TRV
Translation
Berean Standard Bible
The gatekeepers shouted the news, and it was reported to the king’s household.
American Standard Version
And he called the porters; and they told it to the king’s household within.
World English Bible Messianic
He called the porters; and they told it to the king’s household within.
Young's Literal Translation
and he calleth the gatekeepers, and they declare to the house of the king within.
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In the KJVVerse 9,719 of 31,102
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Commentary on 2 Kings 7 verses 3–11
3 ¶ And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?
4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.
5 And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.
6 For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
7 Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.
8 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.
9 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.
10 So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were.
11 And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within.
We are here told,
I. How the siege of Samaria was raised in the evening, at the edge of night (Kg2 7:6, Kg2 7:7), not by might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts, striking terror upon the spirits of the besiegers. Here was not a sword drawn against them, not a drop of blood shed, it was not by thunder or hailstones that they were discomfited, nor were they slain, as Sennacherib's army before Jerusalem, by a destroying angel; but, 1. The Lord made them to hear a noise of chariots and horses. The Syrians that besieged Dothan had their sight imposed upon, Kg2 6:18. These had their hearing imposed upon. For God knows how to work upon every sense, pursuant to his own counsels as he makes the hearing ear and the seeing eye, so he makes the deaf and the blind, Exo 4:11. Whether the noise was really made in the air by the ministry of angels, or whether it was only a sound in their ears, is not certain; which soever it was, it was from God, who both brings the wind out of his treasures, and forms the spirit of man within him. The sight of horses and chariots had encouraged the prophet's servant, Kg2 6:17. The noise of horses and chariots terrified the hosts of Syria. For notices from the invisible world are either very comfortable or very dreadful, according as men are at peace with God or at war with him. 2. Hearing this noise, they concluded the king of Israel had certainly procured assistance from some foreign power: He has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians. There was, for aught we know but one king of Egypt, and what kings there were of the Hittites nobody can imagine; but, as they were imposed upon by that dreadful sound in their ears, so they imposed upon themselves by the interpretation they made of it. Had they supposed the king of Judah to have come with his forces, there would have been more of probability in their apprehensions than to dream of the kings of the Hittites and the Egyptians. If the fancies of any of them raised this spectre, yet their reasons might soon have laid it: how could the king of Israel, who was closely besieged, hold intelligence with those distant princes? What had he to hire them with? It was impossible but some notice would come, before, of the motions of so great a host; but there were they in great fear where no fear was. 3. Hereupon they all fled with incredible precipitation, as for their lives, left their camp as it was: even their horses, that might have hastened their flight, they could not stay to take with them, Kg2 7:7. None of them had so much sense as to send out scouts to discover the supposed enemy, much less courage enough to face the enemy, though fatigued with a long march. The wicked flee when none pursues. God can, when he pleases, dispirit the boldest and most brave, and make the stoutest heart to tremble. Those that will not fear God he can make to fear at the shaking of a leaf.
II. How the Syrians' flight was discovered by four leprous men. Samaria was delivered, and did not know it. The watchmen on the walls were not aware of the retreat of the enemy, so silently did they steal away. But Providence employed four lepers to be the intelligencers, who had their lodging without the gate, being excluded from the city, as ceremonially unclean: the Jews say they were Gehazi and his three sons; perhaps Gehazi might be one of them, which might cause him to be taken notice of afterwards by the king, Kg2 8:4. See here, 1. How these lepers reasoned themselves into a resolution to make a visit in the night to the camp of the Syrians, Kg2 7:3, Kg2 7:4. They were ready to perish for hunger; none passed through the gate to relieve them. Should they go into the city, there was nothing to be had there, they mist die in the streets; should they sit still, they must pine to death in their cottage. They therefore determine to go over to the enemy, and throw themselves upon their mercy: if they killed them, better die by the sword than by famine, one death than a thousand; but perhaps they would save them alive, as objects of compassion. Common prudence will put us upon that method which may better our condition, but cannot make it worse. The prodigal son resolves to return to his father, whose displeasure he had reason to fear, rather than perish with hunger in the far country. These lepers conclude, "If they kill us, we shall but die;" and happy they who, in another sense, can thus speak of dying. "We shall but die, that is the worst of it, not die and be damned, not be hurt of the second death." According to this resolution, they went, in the beginning of the night, to the camp of the Syrians, and, to their great surprise, found it wholly deserted, not a man to be seen or heard in it, Kg2 7:5. Providence ordered it, that these lepers came as soon as ever the Syrians had fled, for they fled in the twilight, the evening twilight (Kg2 7:7), and in the twilight the lepers came (Kg2 7:5), and so no time was lost. 2. How they reasoned themselves into a resolution to bring tidings of this to the city. They feasted in the first tent they came to (Kg2 7:8) and then began to think of enriching themselves with the plunder; but they corrected themselves (Kg2 7:9): "We do not well to conceal these good tidings from the community we are members of, under colour of being avenged upon them for excluding us from their society; it was the law that did it, not they, and therefore let us bring them the news. Though it awake them from sleep, it will be life from the dead to them." Their own consciences told them that some mischief would befal them if they acted separately, and sought themselves only. Selfish narrow-spirited people cannot expect to prosper; the most comfortable advantage is that which our brethren share with us in. According to this resolution, they returned to the gate, and acquainted the sentinel with what they had discovered (Kg2 7:10), who straightway brought the intelligence to court (Kg2 7:11), and it was not the less acceptable for being first brought by lepers.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 3–11. Public domain.
