Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 7

Then Elisha said. — And Elisha said. The division of the chapters is unfortunate, as there is no break in the story here. The prophet addresses the king and his attendants (2 Kings 7:18).

A measure. — Hebrew, a seah: the most usual grain measure. (Compare 1 Kings 18:32; 2 Kings 6:25.) The prophet’s words are more abrupt in the original: Thus has Jehovah said, About this time tomorrow a seah (in) fine flour at a shekel, and two seahs (in) barley at a shekel, in the gate of Samaria!

Fine flour. —Genesis 18:6.

Barley. — Not only as fodder for the horses (Thenius), but also for human consumption, in the form of barley cakes, etc. (Judges 7:13).

The gate. — The grain market, therefore, was held in the open space just inside the gate.

Then a lord. — And the adjutant (shâlîsh: compare 2 Samuel 23:8; 1 Kings 9:22; 1 Chronicles 11:11), or aide-de-camp or esquire (equerry).

On whose hand ... leaned. — Compare the similar expression in reference to Naaman (2 Kings 5:18).

Leaned. — Was leaning.

Behold, if the Lord ... this thing be? — This may be correct.

Even granting the very unlikely supposition that Jehovah is about to make windows (Genesis 7:11) in the sky, to rain down supplies through them, the promised cheapness of provisions can hardly ensue so soon.

Or we may render, “Behold, Jehovah is going to make windows in the sky [i.e., to pour down provisions upon us]. Can this thing come to pass?”

In any case, the tone is that of scoffing unbelief. Reuss renders, with French point, “Voyez donc. Iaheweh en fera pleuvoir! Est ce que c’est chose possible?”

Behold, thou shalt see. — Literally, Behold, you are about (i.e., destined) to see. Elisha partly imitates the speech of the scoffer, which begins in the Hebrew with “Behold, Jehovah is about to make windows.” (Compare 2 Kings 5:26.)

And there were four leprous men. —Literally, And four men were lepers.

At the entering in of the gate. —And so outside of the city. (Numbers 5:2–3.) Rashi says they were Gehazi and his sons (!)

Why sit we? —Or, Why are we abiding? Nobody brought them food any longer, owing to the pressure of the famine.

Fall to — i.e., desert, go over to.

If they save us alive. — And give us food, for pity’s sake.

We shall but die. — As we shall if we stop here, or if we go into the city. (The “but” is not in the Hebrew.)

In the twilight — that is, at nightfall. (See 2 Kings 7:9; 2 Kings 7:12). They waited until then, that their departure might not be noticed from the walls.

The uttermost part — that is, the outskirts or verge of the camp nearest to Samaria.