That is, for two shillings and six pence: before, an asses head was sold for about ten pound, and a cab of doves dung for about twelve shillings and six pence; and yet now a measure of fine floure, (which was about a peck and a pottle, as most account it) should be sold for a shekel, which was about two shillings six pence, and so also two measures of barley, a mighty change.
Vers. 2. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned, answered, &c.] Some Ex∣positours hold that this was that messenger mentioned in the latter end of the fore∣going chapter, that was sent to slay Elisha: but me thinks it is plain, that these words describe a person not mentioned before, and that the king himself was present when the words of the prophet was thus slighted by his great favourite: As for the custome of kings leaning on their nobles hands, see chap. 5.18.
If the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be?] That is, if the Lord should cause the heavens to rain corn, if showers of floure and barley should from the cloudes be poured down upon us, there could not be such plenty.
Vers. 3. And there were foure leprous men at the entring in of the gate.] For they might not be within the city, because they were lepers, Levit. 13.44, 46. but yet withall observable it is, how scrupulously carefull the inhabitants of Samaria were to observe that law of God, of not suffering the lepers to come amongst them; yea though they were ready to perish for hunger, whilest in the mean season they made no bones of transgressing Gods law in a matter of greater weight and conse∣quence, by their grosse idolatry.
Vers. 5. And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians.] That is, in the twilight of the evening, and it seems the Syrians were fled but a little before they came; for of them it is said too, vers. 7. that they arose and fled in twilight, and that both must be meant of the evening twilight is evident, because it was in the following night; that first, the lepers were getting themselves a booty in the tents of the Syrians, vers. 9. If we tarry, say they, till the morning light, some mischief will befall us: And secondly, that the city was raised by them, vers. 12. and the king arose in the night, &c.
Vers. 6. For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to heare a noise of cha∣riots, &c,] Which yet the lepers nor none in the city heard; the Lord could easily have stricken these Syrians dead in the place, but he was pleased rather, as it were in a way of scorn and derision, to fright them with their own fancies, and to make them fly, not daring to take their very horses with them, like so many mad distracted men; when there was not a man near them to do them any hurt.
Vers. 9. If we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us.] This they said, because they judged it so great a fault not to acquaint their brethren with that which God had done for them: when there were so many amongst them that were in danger every moment to perish with hunger.
Vers. 10. So they came, and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, &c.] That is, the porter of the gate and the watchmen that were with him.
Vers. 11. And he called the porters, and they told it the kings house within.] That is, the city porter went to the kings palace, and called to the kings porters there, and acquainted them with the businesse, who presently went and told the kings servants within the tydings that were brought them.