Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 6
Joram had absolutely insisted that he could do nothing to help the woman, or anyone else in the city. Still, she had now gained his attention. If she had anything to say to him, she should now say it.
So, the woman took the opportunity to explain her legal problem to the king. It was worse, and more awful, than anything that Joram could even imagine.
The people in the city had become truly desperate for food. Already, the only food that people could buy completely disgusted them (6:25). They had used all their money to buy this awful food. Then, another woman proposed a plan to this woman, by which they could both stay alive a little longer.
They both had children, who were certain to die of hunger with them. So, the other woman proposed to kill the children for the small amount of meat that they could obtain from their bodies. So, the two women killed and ate the first woman’s son. However, the other woman had no intention to hand over her own son. So, the woman whose son had died, appealed to the king.
It is very strange to compare this awful incident with Solomon’s decision in 1 Kings 3:16-28. Then, too, two women argued about their rights to a living child. Solomon answered them with special wisdom from God. However, Joram had no such wisdom – in fact, it seems that he was unable to give any answer whatever to the woman. Solomon saved the boy’s life – but Joram was unable either to save the boy or to hand him over for death. Joram could only see that the situation in Samaria was absolutely terrible. In this situation, he did not turn back to God – rather he turned against God and against Elisha.
Next part: Royal clothes on top of sackcloth (2 Kings 6:30)
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