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Ephrem the SyrianAD 373
ON THE SECOND BOOK OF KINGS 7:3
Even though the four lepers are loathsome, if we symbolically recognize in them the fact that they announced goods for the inhabitants of their city, they do no wrong to the symbol but correctly represent the four holy Evangelists. Indeed, we must bear in mind that through their books the grace of our Savior and source of life Jesus Christ was known, and freedom was given to all people according to his divine plan. And so those whose flesh was leprous shone in their interior look with the splendor of their righteousness. In addition, they symbolically represent the first attitude of the apostles in the fact that leprosy had corrupted their skin. But they also represent them in the fact that their interior was adorned with righteous behavior because the old man has been transformed by the coming of the Holy Spirit and renewed. Therefore they have clothed themselves with the garment shining with the colors of heaven and have been sent to show the work of the hands of God.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Second Kings 7:11 serves as a crucial narrative pivot in the miraculous account of Samaria's deliverance from a devastating Aramean siege. This verse meticulously records the critical relay of life-altering information, following the astonishing discovery by four outcast lepers that the enemy camp was supernaturally deserted and laden with provisions. It details the immediate action taken by the lepers in summoning the city's gatekeepers, who, in turn, promptly conveyed the extraordinary news to the king's inner household, setting in motion Samaria's transition from utter despair and famine to unexpected hope and abundance.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is deeply embedded within the climactic narrative of 2 Kings 6:24-33 and 2 Kings 7:1-20, which portrays Samaria's desperate plight under a prolonged Aramean siege. The preceding verses vividly describe the horrific famine within the city, reaching such an extreme that instances of cannibalism were reported, highlighting the populace's utter desperation, as seen in 2 Kings 6:24-29. The prophet Elisha had previously declared that God would bring an end to the famine within twenty-four hours, a prophecy met with skepticism by a royal officer (2 Kings 7:1-2). The immediate context of 2 Kings 7:3-8 describes the four lepers, resigned to their fate, venturing out to the Aramean camp only to find it miraculously deserted. This divine intervention was a result of the Lord causing the Arameans to hear a terrifying sound of chariots and horses, leading them to flee in panic (2 Kings 7:6-7). After initially indulging themselves, the lepers recognized their moral obligation to share this "good tidings" with the starving city (2 Kings 7:9-10). Thus, 2 Kings 7:11 marks the crucial moment when this vital information begins its journey from the city's periphery to its central authority, initiating the city's deliverance.
Historical & Cultural Context: Ancient cities, including Samaria, were typically fortified with massive walls and gates, which served as the primary points of entry and exit. The "porters" (Hebrew: sho'arim) were essential gatekeepers, responsible for security, controlling access, and receiving intelligence. Their position at the city's threshold made them the first point of contact for anyone approaching from outside, making them the natural recipients of urgent news. The "king's house within" refers to the royal palace or the inner chambers of the government, the seat of power where critical decisions were made. In a besieged city, communication was paramount, and the chain of command from the outer defenses to the royal court was well-established. The swift relay of information from the porters to the king's household underscores the urgency and significance of the message, as the king and his advisors would be the ones to verify the news and orchestrate the city's response to this unexpected turn of events. This cultural understanding highlights the structured nature of ancient urban administration and the critical role of its personnel during times of crisis.
