What does 2 Kings 7:18 mean?
"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:" - 2 Kings 7:18
2 Kings 7:18 (KJV) reads: "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 tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria."
This verse comes from the biblical book of 2 Kings, which chronicles the history of the kings of Israel and Judah. In the context of this particular verse, the city of Samaria was under siege by the Arameans, and the people were suffering from a severe famine. In the preceding verses, Elisha the prophet had prophesied that the famine would come to an end, and food would be abundantly available in Samaria within a day. This verse records the fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy and the provision of food to the people of Samaria.
The verse carries several important themes, including the faithfulness of God, the power of prophecy, and the concept of divine provision. It also highlights the consequences of disobedience and the blessings that come from being obedient to God.
One of the key themes in this verse is the faithfulness of God. Throughout the Bible, God consistently demonstrates His faithfulness to His people. In this particular instance, God fulfills Elisha's prophecy and provides for the needs of the people of Samaria, despite the seemingly impossible circumstances they were facing. This serves as a reminder that God is always true to His word and can be relied upon to come through for His people, even in the most desperate situations.
Another important theme in this verse is the power of prophecy. Elisha, as a man of God, was used by God to deliver a message of hope and provision to the king and the people of Samaria. His words were not empty or meaningless; they were rooted in the authority and power of God. This highlights the significance of prophetic utterances in the Bible and the way in which they serve to reveal God's will and bring about His purposes.
The concept of divine provision is also evident in this verse. The fact that food would be available in abundance at the gate of Samaria within a day was an extraordinary example of God's provision for His people. It demonstrates God's ability to supply all of our needs, even in the midst of scarcity and famine. This serves as a powerful reminder that God is able to provide for His people in miraculous ways, and that we can trust in His provision even when circumstances seem bleak.
Additionally, this verse illustrates the consequences of disobedience and the blessings of obedience. The famine that Samaria was experiencing was a result of the people's disobedience to God's commandments. However, when they heeded Elisha's prophecy and took action accordingly, they were blessed with an abundance of food. This serves as a reminder that obedience to God's word brings blessings, while disobedience leads to negative consequences.
In terms of symbolism, the provision of food in the midst of famine can be seen as a symbol of God's faithfulness and His ability to bring life and sustenance in the midst of death and deprivation. It can also be symbolic of the spiritual nourishment that God provides for His people, as He sustains them with His word and His presence even in difficult times.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 7:18 (KJV) is a verse that contains rich themes and powerful symbolism. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness, the significance of prophecy, the concept of divine provision, and the consequences of obedience and disobedience. It encourages readers to trust in God's promises, to heed His word, and to rely on His provision even in the most desperate circumstances.
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2 Kings 7:18 - "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:"
"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:" - 2 Kings 7:18
2 Kings 18:7 - "And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not."
2 Kings 7:2
2 Kings 14:18 - "And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 1:18 - "Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
"And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not." - 2 Kings 18:7
1 Kings 2:18 - "And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king."
1 Kings 7:18 - "And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter."
2 Kings 8:18 - "And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD."
2 Kings 18:18 - "And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder."
1 Kings 18:2 - "And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria."
2 Kings 7:11 - "And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within."
2 Kings 18:15 - "And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house."
2 Kings 18:36 - "But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."
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."
"And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" - 2 Kings 14:18
2 Kings 3:18 - "And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand."
2 Kings 18:33 - "Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?"
1 Kings 18:7 - "¶ And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?"
2 Kings 18:5 - "He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him."
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 16:18 - "And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria."
2 Kings 4:18 - "¶ And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers."
2 Kings 2:18 - "And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?"
2 Kings 18:3 - "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did."
2 Kings 25:18 - "¶ And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:"
2 Kings 18:28 - "Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:"
2 Kings 18:10 - "And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken."
2 Kings 18:8 - "He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city."