Deu 20:11-16; 2Ch 28:8-13
thy sword : Gen 48:22; Jos 24:12; Psa 44:6; Hos 1:7, Hos 2:18
set bread : Pro 25:21, Pro 25:22; Mat 5:44; Rom 12:...

TSK: 2Ki 6:23 - -- he prepared : 1Sa 24:17, 1Sa 24:18; 2Ch 28:15; Pro 25:21, Pro 25:22; Mat 5:47; Luk 6:35, Luk 10:29-37
So the bands : That is, for a considerable time....

TSK: 2Ki 6:24 - -- gathered : 2Ki 17:5, 2Ki 18:9, 2Ki 25:1; Deu 28:52; 1Ki 20:1, 1Ki 22:31; Ecc 9:14

TSK: 2Ki 6:25 - -- a great famine : 2Ki 6:28, 2Ki 6:29, 2Ki 7:4, 2Ki 25:3; 1Ki 18:2; Jer 14:13-15, Jer 14:18, Jer 32:24, Jer 52:6
an ass’ s head : If the pieces of ...
a great famine : 2Ki 6:28, 2Ki 6:29, 2Ki 7:4, 2Ki 25:3; 1Ki 18:2; Jer 14:13-15, Jer 14:18, Jer 32:24, Jer 52:6
an ass’ s head : If the pieces of silver were drachms , the whole would amount to about 2£ 9s; which was a great price for so mean a part of this unclean animal. Eze 4:13-16
dove’ s dung : This probably denotes, as Bochart, Scheuchzer, and others suppose, a kind of


TSK: 2Ki 6:27 - -- If the Lord : etc. or, Let not the Lord save thee
whence : Psa 60:11, Psa 62:8, Psa 118:8, Psa 118:9, Psa 124:1-3, Psa 127:1, Psa 146:3; Isa 2:2; Jer ...

TSK: 2Ki 6:28 - -- What aileth thee : Gen 21:17; Jdg 18:23; 1Sa 1:8; 2Sa 14:5; Psa 114:5; Isa 22:1
Give thy son : Lev 26:29; Deu 28:53-57; Isa 9:20, Isa 9:21, Isa 49:15;...


TSK: 2Ki 6:31 - -- God do so : Rth 1:17; 1Sa 3:17, 1Sa 14:44, 1Sa 25:22; 2Sa 3:9, 2Sa 3:35, 2Sa 19:13; 1Ki 2:23
if the head : 1Ki 18:17, 1Ki 19:2, 1Ki 22:8; Jer 37:15, J...

TSK: 2Ki 6:32 - -- the elders : Eze 8:1, Eze 14:1, Eze 20:1, Eze 33:31
ere the messenger : 2Ki 6:12, 2Ki 5:26
See ye how : Luk 13:32
son of a murderer : 1Ki 18:4, 1Ki 18...

TSK: 2Ki 6:33 - -- this evil is of the Lord : Gen 4:13; Exo 16:6-8; 1Sa 28:6-8, 1Sa 31:4; Job 1:11, Job 1:21, Job 2:5, Job 2:9; Pro 19:3; Isa 8:21; Jer 2:25; Eze 33:10; ...
this evil is of the Lord : Gen 4:13; Exo 16:6-8; 1Sa 28:6-8, 1Sa 31:4; Job 1:11, Job 1:21, Job 2:5, Job 2:9; Pro 19:3; Isa 8:21; Jer 2:25; Eze 33:10; Mat 27:4, Mat 27:5; 2Co 2:7, 2Co 2:11; Rev 16:9-11
wait for the : Psa 27:14, Psa 37:7, Psa 37:9, Psa 62:5; Isa 8:17, Isa 26:3, Isa 50:10; Lam 3:25, Lam 3:26; Hab 2:3; Luk 18:1

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: 2Ki 6:21 - -- My father - A term of respect used by Jehoram in his joy at seeing an army of Syrians delivered up to him by the prophet. That the king’ s...
My father - A term of respect used by Jehoram in his joy at seeing an army of Syrians delivered up to him by the prophet. That the king’ s character was not changed appears from 2Ki 6:31-32.
Shall I smite them? shall I smite them? - The repetition of the words mean, "Shall I utterly smite them?"Compare similar repetitions with similar meanings in Gen 22:17; Luk 22:15.

Barnes: 2Ki 6:22 - -- Wouldest thou smite ... - It is doubtful whether this sentence is really interrogative. Others translate - "Smite those whom thou hast taken ca...
Wouldest thou smite ... - It is doubtful whether this sentence is really interrogative. Others translate - "Smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword,"etc. A contrast is intended between ordinary captives - those made with the sword and bow - and these particular prisoners who have been given into the king’ s hand by God. The former, Jehoram is told, he may slay, if he pleases Deu 20:13, the latter, he is informed, he must not slay (compare the marginal reference).

Barnes: 2Ki 6:23 - -- Jehoram did not merely follow the letter of the prophet’ s direction, but understood its spirit and acted accordingly. The plundering bands whi...
Jehoram did not merely follow the letter of the prophet’ s direction, but understood its spirit and acted accordingly. The plundering bands which had been in the habit of ravaging the territory 2Ki 5:2 ceased their incursions in consequence either of the miracle, or of the kind treatment which Elisha had recommended.

