Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 7:16
And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was [sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.
16. the people went out ] When the camp had been found empty, word was at once sent back into Samaria, while a portion of the exploring party advanced on the road to the Jordan. The whole population were encouraged by the news, and went out, as they were likely to do after being so long pent up, in full numbers. There was food to be had, and beside that, rich plunder.
according to the word of the Lord ] See above in verse 1 where Elisha describes the announcement he makes as ‘the word of the Lord’.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And the people went out and spoiled the tents of the Syrians,…. Of their riches, and of their provisions; of which there was such a plenty, not only for present use, but for sale,
so that a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, c.
according to the word of the Lord by Elisha, 2Ki 7:1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When the returning messengers reported this, the people went out and plundered the camp of the Syrians, and this was followed by the consequent cheapness of provisions predicted by Elisha. As the people streamed out, the unbelieving aide-de-camp, whom the king had ordered to take the oversight at the gate ( , to deliver the oversight) for the purpose of preserving order in the crowding of the starving multitude, was trodden down by the people, so that he died, whereby this prediction of Elisha was fulfilled. The exact fulfilment of this prediction appeared so memorable to the historian, that he repeats this prophecy in 2Ki 7:18-20 along with the event which occasioned it, and refers again to its fulfilment.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(16) The tents.Rather, the camp.
SoAnd it came to pass.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Ki 7:16. The people went out and spoiled the tents of the Syrians Thus did the Lord work a double miracle for his people; at once delivering them from the Syrians, and giving them an unexpected and sufficient supply for their necessities; fulfilling exactly the predictions of his prophet, and thus giving the highest authority to his mission.
Note; (1.) Not a tittle of God’s word shall ever fail. O that we had but faith to trust him! (2.) Supported by past experience, let us never despair, but patiently wait the salvation of God!
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Ki 7:16 And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was [sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.
Ver. 16. So a measure. ] See on 2Ki 7:1 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ki 7:16-20
2Ki 7:16-20
THE KING’S FOOLISH ATTEMPT TO TAKE CHARGE
“And the people went out and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of Jehovah. And the king appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trod upon him in the gate, and he died as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him. And it came to pass, as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria; and that captain answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if Jehovah should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? and he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof: it came to pass even so unto him; for the people trod upon him in the gate, and he died.”
The unbelieving king vainly attempted to control the crowd and even appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to be in charge of the gate of the city! Vanity of vanities! That royal officer might just as well have tried to stop a stampeding herd of wild buffaloes by getting in front of it! The multitudes rushing to alleviate their desperate hunger simply trampled him to death, fulfilling Elisha’s second “impossible prophecy.”
Samaria had indeed been brought to the brink of destruction. The people had resorted to eating unclean animals, even asses, and all of the horses in the city except five! It surely seemed as if the city had no option except to surrender to their enemies. And at the very moment when it seemed that all was lost, God delivered them!
E.M. Zerr:
2Ki 7:16. To spoil the tents means to take the goods found in the tents, especially the articles of food. The great plenty of the provisions caused the low price at which they could be bought. In selling them at these low prices, one prediction of Elisha was fulfilled. The one pertaining to the doubting lord will be described next.
2Ki 7:17-20. After a period of distress from hunger, people are apt to be disorderly and need to be put under restraint. The sudden discovery of so much food threatened a state of disorder and a rush to obtain the much wanted articles. Samaria was a walled city, and the passing in and out would have to be through the gate. For the purpose of order, the king made an appointment for the very lord who had been his personal attendant, that he should have charge of the gate. The people were mad with hunger and paid no attention to the gate keeper. In their stampede to get access to the food, they bore down upon the lord and trampled him to death. By this tragedy the prediction made by Elisha (V. 2) was fulfilled. The lord saw the great plenty of food but did not get to eat of it.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
spoiled the tents: 1Sa 17:53, 2Ch 14:12-15, 2Ch 20:25, Job 27:16, Job 27:17, Psa 68:12, Isa 33:1, Isa 33:4, Isa 33:23
according to: 2Ki 7:1, Num 23:19, Isa 44:26, Mat 24:35
Reciprocal: 2Ki 4:42 – of barley 2Ki 8:4 – all the great 2Ch 14:14 – exceeding
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7:16 And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was [sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, {k} according to the word of the LORD.
(k) Which he spoke by the mouth of Elisha, 2Ki 7:1.