Key Themes: The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Kings and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Providence and Deliverance, as the good news being relayed is a direct consequence of God's unseen, miraculous intervention that caused the Aramean army to flee (2 Kings 7:6-7). Secondly, it highlights the Urgency and Importance of Communication, particularly of life-saving information. The swift, unhindered relay of the news from the lepers to the porters and then to the king's house demonstrates the critical role of effective communication in bringing about salvation and relief. Thirdly, the narrative showcases God Using Unexpected Messengers. The fact that outcasts—lepers, who were ritually unclean and marginalized in society—were the initial bearers of such vital news, emphasizes God's sovereign choice to use anyone, regardless of their social standing or perceived unworthiness, to accomplish His divine purposes (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Finally, the verse marks a turning point from Despair to Hope, as the message carried by the porters transforms the city's outlook from one of utter hopelessness and famine to one of impending abundance and relief, reflecting God's faithfulness to His people even in their darkest hour.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse, though concise, employs several effective literary devices. Conciseness itself is a powerful device, highlighting the swiftness and efficiency of the communication. The narrative moves directly from the lepers' decision to the king's awareness, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the immediate impact of the news. There is a clear Chain of Communication established, where the sequential relay of information (lepers to porters to king's house) is crucial to the plot's resolution. This chain underscores the theme of collective action and responsibility in bringing about deliverance. Furthermore, the verse contributes to the overall sense of Anticipation within the broader narrative. The reader knows the good news, and this verse builds suspense as the news travels to those who can act upon it, setting the stage for the city's dramatic deliverance. Finally, there's a subtle Irony in the fact that the most marginalized members of society, the lepers, are the ones who initiate the salvation of the entire city, a testament to God's often unexpected means of working.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This brief verse, detailing the relay of life-saving information, resonates with profound theological truths about God's providence, the nature of good news, and the responsibility of those who receive it. It illustrates how God, in His sovereign plan, orchestrates events and uses various agents—even the most unlikely—to bring about His purposes of deliverance and blessing. The news of abundance following severe famine is a tangible manifestation of God's faithfulness to His people, even when they are at their lowest point. The prompt and faithful communication of this news by the porters underscores the ethical imperative to share vital information, especially that which brings hope and salvation. This narrative serves as a powerful Old Testament parallel to the urgency and joy of proclaiming the ultimate good news of redemption.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The swift and faithful relay of the good news in 2 Kings 7:11 holds enduring lessons for believers today. Just as the news of the abandoned Aramean camp brought physical salvation and relief to the starving city of Samaria, the Gospel message brings spiritual salvation and abundant life to a world starving for hope and truth. We are called to be like the lepers, who, having received an extraordinary blessing, recognized their moral obligation not to withhold such life-altering news. Our personal encounter with God's grace and deliverance compels us to share the "good tidings" of Christ's victory over sin and death. Furthermore, the diligence of the porters reminds us of the importance of faithful and accurate communication in all spheres of life, especially when dealing with matters of eternal consequence. God often uses unexpected messengers and ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes, challenging us to be ready and willing vessels for His truth, regardless of our perceived status or limitations.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the significance of the "porters" in this narrative?
Answer: The porters, or gatekeepers, were crucial figures in ancient cities. Their significance in 2 Kings 7:11 lies in their role as the first official point of contact for external communication and security. They were strategically positioned to receive urgent news from outside the city walls. In this instance, they acted as the vital intermediary between the outcast lepers, who had discovered the miraculous deliverance, and the king's household. Their prompt and faithful relay of the message was essential for the news to reach the highest authority, allowing for verification and the subsequent mobilization of the city for its deliverance. Without their diligent action, the life-saving information might have been delayed or dismissed, prolonging the city's suffering.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Samaria's deliverance in 2 Kings 7, culminating in the relay of good news in 2 Kings 7:11, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "good tidings" of the deserted Aramean camp, bringing physical salvation from famine and siege, foreshadows the infinitely greater "good news" (Gospel) of spiritual salvation brought by Christ. He is the ultimate messenger, the very Word of God made flesh (John 1:14), who came to proclaim freedom to the captives and good news to the poor (Luke 4:18). Just as the lepers, outcasts of society, became the bearers of life-saving news for Samaria, so too did God choose to send His Son, who "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant" (Philippians 2:7), to deliver humanity from the siege of sin and death. The abundance found in the deserted camp points to the spiritual abundance found in Christ—forgiveness, eternal life, and reconciliation with God (John 10:10). The prompt relay of the news to the king's house anticipates the universal proclamation of the Gospel, the ultimate message for all nations, leading to the establishment of Christ's eternal kingdom (Matthew 28:19-20). Thus, 2 Kings 7:11 is a powerful Old Testament echo of the joyous, urgent, and life-transforming message of redemption found in Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).