What does 2 Kings 7:17 mean?
"¶ 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." - 2 Kings 7:17
The verse 2 Kings 7:17 from the King James Version Bible states, "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."
This verse comes from the Book of 2 Kings in the Old Testament, which is a historical account of the kings of Israel and Judah and the prophets who served during their reigns. This particular verse is part of a larger narrative about the prophet Elisha and a prophecy he made concerning the famine in Samaria.
To understand the meaning and commentary of this verse, it's important to look at the context in which it is situated. At the time, Samaria was besieged by the Arameans, and the famine within the city was severe. Elisha, as a prophet of God, had promised that within 24 hours, there would be an abundance of food in Samaria. This prophecy came to pass when the Arameans fled in fear, leaving behind their tents, horses, donkeys, and provisions. Four men with leprosy, who were at the outskirts of the city, discovered this abundance and shared the news with the people of Samaria.
In the larger context of 2 Kings 7, we see a theme of God's faithfulness and provision. Despite the desperation and hopelessness of the situation, God intervened miraculously to provide for His people. This theme resonates throughout the Bible, highlighting God's sovereignty and his care for His people, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Now, turning our attention specifically to 2 Kings 7:17, we see the aftermath of the fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy. The king, who was initially skeptical of Elisha's prophecy, appointed the nobleman on whose arm he had been leaning to oversee the distribution of the provisions that the Arameans had left behind. However, when the people rushed to take advantage of the newfound abundance, the nobleman was trampled in the gate and died, just as Elisha had foretold.
This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of doubt and lack of faith. The nobleman's skepticism and doubt may have contributed to his tragic end. It also serves as a reminder of the power and authority of God's word, as spoken through his prophets. Elisha's prophecy was fulfilled exactly as he had stated, further validating his role as a true prophet of God.
The symbolism in this verse is striking. The nobleman, who was initially in a position of authority and privilege as a trusted advisor to the king, met a tragic end through his lack of faith. This serves as a warning about the dangers of relying on our own understanding and not heeding the word of God. Additionally, the gate, where the nobleman met his demise, represents a threshold or boundary. This can be seen as a metaphor for the consequences of being on the wrong side of God's will and disobeying His word.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 7:17 is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness, the consequences of doubt and lack of faith, and the authority of God's word as spoken through His prophets. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of heeding God's word and the perils of disbelief. The larger context of the passage also highlights God's miraculous provision and care for His people, even in the most challenging of circumstances. Overall, this verse provides valuable lessons and insights for readers about the nature of faith, obedience, and the sovereignty of God.
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2 Kings 7:17 - "¶ 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."
"¶ 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." - 2 Kings 7:17
2 Kings 17:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him."
2 Kings 17:7 - "For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,"
2 Kings 7:2
2 Kings 19:17 - "Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,"
Daniel 7:17 - "These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth."
1 Kings 17:7 - "And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land."
1 Kings 17:2 - "And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,"
1 Kings 7:17 - "And nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter."
2 Kings 17:40 - "Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner."
2 Kings 17:8 - "And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 7:11 - "And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within."
2 Kings 7:7 - "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."
2 Kings 17:17 - "And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him." - 2 Kings 17:2
"Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands," - 2 Kings 19:17
2 Kings 17:19 - "Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made."
2 Kings 2:7 - "And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan."
2 Kings 17:5 - "¶ Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years."
2 Kings 24:17 - "¶ And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah."
2 Kings 17:22 - "For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;"
2 Kings 17:12 - "For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing."
2 Kings 17:14 - "Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God."
2 Kings 11:17 - "¶ And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people."
2 Kings 17:3 - "Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents."
2 Kings 17:10 - "And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:"
2 Kings 14:17 - "¶ And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years."
2 Kings 2:17 - "And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not."