Barnes: 2Ki 6:24 - -- After this - Perhaps some years after - when the miracle and the kind treatment were alike forgotten.
After this - Perhaps some years after - when the miracle and the kind treatment were alike forgotten.

Barnes: 2Ki 6:25 - -- As the donkey was "unclean,"it would not be eaten except in the last resort; and its head would be its worst and cheapest part. Cab - This mea...
As the donkey was "unclean,"it would not be eaten except in the last resort; and its head would be its worst and cheapest part.
Cab - This measure is not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. According to the rabbinical writers it was the smallest of all the dry measures in use among the Jews, being the sixth part of a seah, which was the third part of an ephah. If it was about equal to two of our quarts, the "fourth part of a cab"would be about a pint.
Dove’ s dung - Most commentators understand by this expression a sort of pulse which is called "dove’ s dung,"or "sparrow’ s dung"in Arabic. But it is possible that the actual excrement of pigeons is meant. The records of sieges show that both animal and human excrement have been used as food - under circumstances of extreme necessity.

Barnes: 2Ki 6:26 - -- The walls of fortified towns had a broad space at the top, protected toward the exterior by battlements, along which the bulk of the defenders were ...
The walls of fortified towns had a broad space at the top, protected toward the exterior by battlements, along which the bulk of the defenders were disposed, and from which they hurled their missiles and shot their arrows. The king seems to have been going his rounds, to inspect the state of the garrison and the defenses.

Barnes: 2Ki 6:27 - -- If the Lord do not help - The translation in the text is decidedly better than the marginal rendering. Some prefer to render - "Nay ... let Jeh...
If the Lord do not help - The translation in the text is decidedly better than the marginal rendering. Some prefer to render - "Nay ... let Jehovah help thee. Whence, shall I help thee?"
Out of the barnfloor ... - The king means that both were empty - that he had no longer any food in store; and therefore could not help the woman. Compare Hos 9:2.

Barnes: 2Ki 6:28 - -- The king had assumed that the cry of the woman was for food. Her manner indicated that it was not so. He therefore proceeded to inquire what she wan...
The king had assumed that the cry of the woman was for food. Her manner indicated that it was not so. He therefore proceeded to inquire what she wanted of him.
This woman - Both women, it would seem, were present; and the aggrieved one pointed to the other.

Barnes: 2Ki 6:29 - -- The prophecy alluded to in the marginal references was now fulfilled, probably for the first time. It had a second accomplishment when Jerusalem was...
The prophecy alluded to in the marginal references was now fulfilled, probably for the first time. It had a second accomplishment when Jerusalem was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar Lam 4:10, and a third in the final siege of the same city by Titus.

Barnes: 2Ki 6:30 - -- Sackcloth - Jehoram hoped perhaps to avert Yahweh’ s anger, as his father had done 1Ki 21:29. But there was no spirit of self-humiliation,...

Barnes: 2Ki 6:31 - -- God do so ... - Jehoram uses almost the very words of his wicked mother, when she sought the life of Elijah (marginal reference). The head...
God do so ... - Jehoram uses almost the very words of his wicked mother, when she sought the life of Elijah (marginal reference).
The head of Elisha - Beheading was not an ordinary Jewish punishment. The Law did not sanction it. But in Assyria, Babylonia, and generally through the East, it was the most conmon form of capital punishment. It is not quite clear why Elisha was to be punished. Perhaps Jehoram argued from his other miracles that he could give deliverance from the present peril, if he liked.

Barnes: 2Ki 6:32 - -- But Elisha sat ... - Translate, "And Elisha was sitting in his house, and all the elders were sitting with him, when the king sent, etc." The "...
But Elisha sat ... - Translate, "And Elisha was sitting in his house, and all the elders were sitting with him, when the king sent, etc."
The "elders,"- either "the elders of the city"or "the elders of the land,"- who may have been in session at Samaria now, as they had been at the time of a former siege 1Ki 20:7 - had gone to Elisha for his advice or assistance. Their imminent peril drove them to acknowledge the power of Yahweh, and to consult with His prophet.
This son of a murderer - i. e. of Ahab, the murderer, not only of Naboth, but also of all the prophets of the Lord (marginal reference), whom be allowed Jezebel to slay.
Hold him fast at the door - The elders, public officials, not private friends of Elisha, could not have been expected to resist the entrance of the executioner at the mere request of the prophet. He therefore assigns a reason for his request - "the king is coming in person, either to confirm or revoke his order - will they detain the headsman until his arrival?"

