2 Kings 7:18

KJV

And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria:

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass as the man {H376} of God {H430} had spoken {H1696} to the king {H4428}, saying {H559}, Two measures {H5429} of barley {H8184} for a shekel {H8255}, and a measure {H5429} of fine flour {H5560} for a shekel {H8255}, shall be to morrow {H4279} about this time {H6256} in the gate {H8179} of Samaria {H8111}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For the man of God had said to the king, "Tomorrow by this time six quarts of barley will sell for only a shekel and half a bushel of fine flour for a shekel [in the market] at the gate of Shomron";

Berean Standard Bible

It happened just as the man of God had told the king: “About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel.”

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to-morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 7:18 serves as a powerful retrospective confirmation, meticulously detailing the precise fulfillment of the prophet Elisha's astonishing prophecy. This verse underscores the miraculous end to the severe famine in Samaria, validating the divine origin and absolute reliability of the "man of God's" spoken word. It highlights God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereign power to intervene dramatically in human affairs, transforming dire scarcity into abundant provision exactly as foretold, despite the seemingly impossible circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the narrative climax of 2 Kings chapter 7, immediately following the dramatic events that led to the lifting of the Aramean siege on Samaria. The chapter opens with the city in the throes of an unimaginable famine, driven to cannibalism, when Elisha boldly declares a miraculous turnaround: "Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria" ([2 Kings 7:1](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha's Prophecy of Abundance")). This prophecy was met with cynical disbelief by a royal officer, who questioned how such a thing could be possible, even if God were to open the windows of heaven ([2 Kings 7:2](/2_kings/7-2 "2 Kings 7:2 - The Unbelieving Officer's Doubt")). The subsequent narrative recounts how four lepers, desperate for food, ventured into the Aramean camp only to find it deserted, as the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses, prompting their panicked flight ([2 Kings 7:6-7](/2_kings/7-6 "2 Kings 7:6-7 - The Arameans' Flight")). The lepers reported their discovery, leading to the plundering of the camp by the people of Samaria. Verse 18 then functions as a direct callback, confirming that the precise conditions prophesied by Elisha in [2 Kings 7:1](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha's Prophecy") were indeed met, serving as a powerful narrative closure to this miraculous episode and emphasizing the absolute veracity of God's word through His prophet.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Samaria, as the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, was a strategically important city, often subjected to sieges during periods of conflict with neighboring Aram (Syria). A siege was a devastating military tactic designed to starve a city into submission, leading to extreme suffering, disease, and exorbitant food prices, as vividly depicted in [2 Kings 6:25](/2_kings/6-25 "2 Kings 6:25 - Famine Prices in Samaria"). The mention of "barley" and "fine flour" reflects the staple grains of the ancient Near East, with barley being a coarser, cheaper grain typically consumed by the poor, and fine flour (wheat) being more expensive and preferred. A "shekel" was a standard unit of weight and currency, and the prices mentioned in the prophecy (and its fulfillment) represent an astonishing reversal from the famine's grip, where previously an ass's head sold for 80 shekels. The "gate of Samaria" was not merely an entrance but the bustling hub of city life – a marketplace, a court of law, and a place for public assembly and official announcements. The fulfillment of the prophecy at the gate underscored its public, undeniable nature, witnessed by all who entered and exited the city. The role of prophets like Elisha as God's spokesmen was crucial in ancient Israel, providing divine guidance and revealing God's will, especially during times of national crisis.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative surrounding 2 Kings 7:18 powerfully illustrates several key theological and narrative themes. Foremost is the **Divine Sovereignty and Providence** of God, who orchestrates events (like the Aramean flight) to deliver His people and provide for their needs in extraordinary ways, demonstrating His ultimate control over nations and circumstances. Closely related is the **Reliability and Power of God's Word**, as Elisha's prophecy, spoken under divine inspiration, comes to pass with absolute precision, reinforcing that God's word "does not return to Him empty" ([Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")). The story also highlights the stark **Consequences of Faith versus Unbelief**. While the people of Samaria, driven by desperation, ultimately benefited from God's provision, the royal officer who doubted Elisha's word faced a tragic end, being trampled to death at the gate while the abundance he disbelieved became a reality ([2 Kings 7:17](/2_kings/7-17 "2 Kings 7:17 - The Officer's Fate")). This serves as a potent reminder of the importance of trusting God's promises, even when they defy human logic or seem impossible.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Man of God (Hebrew, אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים, _'ish ha'Elohim'_):** This title, frequently applied to prophets like Elisha and Elijah in the Old Testament, signifies a person specially chosen, set apart, and empowered by God to speak on His behalf. It emphasizes that Elisha's words were not merely human predictions but divine declarations, carrying the full authority and certainty of God Himself. The fulfillment of the prophecy therefore testifies not just to Elisha's prophetic accuracy, but to the omnipotence and truthfulness of the God he served.
* **Shekel (Hebrew, שֶׁקֶל, _sheqel'_):** A shekel was a common ancient Near Eastern unit of weight, typically about 11.5 grams, which also served as a unit of currency. Its mention here, in specific relation to the price of grains, underscores the economic dimension of the famine's reversal. The specified prices of "two measures of barley for a shekel" and "a measure of fine flour for a shekel" represent an astonishing return to, or even exceeding of, pre-famine normalcy and affordability, contrasting sharply with the exorbitant prices seen earlier in the siege ([2 Kings 6:25](/2_kings/6-25 "2 Kings 6:25 - Famine Prices")). This precision in pricing highlights the exactness of God's prophetic word and the completeness of His provision.
