And the king asked her, “What is your trouble?” She answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.'” (2 Kings 6:28)
Today we look at the famine in Samaria due to the Syrian siege, leading to extreme desperation. Elisha prophesies God’s deliverance, but the King’s commander doubts and misses out on the blessing.
This story is one that highlights the themes of faith in dire circumstances and the consequences of disbelief.
In 2 Kings 6:24-7:20, the people of Samaria experience extreme famine due to the Syrian siege. The city is stripped of its resources, leading to unimaginable desperation where even mothers consider cannibalism.
The King of Israel, in his despair, turned his anger towards Elisha, holding him responsible for the calamity.
In the midst of this chaos, Elisha delivers a surprising prophecy: God will miraculously provide deliverance and abundance. This declaration is met with skepticism, particularly from the King’s commander, who doubts God’s ability to intervene in such a dire situation.
Elisha’s prophecy is fulfilled, but the commander’s disbelief leads to his demise, illustrating the severe consequences of a lack of faith.
This story challenges us to consider our own responses to desperate circumstances. When faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, it is very easy to lose hope. However, Elisha’s unwavering faith and the miraculous outcome remind us that God’s power transcends our circumstances.
Daily Questions
- Have you ever faced a situation so dire that it seemed impossible to find a way out?
- Do you, like the King and his commander, allow despair to cloud your faith, or do you cling to God’s promisies even when the situation seems hopeless?
2 Kings 6:24-33
Afterward Benhadad king of Syria mustered his entire army, and went up, and besieged Samaria. And there was a great famine in Samaria, as they besieged it, until an ass’s head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove’s dung for five shekels of silver. Now as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, a woman cried out to him saying, “Help, my Lord, O king!” And he said, “If the Lord will not help you, when we shall I help you? From the threshing floor, or from the wine press?” And the king asked her, “What is your trouble?” She answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’ So we boiled my son, and are him. And on the next day I said to her, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him’; but she had hidden er son.” When the king heard the words of the woman he rent his clothes – now he was passing by upon the wall – and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath upon his body – and he said, “May God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders today.” Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. Now the king had dispatched a man from his presence; but before the messenger arrived Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent to take off my head? Look when the messenger comes, shut the door, and hold the door fast against him. And while he was still speaking with them, the king came down to him and said, “This trouble is from the Lord! Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?”
Daily Prayer
Heavenly Father, when difficult moments arise keep our hearts and our minds steadfast on You. We will not lose focus on what is impotant but instead we will keep our hearts and our thoughts centered on You and Your word.
We will not allow the drought of this world to cause us to compromise our beliefs and devour the promise that You have given us. We will not allow emotion from challenges to cause us to harm others in our lives simply because we’re upset or don’t have the answers we desire.
Instead open our lives up and bless us with supernatural abundance and provision like You did for the lepers in 2 Kings 6:24-7:20). As You do, give us the access to tell others where Your blessings are flowing so that they too may be free from seasons of lack and despair. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Reflection
Examine the areas in your life where you feel hopeless and desperate. Are there situations that seem impossible to overcome? Reflect on Elisha’s faith and the miraculous deliverance that came from God despite the dire circumstances.
This week, commit to trusting God’s provison and timing. Instead of succumbing to despair, choose to hold on to the assurance of His promises. Pray for increased faith and the strength to believe in God’s deliverance, even when you cannot see the way out.
No Thought Police 