Westminster Annotations, 2 Kings (4 Kings) · Chapter 6 – Chapter 7
CHAP. VI.
Vers. 1. SOns of the prophets] See 1 King. 18. 4.
place where we dwell] The colledge or school where they met to hear Blisha instruct them.
with thee] Heb. before thee.
…eostralt] For their number encreased.
V. 2. unto Jordan] Where was not onelyonly conveniency of water, but also of wood and other materialls to build withall.
a bea… ] That which may be fit to erect a fit meeting-place.
V. 3. Be content] See Chap. 5. 23.
V. 4. he went] To satisfie their desire, to perform his promise (v. 3.) and further to do what occasion should require, as v. 6.
V. 5. ax-head] Heb, iron.
Alas] See v. 15.
it was borrowed] So as I ought to restore it again.
V. 6. a stick] As Chap. 2. 21. and 4. 41. This stick was as a load-stone, to draw the iron to it.
V. 7. Therefore, &c.] Because it so floated on the top of the water, as he might easily reach it.
V. 8. In such and such] The Hebrew words are used to set out a certain, but unnamed thing; whether person (as Ruth 4. 1.) or place, as 1 Sam. 21. 2.
camp] Or, encamping.
V. 9. are come down] To assault such as passe by.
V. 10. sent] Spies, to search whether there were any enemies there or no.
saved himself] And his men, by forbearing to go thither.
not …e nor twice] Often times.
V. 11. sore troubled] As the sea with storms.
which of us] Which of them that belong to us?
for the king] In pay with him, to reveal our counsells to him.
V. 12. None] Heb. No.
telleth] Can tell.
in thy bed-chamber] In thy most private and secret places Eccl. 10. 20.
V. 13. Dothan] A city neer to Sichem, or Samaria, Gen. 37. 13, 17.
V. 14. a great host] Heb. heavie; Of foot-men.
V. 15. servant] Or, minister.
behold] He saw an host.
Alas, &c.] A phrase of despair, as Chap. 3. 10.
V. 16. Fear not] A phrase of encouragement, as Exod. 14. 13.
they that be with us, are mo then they that be with them] 2 Chron. 32. 7.
V. 17. open his eyes, &c.] Grant that by some extraordinary vision he may see thy guard of angels.
full of horses, &c.] A multitude of angels in manner of an host, Psal. 34. 7. and 68. 17. See Chap. 2. 11.
V. 18. they came down] The Syrians came down toward Elisha's house.
smote, &c.] as Gen. 19. 11.
blindenesse] Whereby they were so dazeled in their minde and bodily sight, as they could not discern any thing or person in the true and proper kinde thereof. Note Luk. 24. 16. Mar. 8. 24. See on Gen. 19. 11.
V. 19. said] Or answered; being asked by them where Elisha was.
This is not the way, &c.] Whither ye should go, &c. so as his speech hath ambiguity in it, but not equivocation.
follow me] Heb. come ye after me.
I will bring you to the man] For in Samaria they saw him.
V. 20. open the eyes] Take away that dazellednesse which hath been upon them.
that they may see] Distinctly, and discern what they see.
V. 21. My father] See Chap. 2. v. 12. The king hereby testifieth his respect to the prophets calling, and to the extraordinary Spirit of God in him.
shall I sinite] Slay them. The phrase is doubled, in testimony of joy in that power which he now had over his enemies.
V. 22. wouldest thou smite, &c.] Men use not to kill such as in the field are taken captives, and stand not out in hostility; much lesse oughtest thou to kill such as by Gods extraordinary work are brought to thee.
bread and water] Meat and drink: courteously entertain them. See v. 23.
go to their master] To tell him what befell them.
V. 23. came no more] As before they used, with troops, to spoil and plunder the countrey; for in the next history they are noted to come with a full army.
V. 24. Ben-hadad] He that besieged Samaria before, 1 King. 20. 1.
V. 25. an asses head] Not fit to be eaten, but in extreme famine.
fourscore pieces of silver] Ten pound sterling. See Chap. 5. vers. 5.
the fourth part of a cab, &c.] A cab is an Hebrew measure, of a pottle or thereabouts: the fourth part is a pin…e.
doves dung] Which may be taken for the corn in their crop, which, by flying, they brought out of the fields into the city: or for that corn which was in their entrails, and came from them: or else their very dung might be eaten in that extremity, or used for salt, or for fuell.
five pieces of silver] Twelve shillings and six pence.
V. 26. upon the wall] To view the city.
V. 27. If the Lord do not help thee] Or, Let not the Lord save thee. Can I do more then God?
out of the ba…, &c.] I have neither corn nor wine to help withall.
V. 28. the king said] After his passion was a little allayed.
This woman] So as she brought the woman with her before the king.
V. 29. we boiled my son, and did eat him] Deut. 28. 53.
next] Heb. other.
hid her son] To keep him alive, or to eat him alone.
V. 30. rent his clothes] See Chap. 5. 7.
sackcloth] As Ahab, 1 King. 21. 27.