Barnes: 2Ki 6:33 - -- The messenger - It has been proposed to change "messenger"into "king,"the two words being in Hebrew nearly alike, and the speech with which the...
The messenger - It has been proposed to change "messenger"into "king,"the two words being in Hebrew nearly alike, and the speech with which the chapter ends being considered only suitable in the mouth of the king, whose presence is indicated in 2Ki 7:2, 2Ki 7:17. Others think that the words "and the king after him"have fallen out of the text.
Came down - The messenger came down from off the wall to the level of the streets.
Behold this evil ... - Jehoram bursts into the prophet’ s presence with a justification of the sentence 2Ki 6:31 he has pronounced against him. "Behold this evil - this siege with all its horrors - is from Yahweh - from Yahweh, Whose prophet thou art. Why should I wait for Yahweh - temporize with Him - keep as it were, on terms with Him by suffering thee to live - any longer? What hast thou to say in arrest of judgment?"
Poole: 2Ki 6:21 - -- Elisha had doubtless sent notice of his intentions to
the king of Israel , that he might accordingly prepare himself.
My father: now he gives him...
Elisha had doubtless sent notice of his intentions to
the king of Israel , that he might accordingly prepare himself.
My father: now he gives him this title of reverence and affection, because of a great and present benefit he received from him; though otherwise he hated him, and would not hearken to his counsel.
Shall I smite them? the repetition of the question shows his great desire to smite them, and that with utter destruction.

Poole: 2Ki 6:22 - -- It is against the laws of humanity, and custom of war, to kill captives, though thou thyself hast taken them with thy own sword and bow, which may s...
It is against the laws of humanity, and custom of war, to kill captives, though thou thyself hast taken them with thy own sword and bow, which may seem to give thee some colour of right to destroy them; but much more unworthy will it be in cold blood to kill these, whom not thy arms, but God’ s miraculous providence, hath put into thy hands.
Set bread and water before them i.e. give them meat and drink, which may refresh and strengthen them for their charity, in doing good to their enemies, which was much to the honour of the true religion; and of no less prudence, that hereby the hearts of the Syrians might be both mollified towards the Israelites, and afraid to oppose that people who had such an invincible Protector.

Poole: 2Ki 6:23 - -- He sent them away refreshed, but disarmed, as is most probable.
The bands of Syria came no more either,
1. In such a manner, to wit, in small band...
He sent them away refreshed, but disarmed, as is most probable.
The bands of Syria came no more either,
1. In such a manner, to wit, in small bands, or companies, which might be entrapped, as these had been; but their next attempt was by all open and solemn war, and a conjunction of all their forces, which they still ridiculously conceited would be too hard for the king, and prophet, and God of Israel, notwithstanding their multiplied experiences to the contrary. Or,
2. For some considerable time, until the terror of these examples was got out of their minds.

Poole: 2Ki 6:24 - -- He whom Ahab wickedly and foolishly spared, 1Ki 20:42 , who now comes to requite Ahab’ s kindness, and to fulfil that Divine prediction.
Ben-h...
He whom Ahab wickedly and foolishly spared, 1Ki 20:42 , who now comes to requite Ahab’ s kindness, and to fulfil that Divine prediction.
Ben-hadad was a name very frequent among the kings of Syria, 1Ki 15:18 2Ki 13:3,24 , if not common to them all. See Jer 49:27 Amo 1:4 .

Poole: 2Ki 6:25 - -- Pieces of silver supposed to be shekels; and the common shekel being valued at fifteen pence of English money, this amounts to five pounds; a vast pr...
Pieces of silver supposed to be shekels; and the common shekel being valued at fifteen pence of English money, this amounts to five pounds; a vast price, especially for that which had on it so little meat, and that unwholesome, and unclean by law, Lev 11:3 ; though necessity might seem to excuse their violation of that law.
A cab a measure containing twenty-four eggs.
Dove’ s dung which they used not for fire, (for he is speaking here only of the scarcity of food,) but for food; which, if it seem incredible, it must be considered, first, That famine hath constrained people to eat things as improper and unfit for nourishment as this, as dry leather, and man’ s dung, as is implied Isa 36:12 , and affirmed by grave historians. Secondly, That some creatures do usually eat the dung of others. Thirdly, That doves’ dung, though it be hotter than ordinary, might in other respects be fitter for nourishment than other, as being made of the best and purest grains, and having some moisture in it, &c. Fourthly, That this Hebrew word being of an obscure and doubtful signification, and no where else used, may be, and is by learned men, otherwise rendered and understood; either, first, of the corn which is found in the crops of doves; or, secondly, of the guts and other inwards of doves; or rather, thirdly, of a sort of cicer or pease , which in the Arabic language (which is near akin to the Hebrew, and from which many words are explained) is called dove’ s dung ; for this was a food much in use amongst the poorer Israelites, and was by all esteemed a very coarse food, and therefore fit to be joined with an ass’ s head; and a cab was the usual measure of all sorts-of grains and fruits of that sort.

Poole: 2Ki 6:26 - -- Passing by upon the wall, to give necessary order for the defence of the city against assaults, and to see if the several guards were watchful and d...
Passing by upon the wall, to give necessary order for the defence of the city against assaults, and to see if the several guards were watchful and diligent, and if his directions were executed, and to observe the motions of the enemy.

