Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 7:4

If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine [is] in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

4. let us fall unto the host of the Syrians ] These wrecks of humanity use the language which would be used by hale men who were deserting one side for another. Cf. 1Sa 29:3; 2Ki 25:11. The expression ‘fall away’ for ‘desert’ is common in English also. Cf. Shaks. Antony and Cleopatra, iv. 6. 17, ‘Canidius and the rest that fell away ’.

we shall but die ] Josephus makes them say they will be well rid of their lives, .

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

If we say we will enter into the city,…. Contrary to the law which forbid them:

then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there; not being able to obtain food to preserve life:

and if we sit here, we die also; having nothing to eat to support nature:

now therefore let us come, and fall unto the host of the Syrians; put ourselves into their hands, and lie at their mercy:

if they save us alive, we shall live; if they do not put us to death, but give us bread to eat, our lives will be preserved:

and if they kill us, we shall but die; which we must inevitably do, whether we stay here, or go into the city.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(4) Fall untoi.e., desert, go over to.

If they save us alive.And give us food, for pitys 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.)

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

2Ki 7:4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine [is] in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

Ver. 4. Let us fall unto the host of the Syrians. ] This they ought not to have done – because hereby occasion might be given to those idolaters to insult and blaspheme the true God, as not able to provide for his servants, – but to have died rather in the place.

If they kill us. ] Extreme famine had made them desperate: as it had those in this nation, about the year 700, who joined hand in hand, forty or fifty in a company, throwing themselves headlong into the sea. a

“ Hic rogo, non furor est, ne moriare, mori? ”

a Godw., Catal., 465.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

famine. Compare 2Ki 6:25.

host = camp.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

we will enter: Jer 14:18

let us fall: 1Ch 12:19, Jer 37:13, Jer 37:14

if they save us: Est 4:16, Jer 8:14, Jon 3:9, Luk 15:17-19

we shall but die: 2Sa 14:14, Heb 9:27

Reciprocal: Gen 43:8 – that we 1Ki 20:31 – peradventure 2Ki 6:25 – a great famine 2Ki 7:3 – Why 2Ki 7:13 – they are even 1Ch 21:13 – I am in Mat 8:2 – a leper Luk 15:18 – will arise

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge