And they tracked them as far as the Jordan, and indeed, the whole way was littered with the clothing and equipment the Arameans had thrown off in haste. So the scouts returned and told the king. And they tracked them as far as the JordanThe Jordan River is a significant geographical landmark in biblical history, often representing a boundary or transition point. In this context, the pursuit of the Arameans to the Jordan signifies a thorough investigation, ensuring the enemy's complete retreat. Historically, the Jordan River was a natural barrier, making it a strategic point in military pursuits. This pursuit reflects the fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy of deliverance from the Aramean siege, demonstrating God's intervention and the Israelites' victory. and indeed, the whole way was littered with the clothing and equipment
The discarded clothing and equipment indicate a hasty retreat by the Arameans, driven by panic and fear. This aligns with the divine intervention where God caused the Arameans to hear the sound of a great army, leading to their flight. The abandonment of such items signifies the urgency and chaos of their escape, highlighting the miraculous nature of Israel's deliverance. This scene echoes other biblical instances where God confounds Israel's enemies, such as the confusion of the Midianites in Judges 7. the Arameans had thrown off in haste
The haste of the Arameans underscores the terror that gripped them, fulfilling the prophecy of sudden deliverance. This panic is reminiscent of other biblical narratives where God instills fear in Israel's enemies, such as the Egyptians during the Exodus. The Arameans' flight without engaging in battle demonstrates God's power to save His people without human intervention, a recurring theme in Scripture. So the scouts returned and told the king
The return of the scouts to report to the king signifies the confirmation of God's promise through Elisha. This report would have been a moment of great relief and joy for the king and the people of Samaria, who were suffering under siege. The role of the scouts is crucial in verifying the miraculous deliverance, ensuring that the king and the people recognize the divine hand in their salvation. This moment of revelation is akin to the good news of deliverance proclaimed throughout the Bible, pointing to the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. The ArameansA group of people who were besieging Samaria, causing a severe famine in the city. They fled in haste, leaving behind their supplies. 2. The MessengersIndividuals sent by the king of Israel to verify the report of the Arameans' flight and the abundance of supplies left behind. 3. The King of IsraelThe ruler who was informed of the Arameans' departure and the subsequent availability of resources. 4. The Jordan RiverA significant geographical landmark in Israel, marking the boundary where the messengers pursued the fleeing Arameans. 5. SamariaThe capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which was under siege by the Arameans. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in DeliveranceGod can turn desperate situations around in unexpected ways, demonstrating His control over all circumstances. The Importance of Faith and ObedienceThe king's decision to send messengers reflects a step of faith, which is essential in witnessing God's provision. The Consequences of Fear and PanicThe Arameans' hasty retreat shows how fear can lead to irrational decisions, reminding us to trust in God rather than succumb to fear. Provision in God's TimingGod's provision often comes at the perfect time, encouraging us to wait patiently for His deliverance. The Role of Witnesses in God's WorkThe messengers played a crucial role in spreading the news of God's deliverance, highlighting the importance of sharing testimonies of God's faithfulness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Arameans' retreat demonstrate God's power over nations and armies? 2. In what ways can we apply the king's decision to verify the report to our own need for discernment and faith? 3. How does the account of the Arameans' flight compare to other biblical accounts of God delivering His people from their enemies? 4. What can we learn from the Arameans' panic about the dangers of fear and the importance of trusting in God? 5. How can we be like the messengers, sharing the good news of God's provision and deliverance with others in our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 6:24-33Provides context for the siege of Samaria by the Arameans, leading to the dire situation described in 2 Kings 7. Exodus 14:24-25Similar to the Arameans' hasty retreat, the Egyptians fled in confusion during the Exodus, showing God's intervention in delivering His people. Isaiah 37:36-37Another instance where God miraculously delivered His people by causing an enemy army to flee. People Aram, Egyptians, Elisha, Hittites, Israelites, SyriansPlaces Egypt, Jordan River, SamariaTopics Aramaeans, Arameans, Behold, Cast, Clothes, Clothing, Covered, Declare, Dropped, Equipment, Flight, Full, Garments, Haste, Headlong, Jordan, Littered, Materials, Messengers, News, Reported, Returned, Road, Strewn, Syrians, Thrown, Turn, VesselsDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 7:8-11 5426 news 2 Kings 7:9-11 4933 evening 2 Kings 7:10-11 5324 gatekeepers Library Silent Christians
'Then they said one to another, We do not well; this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace; if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us; now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household.'--2 KINGS vii. 9. The city of Samaria was closely besieged, and suffering all the horrors of famine. Women were boiling and eating their children, and the most revolting garbage was worth its weight in silver. Four starving lepers, sitting by the gate, plucked …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture 'Impossible, --Only I Saw It'
'Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour he sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. 2. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. 3. And there were four leprous men at the entering in of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Sin of Unbelief
However, the lord on whom the king leaned expressed his disbelief. We hear not that any of the common people, the plebeians, ever did so; but an aristocrat did it. Strange it is, that God has seldom chosen the great men of this world. High places and faith in Christ do seldom well agree. This great man said, "Impossible!" and, with an insult to the prophet, he added, "If the Lord should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be." His sin lay in the fact, that after repeated seals of Elisha's …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855 The Care of the Soul Urged as the one Thing Needful
Luke 10:42 -- "But one thing is needful." It was the amiable character of our blessed Redeemer, that "he went about doing good," this great motive, which animated all his actions, brought him to the house of his friend Lazarus, at Bethany, and directed his behavior there. Though it was a season of recess from public labor, our Lord brought the sentiments and the pious cares of a preacher of righteousness into the parlor of a friend; and there his doctrine dropped as the rain, and distilled as the …
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield An Address to a Soul So Overwhelmed with a Sense of the Greatness of Its Sins, that it Dares not Apply Itself to Christ with Any
1-4. The case described at large.--5. As it frequently occurs.--6. Granting all that the dejected soul charges on itself.--7. The invitations and promises of Christ give hope.--8. The reader urged, under all his burdens and fears, to an humble application to him. Which is accordingly exemplified in the concluding Reflection and Prayer. 1. I have now done with those unhappy creatures who despise the Gospel, and with those who neglect it. With pleasure do I now turn myself to those who will hear me …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament 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 Links 2 Kings 7:15 NIV2 Kings 7:15 NLT2 Kings 7:15 ESV2 Kings 7:15 NASB2 Kings 7:15 KJV
2 Kings 7:15 Commentaries
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