Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Kings 7:1

"And Elisha said, Hear ye the word of Jehovah: thus saith Jehovah, To-morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be [sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria." — 2 Kings 7:1 (ASV)

The chapter division here is very awkward. In this verse, Elisha replies to the king’s challenge from 2 Kings 6:33, declaring that his God, Yahweh, will provide deliverance within a day. On the next day, at this same time, the famine will have ceased, and food will be even cheaper than usual.

A measure of fine flour refers literally to “a seah of fine flour,” which is about a peck and a half.

For a shekel was a price equivalent to about two shillings and eightpence.

Two measures of barley means “two seahs of barley,” which is about three pecks.

In the gate refers to the fact that the gates, or gateways, of Eastern towns were popular places for conducting various kinds of business. It would seem that at Samaria one of the gates was used for the grain market.