Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 7
Samaria had a wall for its defence, which completely surrounded the city. There was only one entrance into the city, where there was a strong gate.
Outside this gate, there lived four men. Probably, these men had previously lived in the city. However, they then became ill with leprosy, the same skin disease that Naaman had suffered from (chapter 5).
God’s law for people in Israel with that disease did not allow them to remain in the city (Numbers 5:1-4). So, these men went to live outside the city because of their illness. They perhaps built simple shelters as their homes. Probably, they were very poor. Near to the city gate they could ask people for money as they entered and left the city.
Usually, that was a busy place. However, for the last few months, nobody had entered or left the city. The army of Aram had camped round it, and now the people in the city were desperate for food. These four men who lived just outside the city were desperate too. They could only eat whatever wild food they could collect. They were sure that they would starve.
Until now, they had not dared to approach the enemy’s camp. However, their hunger gave them a reason to be bold. They also had hope. They knew that the enemy soldiers might kill them; but they hoped that they might allow them to live. Perhaps they were even trusting God to help them. They probably had not heard how God had promised to rescue the city from its enemies that night (7:1).
Next part: Aram's army runs away (2 Kings 7:5-7)
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