The Beginning: The Aramean army under Ben-hadad surrounds Samaria, cutting off supplies and driving the city into severe famine. Desperation grows so extreme that shocking reports of cannibalism reach the king of Israel. In anguish and anger, the king seeks to blame Elisha, the prophet of the LORD.
The Middle: Elisha declares that the famine will end immediately: by the next day, food will be plentiful and affordable at Samaria’s gate. A royal officer doubts this promise, and Elisha foretells that the officer will witness the abundance but not eat of it. Outside the city, four lepers decide that remaining where they are means death, so they go to the Aramean camp to surrender—only to find it deserted. The LORD has caused the Arameans to hear the sound of a vast approaching force, and they flee in panic, leaving behind food, supplies, and wealth.
The End: The lepers report the discovery, and the city confirms the Aramean withdrawal. The people rush out and plunder the abandoned camp, and the marketplace immediately reflects the abundance exactly as Elisha had spoken. In the surge at the gate, the doubting officer is trampled and dies—seeing the fulfillment but not sharing in it.
This account emphasizes the LORD’s sovereignty over nations, events, and human limitations: siege and famine do not restrict His ability to provide. God’s deliverance comes through His prophetic word, showing that His promises are reliable even when circumstances appear impossible. The story also highlights accountability to God’s revelation—faith and unbelief do not change what God will do, but they shape how individuals participate in His saving provision.
Siege warfare in the ancient Near East commonly aimed to starve a city into surrender by blocking access to fields, wells, and trade routes. Biblical descriptions of extreme famine during sieges align with what is known from ancient records: prolonged encirclement could collapse social order and produce horrific survival conditions, underscoring how sudden Samaria’s reversal is portrayed in the narrative.
“Hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the LORD, ‘Tomorrow about this time…’” — 2 Kings 7:1
Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.
1. What did Elisha say would happen by the next day at Samaria’s gate?
2. Why did the Aramean army flee and leave their camp deserted?