Then Elisha said,Elisha, the successor of Elijah, is a prominent prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His role as a prophet is to communicate God’s messages to the people and the king. Elisha’s ministry is marked by miracles and divine interventions, demonstrating God’s power and presence among His people. This statement comes during a time of severe famine in Samaria, caused by the Aramean siege.
“Hear the word of the LORD!This phrase emphasizes the authority and divine origin of the message. Prophets often begin their declarations with a call to listen, underscoring the importance of the message as coming directly from God. It is a reminder that the words spoken are not of human origin but are a revelation from the LORD, demanding attention and obedience.
This is what the LORD says:The phrase introduces a direct quotation from God, a common prophetic formula that assures the audience of the authenticity and reliability of the message. It highlights the role of the prophet as a mouthpiece for God, conveying His will and purposes to the people.
‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria,The specificity of the prophecy underscores God’s control over time and events. The “gate of Samaria” is significant as city gates were central places for trade, legal matters, and public announcements. The prophecy’s fulfillment at the gate would be a public demonstration of God’s power and faithfulness.
a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel,A “seah” is a unit of measure, approximately 7-9 liters or about 1/3 of an ephah. The mention of “fine flour” indicates a return to abundance and normalcy, contrasting sharply with the dire famine conditions. A “shekel” was a standard unit of currency, and the price indicates a dramatic reversal of the current economic crisis, showcasing God’s ability to provide and restore.
and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’”Barley, often considered a less desirable grain compared to wheat, is mentioned here to emphasize the abundance that will be available. The pricing indicates a significant drop in cost, reflecting a miraculous change in circumstances. This prophecy not only promises relief from famine but also serves as a testament to God’s provision and the truth of His word, as seen in other biblical accounts of divine provision, such as the feeding of the 5,000 in the New Testament.1. ElishaA prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and delivering God’s messages to the people of Israel.2. SamariaThe capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which was under siege by the Arameans at this time, leading to a severe famine.3. The Siege of SamariaA critical event where the city was surrounded by the Aramean army, causing extreme scarcity and desperation among the inhabitants.4. The Word of the LORDThe divine message delivered by Elisha, promising a miraculous end to the famine and a return to normalcy in the economy.5. The Gate of SamariaA significant location in the city where trade and legal matters were conducted, symbolizing the center of public life.Trust in God’s PromisesElisha’s prophecy reminds us that God’s promises are sure, even when circumstances seem impossible. We are called to trust in His word and timing.God’s Provision in DesperationJust as God provided for Samaria, He is able to meet our needs in times of crisis. We should look to Him as our ultimate provider.The Power of God’s WordThe fulfillment of Elisha’s prophecy demonstrates the power and reliability of God’s word. We should hold fast to Scripture as our guide and source of truth.Faith in the Face of DoubtThe people of Samaria were in a dire situation, yet Elisha’s message required faith. We are encouraged to maintain faith even when others doubt.God’s Timing and MethodsGod’s ways are not our ways, and His timing is perfect. We should be patient and open to the unexpected ways He may choose to work in our lives.1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 7:1?2. How does 2 Kings 7:1 demonstrate God’s power to fulfill His promises? 3. What role does faith play in believing the prophecy in 2 Kings 7:1? 4. How can we trust God’s timing as seen in 2 Kings 7:1? 5. What similar instances of divine provision are found elsewhere in Scripture? 6. How can we apply the lesson of divine provision in our daily lives?7. How does 2 Kings 7:1 demonstrate God’s power to fulfill His promises despite impossible circumstances? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Kings 7:1? 9. How does Elisha’s prophecy in 2 Kings 7:1 challenge our understanding of divine intervention? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 7?11. 2 Kings 7:1 — How can a city under severe famine suddenly have an abundance of food within 24 hours? 12. 2 Kings 7:6-7 — What natural or historical explanation accounts for an entire army fleeing upon hearing mysterious sounds? 13. Is Dove Droppings worth five shekels of silver?14. 2 Kings 7:19-20 — How do we reconcile the exact fulfillment of Elisha’s prophecy about the officer’s death without invoking the supernatural?Then Elisha said
• The prophet steps forward in the midst of crippling famine and despair (2 Kings 6:25, 28-29).