Poole: 2Ki 6:27 - -- If the Lord do not help thee or, let not God help thee , as some both ancient and late interpreters render the words. So they are words of impatienc...
If the Lord do not help thee or, let not God help thee , as some both ancient and late interpreters render the words. So they are words of impatience, and rage, and a formal curse, wishing that God would not help her, as he could not, as Josephus, amongst others, understand it; which agrees too well with the character of the man, an infidel, and an idolater, and a wicked man, and at this time in a great rage, as appears from 2Ki 6:31 . Or they may be rendered thus, No; (as this Hebrew particle is sometimes used, as Job 20:17 Psa 24:5 Psa 41:2 50:3 Pro 3:3,5 31:4 ) let the Lord help thee . So it may be taken, either, first, As a direction: No; do not cry to me, but to God, for help: God help thee, for I cannot. Or rather, secondly, As a profane scoff: No; come not to me, but go to him to whom Elisha directs you; pray to the Lord: you see how ready he is to help you, by his suffering you to come to this extremity; wait upon God for relief, as Elisha adviseth me; but I will wait no longer for him, 2Ki 6:33 , and I will take a course with Elisha for thus abusing both me and my people with vain hopes. Or thus, The Lord (on whom forsooth thou and I are commanded to wait for help) will not help thee , as he could easily do, and would do, if he were so good as Elisha pretends; whence then shall I help thee ?
Out of the barn-floor, or out of the winepress? Dost thou ask of me corn or wine, which I want for myself?

Poole: 2Ki 6:29 - -- We boiled my son, and did eat him a dreadful judgment, threatened to them in case of their apostacy, Deu 28:56,57 , in which they were now deeply plu...
We boiled my son, and did eat him a dreadful judgment, threatened to them in case of their apostacy, Deu 28:56,57 , in which they were now deeply plunged. Compare Eze 5:10 .
She hath hid her son either that she might eat him alone; or rather, that she might save him from death; her bowels yearning towards him, and her hunger being in great measure satisfied.

Poole: 2Ki 6:30 - -- If I do not this day take his head and life. This wretched and partial prince overlooks his own great and various sins, and, amongst others, his obs...
If I do not this day take his head and life. This wretched and partial prince overlooks his own great and various sins, and, amongst others, his obstinate cleaving to the idolatry of the calves, and the whoredoms and witchcrafts of his mother Jezebel, 2Ki 9:22 , and the wickedness of his people, which was the true and proper cause of this and all their calamities; and lays the blame of all upon Elisha; either supposing that he who had the spirit of Elijah resting upon him, had brought this famine by his prayers, as Elijah had formerly done, 1Ki 17:1 ; or because he had encouraged them to withstand the Syrians, by promising them help from God in due time; or because he would not, by his intercession to God and the working of a miracle, deliver them from these calamities, as he easily could have done. But he did not consider that the prophets could not work what miracles and when they pleased, but only as far as God saw fit, whose time was not yet come; otherwise it was Elisha’ s interest as well as theirs to be freed from this distress.

Poole: 2Ki 6:31 - -- If I do not this day take his head and life. This wretched and partial prince overlooks his own great and various sins, and, amongst others, his ob...
If I do not this day take his head and life. This wretched and partial prince overlooks his own great and various sins, and, amongst others, his obstinate cleaving to the idolatry of the calves, and the whoredoms and witchcrafts of his mother Jezebel, 2Ki 9:22 , and the wickedness of his people, which was the true and proper cause of this and all their calamities; and lays the blame of all upon Elisha; either supposing that he who had the spirit of Elijah resting upon him, had brought this famine by his prayers, as Elijah had formerly done, 1Ki 17:1 ; or because he had encouraged them to withstand tim Syrians, by promising them help from God in due time; or because he would not, by his intercession to God and the working of a miracle, deliver them from these calamities, as he easily could have done. But he did not consider that the prophets could not work what miracles and when they pleased, but only as far as God saw fit, whose time was not yet come; otherwise it was Elisha’ s interest as well as theirs to be freed from this distress.

Poole: 2Ki 6:32 - -- In his house in the house where he lodged; for he had no house of his own, having forsaken all when he followed Elijah, 1Ki 19:20,21 .
The elders s...
In his house in the house where he lodged; for he had no house of his own, having forsaken all when he followed Elijah, 1Ki 19:20,21 .
The elders so they might be called, either, first, from their age; or rather, secondly, from their office, which was either ecclesiastical or civil: so they were either the sons of the prophets; or rather, some godly men who were then in some power and office, either in the court, or army, or city, as may seem probable from what he requires of them. And though Jehoram was a wicked king, and most of his officers probably like himself; yet there were some of them, whom Elisha’ s holy life, and powerful ministry, and glorious miracles, and the great and public benefits procured by him, had won to God, and to the true religion, at least to the profession of it, among which Jehu might be one: and these were here sitting with him, either to receive comfort and counsel from him in this distressed time, or rather to solicit him to use his power with God for their relief; which accordingly he doth, and in compliance with them, not out of any fear of the king, (from which he very well knew by frequent experience, and certain assurance, that God both could and would deliver him,) he gives the following answer, 2Ki 7:1 .
A man from before him or, one of them who stood before his face , one of his guard, or some other officer, to take away his head, as it follows.
He said to the elders being admonished by God of his danger.
This son of a murderer the genuine son of that wicked Ahab the murderer of the Lord’ s prophets, 1Ki 18:4 21:9 ; whose son he is not by birth only, but also by his manners and bloody disposition. Compare Joh 8:44 . This expression may seem very harsh and unfit; nor is it to be drawn into imitation by others; but it must be considered that he was an extraordinary prophet, intrusted with a power in some sort superior to that of Jehoram, and had authority to control and rebuke him in the name of the King of kings.
To take away mine head to kill me, before he hear what I have to say.
Hold him fast not the king, but the messenger, who was last mentioned; that he may not break in upon me, and take away my life, before the king comes.
Is not the sound of his master’ s feet behind him? you shall not need to hold him long, for the king is just at his heels, coming, as is probable, either to recall his rash and furious sentence, or at least to debate the matter with the prophet, and to procure relief.

