2 Kings 6:28

And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.

And the king {H4428} said {H559} unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered {H559}, This woman {H802} said {H559} unto me, Give {H5414} thy son {H1121}, that we may eat {H398} him to day {H3117}, and we will eat {H398} my son {H1121} to morrow {H4279}.

Then the king asked her, "What's troubling you?" She answered, "This woman said to me, 'Give me your son, so that we can eat him today; and we'll eat my son tomorrow.'

Then the king asked her, “What is the matter?” And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him, and tomorrow we will eat my son.’

And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to-day, and we will eat my son to-morrow.

Commentary

Context

The horrifying exchange in 2 Kings 6:28 occurs during a severe siege of Samaria by Ben-hadad, king of Syria. The city is experiencing an extreme famine, leading to desperate measures among its inhabitants. King Jehoram (though not named explicitly in this verse, he is the king of Israel at this time) is walking on the city wall, likely inspecting its defenses or assessing the dire situation, when a woman cries out to him for justice. The king's initial question, "What aileth thee?", suggests he anticipates a common grievance, but the woman's shocking revelation immediately exposes the horrific depths of the famine's impact on the populace.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Extreme Desperation and Depravity: This verse starkly reveals the ultimate consequence of prolonged siege and famine: cannibalism. The agreement between the two women to eat their own children signifies a complete breakdown of natural affection, morality, and social order under unimaginable duress. It highlights the horrific extent to which human beings can be driven when basic survival is at stake.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While the immediate cause is the Syrian siege, the famine itself can be understood within the broader biblical context as a potential consequence of Israel's covenant disobedience. The horrific act described echoes the curses foretold in the law for turning away from God, particularly in Deuteronomy 28:53, which warned of eating one's own children during a siege.
  • The King's Powerlessness: The king's inquiry, though a gesture of his judicial role, quickly exposes his utter helplessness in the face of such overwhelming suffering. His inability to provide food or relief for his people becomes painfully clear, leading to his own reaction of despair and anger in subsequent verses (see 2 Kings 6:30).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrasing "What aileth thee?" is a classic expression of inquiry regarding distress or trouble. It is a simple, direct question that sets up the shocking reply. There are no complex Hebrew words here, but the starkness of the narrative highlights the raw horror. The phrase "eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow" is chilling in its calculated, almost business-like arrangement, underscoring the absolute desperation that had consumed these individuals.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a grim reminder of the devastating effects of war, famine, and human suffering when people are pushed beyond the limits of endurance. It underscores the importance of compassion, the value of life, and the dire consequences that can arise when societies abandon moral and spiritual foundations. For believers, it also highlights the desperate need for divine intervention in seemingly impossible situations, foreshadowing the miraculous deliverance that God provides through Elisha in the following chapter (see 2 Kings 7:1), demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty even over the most dire circumstances.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 14:5 (4 votes)

    And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I [am] indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.

  • Lamentations 4:10 (3 votes)

    The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

  • Judges 18:23 (3 votes)

    And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company?

  • Genesis 21:17 (2 votes)

    And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he [is].

  • Matthew 24:18 (2 votes)

    Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

  • Matthew 24:21 (2 votes)

    For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

  • Psalms 114:5 (2 votes)

    What [ailed] thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, [that] thou wast driven back?