• As in 1 Kings 17:1 and 2 Kings 4:1-7, God again uses His prophet to break a hopeless situation.
• Elisha’s initiative shows that revelation originates with God, not human ingenuity (Hebrews 1:1).
Hear the word of the LORD!
• A summons to listen, obey, and stake one’s life on divine authority (Deuteronomy 13:4; Isaiah 55:3).
• When God speaks, every other voice is secondary—especially the fearful reports inside besieged Samaria.
• The call exposes unbelief; the royal officer’s later scoffing (2 Kings 7:2) contrasts sharply with the required posture of faith (Romans 10:17).
This is what the LORD says
• Elisha anchors the promise in God’s unchanging character (Numbers 23:19; Jeremiah 1:9).
• Scripture’s consistent refrain—“Thus says the LORD”—underscores that true prophecy is God-breathed (2 Peter 1:21).
• The accuracy of previous words through Elisha (2 Kings 4:16-17; 6:12) guarantees credibility now.
About this time tomorrow
• God sets a 24-hour deadline, echoing precise time-stamped promises like Genesis 18:10 and Exodus 9:5.
• Such immediacy magnifies divine power; no gradual market correction could occur under siege conditions.
• Believers today can trust God’s timing, whether instantaneous or prolonged (Psalm 31:15).
At the gate of Samaria
• City gates were the marketplace and legal center (Ruth 4:1; 2 Samuel 15:2).
• Announcing the miracle “at the gate” means the whole population will witness it—not a private, unverifiable claim.
• God intends public vindication of His word (Isaiah 45:19).
A seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel
• The siege had driven prices to absurd heights—a donkey’s head fetched eighty shekels (2 Kings 6:25).
• A seah (about seven quarts) of premium flour for one shekel signals drastic price collapse and immediate availability—pure grace, not economic reform (Psalm 37:19).
• Echoes earlier acts where God supplied quality food in scarcity (2 Kings 4:42-44).
Two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel
• Barley, the commoner’s grain (John 6:9), appears in double quantity for the same low price, showing overflow (Leviticus 26:5; Joel 2:24).
• God cares for every class; both rich (fine flour) and poor (barley) benefit.
• The ratio also underscores predictability: the marketplace will stabilize normally, not erratically.
summary
Elisha pronounces a precise, marketplace-level promise straight from God. Within one day, the Almighty will overturn famine, break enemy oppression, and flood Samaria’s gate with affordable abundance. The passage calls readers to hear, believe, and rest in the sure word of the LORD, whose timing, power, and provision never fail.VII.
(1) Then Elisha said.-And Elisha said. The division of the chapters is unfortunate, there being no break in the story here. The prophet addresses the king and his attendants (2Kings 7:18).
A measure.-Heb., a seah: the most usual corn measure. (Comp. 1Kings 18:32; 2Kings 6:25.) The prophet’s words are more abrupt in the original: “Thus hath Jehovah said, About this time to-morrow a seah (in) fine flour at a shekel, and two seahs (in) barley at a shekel, in the gate of Samaria!”