Poole: 2Ki 6:33 - -- Unto him to wit, to the door, where also we are to understand that he was held fast, that he could not come at the prophet till the king came, as the...
Unto him to wit, to the door, where also we are to understand that he was held fast, that he could not come at the prophet till the king came, as the prophet had commanded them to do.
He said either, first, The messenger, in the king’ s name and words. Or, secondly, The king himself, who, though not here named, may be presumed to be present, both by the prophet’ s prediction of his speedy coming, and by the presence of the lord on whose hand the king leaned , 2Ki 7:2 . This evil; this dreadful famine, which is now so extreme that women are forced to eat their own children.
Is of the Lord he hath inflicted it, and (for aught that I see) he will not remove it. Thus he lays all the blame upon God, not, as he ought, upon his own and his mother’ s wickedness, which provoked God, who doth not willingly afflict, to send this heavy judgment upon him.
What should I wait for the Lord any longer? thou biddest me wait upon God for help; but I perceive I may wait long enough before deliverance comes; I am weary with waiting, I can wait no longer.
Haydock: 2Ki 6:22 - -- For thou. Hebrew, "Dost thou kill, &c.?" If those who have surrendered themselves in battle be often spared, though they might be slain by the stri...
For thou. Hebrew, "Dost thou kill, &c.?" If those who have surrendered themselves in battle be often spared, though they might be slain by the strict laws of war, how much less ought these men to be treated with such severity? (Calmet) ---
Sicut bellanti & resistenti violentia redditur: ita victo vel capto misericorida jam debetur. (St. Augustine, ep. 1. ad Bonif.) (Grotius) ---
And water, all necessary provisions. (Worthington) ---
These men were suffered to live that they might relate the wonders of God. (Theodoret, q. 20.)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:23 - -- Meats. So the apostle orders us to treat our enemies, Romans xii. 20. ---
The robbers, these soldiers, who were dismissed. (Haydock) ---
No more...
Meats. So the apostle orders us to treat our enemies, Romans xii. 20. ---
The robbers, these soldiers, who were dismissed. (Haydock) ---
No more, ( ultra ) or, "no farther." (Haydock) during this war, or in small troops; but, a little later, Benadad came with all his forces to besiege Samaria. (Tirinus) ---
He was enraged at Eliseus and Joram, as if they despised his power. (Salien)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:25 - -- In Samaria. It had raged in all the country above three years, (Salien) and continued other four, chap. viii. 1. The continuance of the siege added...
In Samaria. It had raged in all the country above three years, (Salien) and continued other four, chap. viii. 1. The continuance of the siege added fresh horrors. ---
Pieces is not expressed in Hebrew: a sicle is understood. (Haydock) ---
Lyranus supposes that the whole ass was sold for about 38 crowns, (Haydock) or 130 livres; as we say commonly, "so much a head." But interpreters generally assert that the price of the head alone is given; which shews more forcibly the greatness of the famine. On other occasions the animal could not be eaten by the Jews. Artaxerxes was forced to kill his beasts of burden; and an ass's head was then sold for 60 drachms, or 25 livres. When Hannibal besieged Casilinum, a mouse (or rat) was sold for above 70, or for 200 denari. (Pliny, [Natural History?] viii. 57.) (V. Max. vii. 6, 3.) ---
Cabe. Sufficient measure of corn for a man's daily sustenance. (Menochius) ---
The fourth part would be about a gill. (Haydock) ---
Dung. Bochart maintains that "chick-peas" are designated. The Arabic usnen and kali, "pigeon or sparrows' dung," are real eatables. Those who suppose that the Samaritans bought the dung of pigeons to use as salt or for food, or to burn, or to manure the earth, &c., produce not satisfactory reasons; no more than the Rabbins, who pretend that the corn which they had picked up was taken from their crop. (Tr. Megil. 3., and the Scholastic History.) Junius and Fuller would translate "belly," which is refuted by Bochart. (Anim. T. ii. B. i. 7.) Very disgusting things have often been used through extreme hunger, (Grotius) and some sort of birds' dung is said to fatten oxen and swine. (Varro 38.; Pliny xvii. 9.) ---
But what nutriment can there be in that of pigeons, that people should go to buy it? (Calmet) ---
Houbigant understands a sort of peas is meant. (Haydock) ---
The Hebrews called them kali when they were parched; and such food was very common, 2 Kings xvii. 28. (Bellon. ii. 53, and 99.) (Calmet)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:29 - -- Eat him. Strange cruelty! foretold [in] Deuteronomy xxviii. 53, and again verified at Jerusalem, Ezechiel v. 10.
Eat him. Strange cruelty! foretold [in] Deuteronomy xxviii. 53, and again verified at Jerusalem, Ezechiel v. 10.

