Prophecy is Fulfilled
October 2, 2019
Commentary
The king suspected a trap (v. 12). He calculated that since the Arameans had not been able to break into Samaria they had planned this apparent retreat to draw the Samaritans out, leaving the city open to invasion. One of Joram’s officers suggested sending only five horsemen to scout out the Aramean camp (v. 13). If these soldiers were caught their deaths would only be hastened, because he thought death was inescapable for all the people in Samaria. Joram liked this plan. So he ordered two chariots with their horses, to follow the supposedly fleeing Aramean army (v. 14).
The chariot drivers followed a trail of discarded clothing and equipment all the way to the Jordan River, about 25 miles from Samaria (v. 15). They discovered Israel’s enemy had crossed the Jordan and was gone. The drivers returned to Samaria and announced the good news to the king. This was a fulfillment of Elisha’s predictions. The king apparently threw the gates open before the excited multitudes who streamed out to find food and booty (v. 16). Those who found the food first were able to sell it to their neighbors for the same prices the Lord had predicted through Elisha (v. 1).
So heavy was the traffic through the gate that the officer who assisted the king was trampled to death (vv. 17-20). This man had ridiculed God’s ability to do what He said He would do (v. 2). The fate that Elisha had predicted overtook him. God, not Baal, provides food; in fact God even foretold exactly when He would provide it. The remarkable way in which God kept the Samaritans safe and sustained them should have turned them and the king back to Him.
Application
God’s future discipline of the Israelites can be understood better in the light of their rejection of His many gracious and miraculous provisions for them.
2 Kings 7:12– 20 (NET)
12 The king got up in the night and said to his advisers, âI will tell you what the Syrians have done to us. They know we are starving, so they left the camp and hid in the field, thinking, âWhen they come out of the city, we will capture them alive and enter the city.ââ 13 One of his advisers replied, âPick some men and have them take five of the horses that are left in the city. (Even if they are killed, their fate will be no different than that of all the Israelite peopleâweâre all going to die!) Letâs send them out so we can know for sure whatâs going on.â 14 So they picked two horsemen and the king sent them out to track the Syrian army. He ordered them, âGo and find out whatâs going on.â 15 So they tracked them as far as the Jordan. The road was filled with clothes and equipment that the Syrians had discarded in their haste. The scouts went back and told the king. 16 Then the people went out and looted the Syrian camp. A seah of finely milled flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, just as in the Lordâs message.
17 Now the king had placed the officer who was his right-hand man at the city gate. When the people rushed out, they trampled him to death in the gate. This fulfilled the prophetâs word which he had spoken when the king tried to arrest him. 18 The prophet had told the king, âTwo seahs of barley will sell for a shekel, and a seah of finely milled flour for a shekel; this will happen about this time tomorrow in the gate of Samaria.â 19 But the officer had replied to the prophet, âLook, even if the Lord made it rain by opening holes in the sky, could this happen so soon?â Elisha had said, âLook, you will see it happen with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of the food!â 20 This is exactly what happened to him. The people trampled him to death in the city gate.