Fine flour.-Genesis 18:6. . . . Verse 1. – Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord. This was a very solemn exordium, well calculated to arrest attention. It must be remembered that the prophet’s life was trembling in the balance. The executioner was present; the king had not revoked his order; the elders would probably have suffered the king to work his will. All depended on Elisha, by half a dozen words, changing the king’s mind. He therefore announces a Divine oracle (comp. 2 Chronicles 13:4; 2 Chronicles 15:2; 2 Chronicles 20:20; and for the exact expression, see Isaiah 1:10; Isaiah 28:14; Isaiah 29:5, etc.; Jeremiah 2:4; Jeremiah 7:2, etc.). Thus saith the Lord, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure – literally, a seah – of fine flour be sold for a shekel. The “seah” was probably about equal to a peck and a half English, the shekel of the time to about half a crown. Thus no extraordinary cheapness is promised, but only an enormous fall in prices from the rate current at the moment (2 Kings 7:25). Such a fall implied, almost necessarily, the discontinuance of the siege. Jehoram appears to have accepted the prophet’s solemn asseveration, and on the strength of it to have spared his life, at any rate till the result should be seen. And two measures – literally, seahs – of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. The gates, or rather gateways, of Oriental towns were spacious places, where business of various kinds was transacted. One at Nineveh had an area of above two thousand five hundred square feet. Kings often held their courts of justice in the city gates. On this occasion one of the gates of Samaria seems to have been used as a corn-market (comp. vers. 17-20). Parallel Commentaries …Then Elishaאֱלִישָׁ֔ע (’ĕ·lî·šā‘)Noun – proper – masculine singularStrong’s 477: Elisha – ‘God is salvation’, a well-known Israelite prophetsaid,וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb – Qal – Consecutive imperfect – third person masculine singularStrong’s 559: To utter, say“Hearשִׁמְע֖וּ (šim·‘ū)Verb – Qal – Imperative – masculine pluralStrong’s 8085: To hear intelligentlythe wordדְּבַר־ (də·ḇar-)Noun – masculine singular constructStrong’s 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a causeof the LORD!יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)Noun – proper – masculine singularStrong’s 3068: LORD – the proper name of the God of IsraelThis is whatכֹּ֣ה ׀ (kōh)AdverbStrong’s 3541: Like this, thus, here, nowthe LORDיְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)Noun – proper – masculine singularStrong’s 3068: LORD – the proper name of the God of Israelsays:אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)Verb – Qal – Perfect – third person masculine singularStrong’s 559: To utter, say‘About this timeכָּעֵ֤ת ׀ (kā·‘êṯ)Preposition-k, Article | Noun – common singularStrong’s 6256: Time, now, whentomorrowמָחָר֙ (mā·ḥār)AdverbStrong’s 4279: Deferred, the morrow, tomorrow, hereafterat the gateבְּשַׁ֥עַר (bə·ša·‘ar)Preposition-b | Noun – masculine singular constructStrong’s 8179: An opening, door, gateof Samaria,שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ (šō·mə·rō·wn)Noun – proper – feminine singularStrong’s 8111: Samaria – capital of northern kingdom of Israela seahסְאָֽה־ (sə·’āh-)Noun – feminine singularStrong’s 5429: A seah, certain measure, for, grainof fine flour [will sell]סֹ֣לֶת (sō·leṯ)Noun – feminine singularStrong’s 5560: Fine flourfor a shekel,בְּשֶׁ֗קֶל (bə·še·qel)Preposition-b | Noun – masculine singularStrong’s 8255: A weight, a commercial standardand two seahsוְסָאתַ֧יִם (wə·sā·ṯa·yim)Conjunctive waw | Noun – fdStrong’s 5429: A seah, certain measure, for, grainof barleyשְׂעֹרִ֛ים (śə·‘ō·rîm)Noun – feminine pluralStrong’s 8184: Barleywill sell for a shekel.’”בְּשֶׁ֖קֶל (bə·še·qel)Preposition-b | Noun – masculine singularStrong’s 8255: A weight, a commercial standard2 Kings 7:1 NIV2 Kings 7:1 NLT2 Kings 7:1 ESV2 Kings 7:1 NASB2 Kings 7:1 KJV2 Kings 7:1 BibleApps.com2 Kings 7:1 Biblia Paralela2 Kings 7:1 Chinese Bible2 Kings 7:1 French Bible2 Kings 7:1 Catholic BibleOT History: 2 Kings 7:1 Elisha said Hear you the word (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)