Haydock: 2Ki 6:30 - -- Passed by, without punishing such a horrid crime, as he esteemed his own sins the occasion of it. (Menochius) ---
Flesh. Behold the advantage to ...
Passed by, without punishing such a horrid crime, as he esteemed his own sins the occasion of it. (Menochius) ---
Flesh. Behold the advantage to be derived from afflictions! They make the most hardened enter into sentiments of humility and penance. (Calmet) ---
Abulensis thinks that God was pleased to cause the siege to be raised, to reward this act; as a similar one of Joram's father had merited a delay and mitigation of punishment, (Haydock) 3 Kings xxi. 27. (Salien)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:31 - -- Day. This was said in a fit of sudden passion, which may give us reason to conclude that the repentance was insincere, or of short duration. (Haydo...
Day. This was said in a fit of sudden passion, which may give us reason to conclude that the repentance was insincere, or of short duration. (Haydock) ---
The king supposed that he Eliseus could remedy the evil: but God was not moved by his prayers to grant such a favour, till all were convinced that human aid was fruitless. (Calmet) ---
The prophet might have answered Joram in the words of Elias, 3 Kings xviii. 18. (Menochius) ---
Probably he had dissuaded the king from making peace. (Tirinus)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:32 - -- Murderer. Achab had slain Naboth, and Jezabel had destroyed the prophets. (Calmet)
Murderer. Achab had slain Naboth, and Jezabel had destroyed the prophets. (Calmet)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:33 - -- And he, Joram, (Menochius, &c.) after (Haydock) his messenger. (Estius) (Piscator) ---
What, &c. All is desperate; (Calmet) our miseries cannot ...
And he, Joram, (Menochius, &c.) after (Haydock) his messenger. (Estius) (Piscator) ---
What, &c. All is desperate; (Calmet) our miseries cannot increase. (Menochius) ---
I have nothing now to fear or to hope for. (Salien)
Gill: 2Ki 6:20 - -- And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see,.... So as to know where ...
And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see,.... So as to know where they were:
and the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw, and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria; the gates being thrown open for them, and they led into the very heart of the city; for, no doubt, Elisha sent his servant before, to acquaint the king of Israel with what he was doing; who got a sufficient number of armed men to enclose them, and fall upon them, when put into his hands, as appears by what follows.

Gill: 2Ki 6:21 - -- And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them,.... The Syrian army thus in his hands:
my father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them...
And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them,.... The Syrian army thus in his hands:
my father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? he speaks with great reverence and respect to the prophet, whom at other times he neglected and despised; and the repetition of his words shows the eagerness of his mind to fall upon his enemy when they where at a disadvantage.

Gill: 2Ki 6:22 - -- And he answered, thou shalt not smite them,.... For they were not his, but the prophet's captives, or rather the Lord's:
wouldest thou smite those ...
And he answered, thou shalt not smite them,.... For they were not his, but the prophet's captives, or rather the Lord's:
wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? when soldiers are made prisoners of war, it is contrary to humanity, to the laws of nature and nations, to kill them in cold blood, and much more those who were taken not by his sword and bow, but by the power and providence of God:
set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master; the king of Syria, and report the miracles wrought, and the good usage they met with, when in the hand of an enemy, fed and let go; which would be more to the glory of the God of Israel, and more agreeable to the character of a king of Israel, reckoned merciful, and more serviceable to the civil good of the land of Israel, as well as more to the honour of the prophet and true religion, see Rom 12:20.

Gill: 2Ki 6:23 - -- And he prepared great provision for them,.... Or a great feast, as the Targum; so obedient was he to the prophet's orders:
and when they had eaten ...
And he prepared great provision for them,.... Or a great feast, as the Targum; so obedient was he to the prophet's orders:
and when they had eaten and drank; and refreshed themselves, which they needed, having marched all night and that morning from place to place:
he sent them away; that is, the king of Israel dismissed them:
and they went to their master; the king of Syria, but without the prophet Elisha they were sent to fetch:
so the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel; not as yet, or for some time; or rather the sense is, that the Syrians came not any more in small bodies, as troops of robbers making excursions, and carrying off booty in a private manner, and by surprise; but afterwards came with a large army in an open hostile manner, as follows.

