The Four Lepers Of Samaria

In 2 Kings 7, we learn about four lepers who were suffering because of a lack of food and drink. They didn’t have much because of their sickness. There was also a famine and a war between Samaria and the Syrians which made things worse. So they stood at the gate of the city and wondered if they should go in or go to the camp of the Syrians instead. They thought, in the city we will surely de because of the famine, but maybe the Syrians will be merciful and we will live another day. This was a lot to think about and fortunately, they made the right decision and went into the camp of the Syrians. What they found there will blow your mind, not just because of what they found, but because of why it took place. Here is that story. ¹“And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die. And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there. For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life. (2 Kings 7:4-7) Wow, God is so powerful, even to make the enemies scatter.

So we learn that God is so powerful as to cause the enemies to flee for their lives. We must realize that the God of the heavens is so much greater than we are in might and what He can accomplish. Therefore, if He desires to protect people on earth with a heavenly host of angels and chariots of fire, He can do it in an instant. The noise alone from this is so powerful, that it makes sense that the Syrians ran without taking anything back with them. And now we have the spoil of what they left for the four lepers and the people of Samaria. So what did the lepers do with what they found? It is recorded that ¹“when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it. Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household. So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were. And he called the porters; and they told it to the king’s house within.” (2 Kings 7:8-11) As you can see, they got more than they needed and also told the king and his men about what happened as well. So what can we learn from this? That the people who are least fortunate are blessed more than the rich, even in heaven their treasures are much. Because they did not have much in life, they are blessed in heaven because of their faith.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I believe in You. I trust in You. I know that You are there for us now as You have always been there for us over the centuries. It is just up to people now to realize what You can do for them, before any impact can be made for them for the better. I know first hand that Your hand of mercy is real. That You are able to take a person like me and move and shape me into the person I ought to be for Your kingdom. My amount of sins were great, but You still looked past them and had mercy for my soul. I am amazed that You were able to take me by the hand and also kick Satan to the curb. I was not left helpless, but have Your comfort and peace to carry me onward all my days. Even temptation is easier to withstand, because You dwell with me in my heart. Wow. You are such a great God, who loves us more than we will ever know. Thank You for protecting me these many months and years since I came to You in prayer. The enemies have been near, even at the door, and still You have not let me face them alone. Thank You for building me up and allowing me to have the necessary strength to fight these battles. I know that You are always watching out for me and others that truly love You with all our hearts. Even Your angels are here also to help us, that we may not fall. They comfort us, and I am so grateful to have them near me at all times. One day I know that I will be with You, my Lord, and all the angels in Your heavenly abode. What a wonderful time this will be. Until then, keep me safe from the storms of life. Help me draw near unto You and not the things of this world. Keep me from falling into sin, that I may the Holy Spirit with me at all times. My desire is to shine Your light, that all people will see You in me. Then will more people desire to have what You have given me, and also run to You as their personal Savior. I love You, Lord. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

2 Kings 7

¹2 Kings 7 (KJV)
1 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow 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 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
3 And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?
4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.
5 And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.
6 For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
7 Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.
8 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.
9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household.
10 So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were.
11 And he called the porters; and they told it to the king’s house within.
12 And the king arose in the night, and said unto his servants, I will now shew you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we be hungry; therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city.
13 And one of his servants answered and said, Let some take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city, (behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are left in it: behold, I say, they are even as all the multitude of the Israelites that are consumed:) and let us send and see.
14 They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.
15 And they went after them unto Jordan: and, lo, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king.
16 And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord.
17 And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.
18 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:
19 And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the Lord should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
20 And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died.