◄ 2 Kings 6:27 ►
He answered, "If the LORD does not help you, where can I find help for you? From the threshing floor or the winepress?"
Study Bible
He answered
This phrase introduces the response of the king of Israel, likely King Jehoram, during a time of great distress. The Hebrew root for "answered" is "עָנָה" (anah), which often implies a response to a cry or plea. This sets the tone for the king's desperation and helplessness in the face of the dire situation in Samaria, where the city is under siege by the Arameans.

If the LORD does not help you
The phrase underscores the king's acknowledgment of the LORD's sovereignty and ultimate control over the situation. The Hebrew word for "help" is "יָשַׁע" (yasha), which means to save or deliver. This reflects a theological truth that deliverance and salvation are ultimately in God's hands, a central tenet in the faith journey of Israel. The king's statement is both a lament and a recognition of divine power, highlighting the futility of human efforts without divine intervention.

where can I find help for you?
This rhetorical question emphasizes the king's powerlessness. The Hebrew word for "help" here is the same as before, "יָשַׁע" (yasha), reinforcing the idea that human resources are insufficient. The king's question is a poignant reminder of the limitations of earthly authority and the need for reliance on God.

From the threshing floor or the winepress?
These two locations symbolize abundance and provision in ancient Israelite society. The threshing floor is where grain is processed, and the winepress is where grapes are turned into wine. Both are essential for sustenance and celebration. However, during the siege, these places of plenty are barren, symbolizing the dire straits of the people. The king's mention of these places highlights the severity of the famine and the absence of natural resources, pointing to the need for supernatural provision.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King of Israel
The unnamed king during the time of the Aramean siege of Samaria, likely King Jehoram, who is faced with a dire situation and is approached by a desperate woman.

2. Samaria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which is under siege by the Arameans, leading to severe famine and desperation among its inhabitants.

3. The Desperate Woman
A woman who approaches the king with a grievous complaint, highlighting the extreme conditions and moral decay resulting from the siege.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, whom the king references, acknowledging that ultimate help and deliverance can only come from Him.

5. Threshing Floor and Winepress
Symbolic of agricultural abundance, these are mentioned rhetorically by the king to emphasize the lack of resources and human inability to provide help.
Teaching Points
Dependence on God
The king's rhetorical question underscores the futility of relying on human resources in times of crisis. Believers are reminded to place their trust in God, who is the ultimate source of help and deliverance.

Recognizing God's Sovereignty
The acknowledgment that only the LORD can provide help serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all circumstances. In times of distress, believers should turn to God, recognizing His power and authority.

The Consequences of Sin and Disobedience
The dire situation in Samaria is a result of Israel's disobedience and turning away from God. This serves as a warning to remain faithful and obedient to God's commands to avoid similar consequences.

The Role of Leadership in Crisis
The king's response reflects the responsibility of leaders to guide their people towards God in times of crisis. Christian leaders are called to point others to Christ, the ultimate source of hope and help.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the king's response in 2 Kings 6:27 reflect his understanding of God's role in providing help? How can this understanding shape our response to crises today?

2. In what ways do the threshing floor and winepress symbolize human reliance on material resources? How can we shift our focus from material dependence to spiritual reliance on God?

3. How does the situation in Samaria serve as a warning about the consequences of turning away from God? What steps can we take to ensure we remain faithful to God's commands?

4. How can Christian leaders today emulate the king's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty in their leadership? What practical steps can they take to guide others towards reliance on God?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation. How did you seek help, and what role did your faith play in finding a resolution? How can you apply the lessons from 2 Kings 6:27 to future challenges?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 121:1-2
This passage echoes the theme of seeking help from the LORD, emphasizing that true help comes from the Creator of heaven and earth.

Isaiah 31:1
Warns against relying on human strength and resources instead of seeking the LORD's help, similar to the king's rhetorical question about the threshing floor and winepress.

Lamentations 4:9-10
Describes the horrors of famine during a siege, paralleling the desperate conditions in Samaria.
Sermons
Samaria BesiegedC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 6:24-33
Subjects Worth ConsideringD. Thomas 2 Kings 6:24-33
The Siege of SamariaJ. Orr 2 Kings 6:24-33
Famine, a Judgment of GodH. M. Villiers, M. A.2 Kings 6:25-33
People
Aram, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Elisha, Shaphat, Syrians
Places
Dothan, Jordan River, Samaria, Syria
Topics
Barnfloor, Barn-floor, Doesn't, Floor, Grain-floor, Grape-crusher, Press, Save, Threshing, Threshingfloor, Threshing-floor, Whence, Wine, Winepress, Wine-press, Wine-vat
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 6:27