Gill: 2Ki 6:24 - -- And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host,.... Still retaining a grudge and enmity against Israel, and not at ...
And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host,.... Still retaining a grudge and enmity against Israel, and not at all softened by the kind and humane treatment his forces had met with, when in the hands of Israel; and finding he could do nothing in a secret way, by ambush, mustered all his forces together, to try what he could by open war:
and went up, and besieged Samaria; Jehoram king of Israel not being able to stop him till he came to his capital, which he laid close siege to.

Gill: 2Ki 6:25 - -- And there was a great famine in Samaria,.... No care, perhaps, having been taken to lay up stores against a siege:
and, behold, they besieged it un...
And there was a great famine in Samaria,.... No care, perhaps, having been taken to lay up stores against a siege:
and, behold, they besieged it until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver; shekels, as the Targum explains the word in the next clause, which amounted to about nine or ten pounds of our money; a great price for the head of such a creature, by law unclean, its flesh disagreeable, and of that but very little, as is on an head:
and the fourth part of a cab of doves' dung for five pieces of silver; some of the Jewish writers say h, this was bought for fuel, which was scarce: Josephus says i, for salt, and so Procopious Gazaeus, and Theodoret; others, for dunging the lands, which is the use of it in Persia k for melons; neither of which are probable; most certainly it was for food; but as doves' dung must be not only disagreeable, but scarce affording any nourishment, something else must be meant; some have thought that the grains found in their crops, or in their excrements, undigested, and picked out, are meant; and others, their crops or craws themselves, or entrails; but Bochart l is of opinion, that a sort of pulse is meant, as lentiles or vetches, much the same with the kali or parched corn used in Israel, see 1Sa 17:17 and a recent traveller m observes, that the leblebby of the Arabs is very probably the kali, or parched pulse, of the Scriptures, and has been taken for the pigeons' dung mentioned at the siege of Samaria; and indeed as the "cicer" (a sort of peas or pulse) is pointed at one end, and acquires an ash colour by parching, the first of which circumstances answers to the figure, the other to the usual colour of pigeons' dung, the supposition is by no means to be disregarded: a "cab" was a measure with the Jews, which held the quantity of twenty four egg shells; according to Godwin n, it answered to our quart, so that a fourth part was half a pint; and half a pint of these lentiles, or vetches, or parched pulse, was sold for eleven or twelve shillings.

Gill: 2Ki 6:26 - -- And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, &c. To spy out the motion and situation of the enemy, and to give orders for the annoyance of ...
And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, &c. To spy out the motion and situation of the enemy, and to give orders for the annoyance of them, and to see that his soldiers did their duty:
there cried a woman to him, saying, help, my lord, O king; desired his assistance and help in a cause depending between her and another woman.

Gill: 2Ki 6:27 - -- And he said, if the Lord do not help thee, whence shall I help thee?.... Mistaking her meaning, as if she prayed him to relieve her hunger; the margin...
And he said, if the Lord do not help thee, whence shall I help thee?.... Mistaking her meaning, as if she prayed him to relieve her hunger; the margin of our Bible is, "let not the Lord save thee"; and so some understand it as a wish that she might perish; and so Josephus o, that being wroth, he cursed her in the name of God:
out of the barn floor, or out of the winepress? when neither of them afforded anything; no corn was to be had from the one, nor wine from the other, no, not for his own use, and therefore how could he help her out of either?

Gill: 2Ki 6:28 - -- And the king said unto her, what aileth thee?.... His passion subsiding, or pitying her as in distress, and supposing that there might be something pa...
And the king said unto her, what aileth thee?.... His passion subsiding, or pitying her as in distress, and supposing that there might be something particular and pressing in her case:
and she answered:
this woman said unto me; who was now with her, and to whom she pointed:
give thy son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow; and this was agreed to between them, that first one should be eaten, and then the other, and that they should feed upon one as long as it would last, and then on the other; for it is not to be limited precisely to a day and tomorrow.

Gill: 2Ki 6:29 - -- So we boiled my son, and did eat him,.... Thus what was predicted, by way of threatening, began to be accomplished, Deu 28:53; see Gill on Deu 28:53, ...
So we boiled my son, and did eat him,.... Thus what was predicted, by way of threatening, began to be accomplished, Deu 28:53; see Gill on Deu 28:53, and of which there were other instances of a like kind at the siege of Jerusalem, both by Nebuchadnezzar and Vespasian:
and I said unto her on the next day; after her child had been wholly ate up:
give thy son, that we may eat him; according to agreement:
and she hath hid her son; either to save him alive, or to eat him herself alone.

Gill: 2Ki 6:30 - -- And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes,.... At the horror of the fact reported, and through grief t...
And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes,.... At the horror of the fact reported, and through grief that his people were brought into such distress through famine:
and he passed by upon the wall; returning to his palace:
and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth upon his flesh; which, in token of humiliation for averting the calamities he was under, he had put there before, and now was seen through the rending of his clothes.

Gill: 2Ki 6:31 - -- Then he said, God do so and more also to me,.... He swore and made dreadful imprecations:
if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on h...
Then he said, God do so and more also to me,.... He swore and made dreadful imprecations:
if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day; imputing the sore famine to him, because he had foretold it, and did not pray for the removal of it, as he might; and perhaps had advised and encouraged the king to hold out the siege, which had brought them to this extremity, and therefore was enraged at him.