* **Barley (Hebrew, שְׂעֹרִים, _s'orim'_) / Fine Flour (Hebrew, סֹלֶת, _solet'_):** These two grains represent the spectrum of staple foods in ancient Israel. Barley was a coarser, less expensive grain, often used for animal feed or by the poor. Fine flour, typically made from wheat, was more refined, more expensive, and preferred for human consumption, especially by the more affluent. The prophecy's inclusion of both, at such incredibly low and specific prices, signifies a comprehensive and abundant provision for all strata of society, from the poorest to the richest, demonstrating God's holistic care and the utter reversal of the famine's economic devastation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying,"**: This opening clause serves as a direct, emphatic confirmation. It links the present reality of abundance directly back to Elisha's original prophecy in [2 Kings 7:1](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha's Prophecy"), highlighting the absolute precision and reliability of God's word delivered through His prophet. The phrase "it came to pass" signifies the historical and undeniable fulfillment, leaving no room for doubt.
* **"Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel,"**: This is the core of the prophecy's fulfillment. It details the exact, incredibly low prices for staple grains, which were previously unobtainable or astronomically expensive. This specific economic reversal is a tangible sign of God's miraculous intervention, demonstrating His power to restore and provide beyond human imagination, turning a state of extreme scarcity into one of overwhelming abundance.
* **"shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria:"**: This final clause reiterates the precise timing ("to morrow about this time") and location ("in the gate of Samaria") of the prophecy's fulfillment. The gate was the city's central marketplace and public square, making the widespread availability and affordability of food there a public, undeniable spectacle. The exactness of time and place further underscores the supernatural nature of the event and the divine control over all circumstances, leaving no doubt that this was a divinely orchestrated miracle.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 2 Kings 7, culminating in verse 18, is rich with literary devices that amplify its theological message. **Repetition** is a prominent feature, with the precise details of Elisha's prophecy from [2 Kings 7:1](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha's Prophecy") being reiterated in 2 Kings 7:18, emphasizing the exactness of its fulfillment and reinforcing the reliability of God's word. **Irony** is powerfully employed in the fate of the unbelieving royal officer. He scoffs at the idea of God's provision and declares it impossible, only to witness its fulfillment while being trampled to death at the very gate where the abundance he doubted became manifest ([2 Kings 7:17](/2_kings/7-17 "2 Kings 7:17 - The Officer's Tragic End")). This serves as a stark warning against human skepticism in the face of divine promise. The dramatic contrast between the horrific famine conditions (e.g., cannibalism in [2 Kings 6:29](/2_kings/6-29 "2 Kings 6:29 - The Horror of Cannibalism")) and the sudden, overwhelming abundance highlights **Hyperbole** or extreme **Contrast**, underscoring the magnitude of God's miraculous intervention. The entire narrative functions as a profound example of **Divine Intervention**, where God acts directly and supernaturally to deliver His people, demonstrating His sovereignty over natural laws, military powers, and economic realities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The fulfillment recorded in 2 Kings 7:18 stands as a profound testament to the absolute reliability and power of God's spoken word. It affirms that when God declares something, it will inevitably come to pass, regardless of human skepticism or the seeming impossibility of the circumstances. This narrative illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, demonstrating His ability to provide abundantly even in the direst of situations. It reveals a God who is not distant but intimately involved in the affairs of humanity, capable of orchestrating events on a grand scale to deliver and sustain. The story serves as a powerful reminder that true security and hope rest not on human strength or resources, but on the sovereign power and unfailing promises of the Almighty.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "God is Not a Man That He Should Lie")
* [Isaiah 55:10-11](/isaiah/55-10 "God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "God Will Supply All Your Needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound miracle described in 2 Kings 7:18 offers enduring lessons for believers today, challenging us to cultivate a deeper trust in God's promises, especially when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Just as Samaria experienced a sudden, dramatic reversal from famine to abundance, we are reminded that God is capable of intervening in our personal and collective "impossible" situations. This passage calls us to shift our focus from the visible, often despair-inducing circumstances to the invisible, unfailing character and power of God. It encourages us to remember that God's faithfulness is not contingent on our understanding or our ability to see a way forward, but on His own nature. When doubt creeps in, we are to recall this historical account as a powerful anchor for our faith, knowing that the God who spoke and brought forth abundance in Samaria is the same God who promises to meet our needs, deliver us from distress, and fulfill His purposes in our lives. Our response to His word should be one of expectant faith, not cynical disbelief.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy in 2 Kings 7:18 strengthen your confidence in the reliability of God's promises in your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing a "famine" or seemingly impossible circumstances? How might this passage encourage you to trust God's provision and intervention?**
* **What does the fate of the unbelieving officer teach us about the spiritual danger of cynicism and doubt when God speaks?**