     4524   threshing-floor

2 Kings 6:24-27

     4546   winepress

2 Kings 6:24-29

     4438   eating
     5529   sieges
     7326   cannibalism

2 Kings 6:25-29

     5341   hunger

2 Kings 6:26-29

     5268   cooking

2 Kings 6:26-30

     5188   tearing of clothes

Library
Young Man! a Prayer for You
THIS YOUNG MAN waited upon a prophet: he could not have had a more instructive occupation; yet his eyes needed to be opened. He was well disposed towards good things, for the tone of his language to his master shows that he was heartily at one with him; but his eyes were not yet half opened. Being in great alarm for his master's safety, he ran to him to warn him: good servants should be their master's best friends. In return, his believing master prays for him. If we desire the good of our servants, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Of the Practice of Piety in Fasting.
There are divers kinds of fasting--First, A constrained fast, as when men either have not food to eat, as in the famine of Samaria (2 Kings vi. 25;) or, having food, cannot eat it for heaviness or sickness, as it befel them who were in the ship with St. Paul (Acts xxvii. 33.) This is rather famine than fasting. Secondly, A natural fast, which we undertake physically, for the health of our body. Thirdly, A civil fast, which the magistrate enjoins for the better maintenance of the commonwealth. Fourthly, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Whether a Mann is Bound to Correct his Prelate?
Objection 1: It would seem that no man is bound to correct his prelate. For it is written (Ex. 19:12): "The beast that shall touch the mount shall be stoned," [*Vulg.: 'Everyone that shall touch the mount, dying he shall die.'] and (2 Kings 6:7) it is related that the Lord struck Oza for touching the ark. Now the mount and the ark signify our prelates. Therefore prelates should not be corrected by their subjects. Objection 2: Further, a gloss on Gal. 2:11, "I withstood him to the face," adds: "as …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Administration
God not only created everything, but everything which He created is subject to His immediate control. God rules over the works of His hands. God governs the creatures He has made. God reigns with universal dominion. When He pleased, the sun and moon stood still (Josh. 10:12, 13); and at a word from Him the sun went backward ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz (Is. 38:8). At His command the Red Sea ceased to flow, and at His command it resumed its normal course (Ex. 14). In response to the prayer of Elisha, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Godhood of God

The Christian Convert Warned Of, and Animated against those Discouragements which He must Expect to Meet when Entering on a Religious Course.
1. Christ has instructed his disciples to expect opposition and difficulties in the way to heaven.--2. Therefore a more particular view of them is taken, as arising from the remainder of indwelling sin.--3. From the world, and especially from former sinful companions.--4. From the temptations and suggest ions of Satan.--5, 6. The Christian is animated and encouraged, by various considerations, to oppose them; particularly by the presence of God; the aids of Christ; the example of others, who, though …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God Distinguished by Certain Marks from Fictitious Gods.
1. The mere fact of creation should lead us to acknowledge God, but to prevent our falling away to Gentile fictions, God has been pleased to furnish a history of the creation. An impious objection, Why the world was not created sooner? Answer to it. Shrewd saying of an old man. 2. For the same reason, the world was created, not in an instant, but in six days. The order of creation described, showing that Adam was not created until God had, with infinite goodness made ample provision for him. 3. The …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Helpless State of the Sinner under Condemnation.
1, 2. The sinner urged to consider how he can be saved from this impending ruin.--3. Not by any thing he can offer.--4. Nor by any thing he can endure.--5. Nor by any thing hr can do in the course of future duty.--6-8. Nor by any alliance with fellow-sinners on earth or in hell.--9. Nor by any interposition or intercession of angels or saints in his favor. Hint of the only method to be afterwards more largely explained. The lamentation of a sinner in this miserable condition. 1. SINNER, thou hast …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

May one Lose the Blessing?
The question trembles from many a lip--If I get the blessing, may I lose it? Most certainly. But, glory be to God! He has made ample provision for failure. There is no reason why we should fail; God has made ample provision against failure; we must not expect to fail; but in case we do fail, provision has been made. The most prolific cause of loss is disobedience--disobedience either to one of God's written commands, or to the inward promptings of His Holy Spirit. "The Holy Ghost whom God hath …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

Meditations for the Morning.
1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day, Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints; and every one of the bodies of the thousands of his saints, being fashioned like unto his glorious body, shall shine as bright as the sun (2 Thess. i. 10; Jude, ver. 14; Phil. iii. 21; Luke ix. 31;) all the angels shining …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour, …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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