2 Kings 7:11

KJV

And he called the porters; and they told [it] to the king's house within.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he called {H7121} the porters {H7778}; and they told {H5046} it to the king's {H4428} house {H1004} within {H6441}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The gatekeepers called and told it to the king's household inside.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 7:11 serves as a pivotal, albeit brief, narrative bridge in the dramatic account of Samaria's miraculous deliverance from a devastating Aramean siege. Following the astonishing discovery by four outcast lepers that the enemy camp was supernaturally deserted and laden with provisions, this verse meticulously records the critical relay of this life-altering information. It details the immediate action taken by "he" (likely one of the lepers or a designated messenger from their group) in summoning the city's gatekeepers, who, in turn, promptly conveyed the extraordinary news to the king's inner household, setting in motion the city'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 6:24–7:20, 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 utter desperation of the populace ([2 Kings 6:24-29](/2_kings/6-24 "2 Kings 6:24-29 - The Siege of Samaria and Horrific Famine")). 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](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1-2 - Elisha's Prophecy of Abundance")). The immediate context of [2 Kings 7:3-8](/2_kings/7-3 "2 Kings 7:3-8 - The Lepers' Discovery") describes the four lepers, resigned to their fate, venturing out to the Aramean camp only to find it miraculously deserted, 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](/2_kings/7-6 "2 Kings 7:6-7 - God Causes the Arameans to Flee")). After initially indulging themselves, the lepers recognized their moral obligation to share this "good tidings" with the starving city ([2 Kings 7:9-10](/2_kings/7-9 "2 Kings 7:9-10 - The Lepers' Realization and Decision")). Thus, [2 Kings 7:11](/2_kings/7-11 "2 Kings 7:11 - The News Reaches the King's House") 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](/2_kings/7-6 "2 Kings 7:6-7 - God's Supernatural Intervention")). 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](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Foolish and Weak")). 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
* **Porters (Hebrew, שֹׁעֲרִים, _sho'arim'_):** This term refers to gatekeepers or guards responsible for controlling access to the city. In ancient Near Eastern cities, porters were vital for security, commerce, and communication. They were the first point of contact for anyone entering or leaving the city, making them crucial recipients of intelligence. Their role here is not merely passive; they are active participants in the chain of communication, demonstrating their diligence and understanding of the message's urgency.
* **King's house (Hebrew, בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ, _beit ha-melekh'_):** This phrase denotes the royal palace or the administrative center where the king and his court resided. It represents the seat of authority and decision-making within the city. The fact that the news was relayed "within" emphasizes its direct transmission to the highest echelons of power, indicating the message's critical importance and the need for immediate royal attention and action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he called the porters;":** This initial clause describes the immediate action taken by the lepers (or one of them, acting on behalf of the group, as implied by the narrative flow from [2 Kings 7:9-10](/2_kings/7-9 "2 Kings 7:9-10 - The Lepers' Decision to Inform")). The verb "called" (Hebrew: וַיִּקְרָא, *vayyiqra'*) implies a summons or an urgent appeal. The lepers, having recognized their moral obligation to share the good news, approached the city gate and called out to the porters. This act signifies the initiation of the communication chain, moving the life-saving information from the periphery (the lepers outside the gate) to the official channels of the city.
* **"and they told [it] to the king's house within.":** This second clause details the porters' immediate and faithful response. Upon receiving the astonishing news from the lepers, the porters did not hesitate or delay. They promptly relayed the message, presumably through an internal messenger system, directly to the royal palace. The phrase "king's house within" emphasizes that the news reached the very heart of the city's leadership, bypassing lesser officials to ensure the king was informed without delay. The "it" refers to the "good tidings" of the deserted Aramean camp and the abundance of provisions, the news that would transform the city's fate.

#### Literary Devices
The verse, though concise, employs several effective literary devices. **Conciseness** itself is a 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. There is an element of **Chain of Communication**, 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. 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 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.

* [Isaiah 52:7](/isaiah/52-7 "Isaiah 52:7 - How Beautiful Are the Feet of Those Who Bring Good News")
* [Nahum 1:15](/nahum/1-15 "Nahum 1:15 - Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news")
* [Proverbs 25:25](/proverbs/25-25 "Proverbs 25:25 - Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country")

### 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
* **What "good news" has God entrusted to you that you are called to share with others?**
* **How does the urgency of the lepers' message challenge any complacency we might feel about sharing the Gospel?**
* **In what ways can we ensure that we are faithful "porters" of God's truth, accurately and promptly relaying His message to those who need it?**
* **How does this narrative remind us that God can use anyone, even the marginalized, to accomplish His divine purposes?**

### 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](/2_kings/7-11 "2 Kings 7:11 - The News Reaches the King's House") 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](/2_kings/7-11 "2 Kings 7:11 - The News Reaches the King's House"), 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](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), who came to proclaim freedom to the captives and good news to the poor ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). 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](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")), 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](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life in Christ")). 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](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). 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](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.