### FAQ

**Why is the "man of God" title significant here?**

Answer: The title "man of God" (Hebrew: _'ish ha'Elohim_) is profoundly significant because it identifies Elisha not merely as a human messenger, but as a divinely appointed and empowered spokesman for God. His words were not his own, but God's. Therefore, the precise fulfillment of the prophecy in [2 Kings 7:18](/2_kings/7-18 "2 Kings 7:18 - Elisha's Prophecy Fulfilled") serves as irrefutable proof of God's direct involvement and His absolute faithfulness to His word. It underscores that the miracle was not a coincidence or human ingenuity, but a direct act of the sovereign God, validating His prophet and His message.

**How did the prices change so dramatically from famine to abundance?**

Answer: The dramatic change in prices was due to a miraculous, divinely orchestrated event. The Lord caused the Aramean army, who were besieging Samaria, to hear sounds of a vast approaching army, leading them to believe that Israel had hired foreign kings to attack them ([2 Kings 7:6](/2_kings/7-6 "2 Kings 7:6 - The Arameans Hear a Sound")). In their panic, they fled, abandoning their entire camp, including food, clothing, and treasures. Four desperate lepers discovered the deserted camp, plundered it, and reported their findings to the city. The people of Samaria then rushed out and plundered the Aramean camp, bringing in such an overwhelming quantity of food that prices plummeted instantly, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy to the letter. This was a supernatural act of God's provision, turning scarcity into overwhelming abundance overnight.

**What is the significance of "the gate of Samaria" in this context?**

Answer: The "gate of Samaria" was far more than just an entrance; it was the vibrant economic, social, and judicial center of the city. It was the primary marketplace where goods were bought and sold, the place where legal disputes were settled, and where public announcements were made. Therefore, the fulfillment of the prophecy at the gate meant that the abundance of food and the dramatic drop in prices were publicly displayed and experienced by everyone entering and leaving the city. This public setting made the miracle undeniable and visible to all, underscoring the completeness and public nature of God's deliverance and provision.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy in 2 Kings 7:18, demonstrating God's sovereign provision and the reliability of His word, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the quintessential "man of God," not merely a prophet, but God incarnate, whose words are not just divine declarations but the very essence of truth and life ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Just as God provided physical bread for Samaria, Jesus declared Himself to be the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), offering spiritual sustenance that truly satisfies and overcomes the famine of the human soul. His feeding of the five thousand with a few loaves and fish ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand")) parallels the miraculous provision in Samaria, but points to a greater spiritual reality: His ability to provide eternal life and satisfy every spiritual hunger. Furthermore, the deliverance of Samaria from physical siege foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over the spiritual siege of sin and death. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus delivered humanity from spiritual famine, offering abundant life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Abundant Life")) and the fulfillment of all God's promises in the new covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Superior Covenant")). The precision and certainty of Elisha's prophecy's fulfillment find their echo in the absolute certainty of Christ's resurrection and the ultimate fulfillment of all prophecies concerning His return and the establishment of His eternal kingdom ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")).

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.