V. 31. God do so] See 1 King. 19. 2.
if the head of Elisha] He threatens his death, because he thought that Elisha might have confounded this army as well as that which came to Dothan, v. 18. or might have procured, food, as Elijah did rain, 1 King. 18. 44, 45. or that he might be the cause of this judgement, v. 33. 1 King. 18. 17. Jam. 5. 17.
V. 32. elders] See 1 King. 8. 1.
sa…e with him] To advise about the famine, and to receive direction and consolation from him.
from before him] From his presence, or from himself, to cut off Elishah's head.
he said] Understanding the kings purpose, as v. 12. and 5. 26.
of a murderer] Of Ahab, by whose connivence, Naboth (1 King. 21. 19.) and the LORDS prophets were slain, 1 King. 18. 4. and 21. 19.
hold him, &c.] Be sure that he come not in to hurt me, or to hinder me in my function.
is not, &c.] Assuredly the king that sent him followeth hard after him. See 1 King. 14. 6.
V. 33. while he, &c.] While Elisha was speaking to the elders.
he said] The messenger, in the kings name, uttering the kings words: or the king himself, who had prevented the messenger.
this evil] This famine, and the effects thereof, as, mothers eating their children.
what should I wait, &c.] A speech of diffidence and despair. It seems that Elisha had made promise of succour from the LORD, which made king Jehoram to wait some while: but when he saw the great extremity of the famine, in distrust and despair he said, What should I wait, &c.
CHAP. VII.
Vers. 1. THen] When the king said, What should I wait any longer? Chap. 6. 33.
said] To the elders, king and messenger, all met together.
To morrow about this time] The day and hour is here designed.
a measure] A peck and a pottle, and somewhat more: three measures make one of our bushells.
a shekel] Two shillings and six pence. See 1 King. 10. 16. and 1 Chron. 22. 14. Compare the difference betwixt this, and Chap, 6. 25.
V. 2. a lord] The Hebrew word importeth, the third from the king; or one of the three great officers of state, such as Dan. 6. 2. He is supposed to be the man whom the King sent to kill Elisha, Chap. 6. v. 32. for great ones were so employed, 1 King. 2. 29.
a lord on whose hand the king leaned] Heb. a lord which belonged to the king, leaning upon his hand. This was the custom of kings, Chap. 5. 18.
windows] Wide open places to pour down corn as water, Gen. 7. 11. Mal. 3. 10.
thou shalt see it] See v. 20.
V. 3. at the entring] Without the city; for by the law they were secluded from society with others, Levit. 13. 46.
untill we die] Through want of foot.
V. 4. fall unto the host] Let us commit our selves to their mercy.
if they save us] They referre the issue to Gods providence, as Esth. 4. 16.
V. 5. twilight] Of the evening, v. 7, 9. See Prov. 7. 9.
V. 6. to hear] This was some hideous noise, which yet went no further then to their ears; for these lepers heard it not, nor any in the city. See 2 Sam. 5. 24. 2 King. 19. 7. 9.
one to another] Heb. a man to his brother.
V. 7. fled] As they were, suddenly, with all speed, not staying for horse, or any thing else.
twilight] See v. 5.
for their life] To save it, fearing they should be slain if they stayed.
V. 8. hid it] Fearing lest all might be taken from them.
V. 9. some mischief will come upon us] Heb. iniquity will finde us: We shall be accounted unjust and evil doers, and accordingly punished. See Num. 32. 23.
V. 10. them] The porter, and the watch-men with him.
V. 11. he] The chief keeper of the city-gate, to whom the lepers first told it.
porters] Keepers of the gate of the kings palace.
V. 12. servants] Of his privie counsell, as Chap. 6. v. 8.
shew you] What I conceive of this matter.
V. 13. in the city] Heb. in it.
they are as all the multitude] They and we all are in the like ease, like to die (as others are dead before us) if we have no relief; it can be therefore no great losse if they be surprised by the enemies.
see] Whether the report be true or no.
V. 14. chariot-horses] With riders on them.
after the host] Which was said to be fled.
V. 15. unto Jordan] So as they perceived that the Syrians were fled over Jordan, and the lesse to be feared.
vessells] The Hebrew word is put for sundry things usefull to man; as, for vessels which hold liquor (Esth. 1. 7.) for instruments of musick (Isai. 22. 24.) for instruments of iron (Num. 35. 16.) for hunting-instruments (Gen. 27. 3.) for warlike instruments (Gen. 49. 5.) Here is implied, that they cast away all manner of instruments or utensills that they had.
in their haste] Put on by fear, as 2 Sam. 4. 4.
V. 16. went out] Hastily, tumultuously, v. 17.
measure, &c.] See v. 1.
V. 17. the lord, &c.] See v. 2.
trode upon him] By reason of their eager and disorderly thrusting to get corn, v. 1, 2.
V. 18. And it came to passe] The three last verses, compared with the two first verses of this chapter, give evidence of Gods truth in accomplishing what he threatens.