Gill: 2Ki 6:32 - -- And Elisha sat in his house,.... In Samaria:
and the elders sat with him; not the elders of the city, or the magistrates thereof, but his disciples...
And Elisha sat in his house,.... In Samaria:
and the elders sat with him; not the elders of the city, or the magistrates thereof, but his disciples, as Josephus says p, the eldest of them, whom he admitted to greater familiarity and converse with him:
and the king sent a man from before him; to execute what he had sworn should be done that day to the prophet:
but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, see ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? which he knew by a spirit of prophecy, and spoke of it before the executioner came; he calls Joram the son of a murderer, because of his mother Jezebel, who killed Naboth, and the prophets of the Lord, and to which his father Ahab also consented, and therefore might be so called too; and he intimates hereby that he was of the same temper and disposition, and as the above oath, and his orders, showed:
look when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door; and not suffer him to come in:
is not the sound of his master's feet behind him? that is, of Joram king of Israel, who followed the messenger, either to listen and hear what the prophet would say unto him; or repenting of his order, as Josephus q thinks, he followed him to prevent the execution.

Gill: 2Ki 6:33 - -- And while he yet talked with them,.... Elisha with the elders:
behold, the messenger came down unto him; sent by the king:
and he said; either t...
And while he yet talked with them,.... Elisha with the elders:
behold, the messenger came down unto him; sent by the king:
and he said; either the messenger in the king's name, or rather the king, who was at his heels, and came to the door before the messenger was let in, who was detained; and therefore it is most probable the king went in first; for that was the intention of Elisha in holding the messenger, not to save his own life, but that the king, who was following, might hear what he had to say; and whom he advised to wait for the Lord, and his appearance, for deliverance: in answer to which he said:
behold, this evil is of the Lord, what should I wait for the Lord any longer? this calamity is from him, and he is determined upon the ruin of my people, and there is no hope; this he said as despairing, and so resolving to hold out the siege no longer.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 2Ki 6:21 Heb “my father.” The king addresses the prophet in this way to indicate his respect. See 2 Kgs 2:12.

NET Notes: 2Ki 6:22 Heb “Are [they] ones you captured with your sword or your bow (that) you can strike (them) down?”




NET Notes: 2Ki 6:27 Heb “From where can I help you, from the threshing floor or the winepress?” The rhetorical question expresses the king’s frustration...

NET Notes: 2Ki 6:30 Heb “the people saw, and look, [there was] sackcloth against his skin underneath.”



Geneva Bible: 2Ki 6:21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, ( l ) My father, shall I smite [them]? shall I smite [them]?
( l ) The wicked use reverent...

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 6:23 And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria c...

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 6:25 And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was [sold] for fourscore [pieces] of silver, and the fourt...

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 6:27 And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the ( o ) barnfloor, or out of the winepress?
( o ) Meaning, any kind of ...

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 6:30 And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and,...

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 6:32 But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and [the king] sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the...

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 6:33 And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil [is] of the LORD; what ( r ) should I wait...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 2Ki 6:1-33
TSK Synopsis: 2Ki 6:1-33 - --1 Elisha, giving leave to the young prophets to enlarge their dwellings, causes iron to swim.8 He discloses the king of Syria's counsel.13 The army wh...
MHCC -> 2Ki 6:13-23; 2Ki 6:24-33
MHCC: 2Ki 6:13-23 - --What Elisha said to his servant is spoken to all the faithful servants of God, when without are fightings, and within are fears. Fear not, with that f...

MHCC: 2Ki 6:24-33 - --Learn to value plenty, and to be thankful for it; see how contemptible money is, when in time of famine it is so freely parted with for any thing that...
Matthew Henry -> 2Ki 6:13-23; 2Ki 6:24-33
Matthew Henry: 2Ki 6:13-23 - -- Here is, 1. The great force which the king of Syria sent to seize Elisha. He found out where he was, at Dothan (2Ki 6:13), which was not far from Sa...

Matthew Henry: 2Ki 6:24-33 - -- This last paragraph of this chapter should, of right, have been the first of the next chapter, for it begins a new story, which is there continued a...
Keil-Delitzsch: 2Ki 6:18-20 - --
When the enemy came down to Elisha, he prayed to the Lord that He would smite them with blindness; and when this took place according to his word, h...

Keil-Delitzsch: 2Ki 6:21-23 - --
Elisha forbade king Joram to slay the enemy that he had brought to him, because he had not taken them prisoners in war, and recommended him to treat...

Keil-Delitzsch: 2Ki 6:24-33 - --
After this there arose so fearful a famine in Samaria on the occasion of a siege by Benhadad, that one mother complained to the king of another, bec...
Constable: 2Ki 2:1--8:16 - --4. Jehoram's evil reign in Israel 2:1-8:15
Jehoram reigned 12 years in Israel (852-841 B.C.). Hi...

Constable: 2Ki 6:8-23 - --God's ability to defend and deliver His people from her enemies 6:8-23
The king of Aram ...
