2 kings 7:11 - He called the gatekeepers; and they told it to the king’s household within.

Generated Verse: 2 kings 7:11

What does "2 kings 7:11" mean?


This verse from 2 Kings 7:11 is part of the story of the Aramean (Syrian) army abandoning their siege of Samaria, leaving behind their supplies and wealth. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means in context:

"He called the gatekeepers...": "He" refers to one of the four lepers who had ventured out of the besieged city in search of food and discovered the abandoned Aramean camp. After realizing the camp was empty and full of provisions, he returned to inform the city. Since the gatekeepers controlled access in and out of Samaria, he went to them first.

"...and they told it to the king's household within.": The gatekeepers, upon hearing the leper's astonishing news, relayed the message to the royal palace ("king's household") inside the city. They informed the king's officials, servants, or members of his family about the lepers' discovery. The gatekeepers likely did not dare to open the gates and let the lepers in without the king's permission and confirmation of the news. This highlights the hierarchical structure of society and the importance of informing the king of such a significant event. The king's household would then presumably inform the king himself and further action would be taken.

In essence, the verse describes the process of communicating the news of the Aramean army's sudden departure to the king of Samaria, starting with the lepers who found the abandoned camp and passing through the gatekeepers to reach the king's inner circle.

What categories does "2 kings 7:11" have?