Charles Ellicott 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)

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.