2 kings 7:3 - Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate. They said to one another, “Why do we sit here until we die?
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What does "2 kings 7:3" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 7:3 sets the stage for a remarkable story about deliverance and hope. Let's break down what it means:
"Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate": This establishes the setting. Leprosy was a dreaded disease in ancient times, causing skin lesions, nerve damage, and social isolation. Lepers were considered unclean and were often forced to live outside the city walls, away from the healthy population. The "entrance of the gate" was a common spot for them, as it was a place where they might beg for food or receive charity.
"They said to one another, 'Why do we sit here until we die?'": This reveals their predicament and their developing mindset. They're in a desperate situation. They are outside the city, facing certain death from starvation. The city is under siege, and famine is rampant (as described in the previous verses of 2 Kings 6). If they stay where they are, they will undoubtedly die. The question, "Why do we sit here until we die?" reflects a turning point: a realization that they have nothing to lose by taking a risk. They're facing the grim reality of their situation and beginning to consider alternatives, even dangerous ones.
In essence, the verse highlights:
Desperation: The men are in a hopeless situation due to their disease and the city's siege.
Realization: They recognize that remaining inactive guarantees their death.
Impending Action: This realization is the catalyst for them to consider taking a risk in the hope of survival, setting up the rest of the chapter's narrative.
Context is Important
The subsequent verses detail their decision to go to the Aramean camp, hoping to find food or be taken prisoner. They reason that even if they are killed by the Arameans, it's no worse than starving to death. God intervenes, causing the Aramean army to hear the sound of a vast, approaching army, leading them to flee in terror, leaving behind all their supplies. The leprous men then discover the abandoned camp and find it full of food and riches. Their discovery leads to the deliverance of the entire city.
Therefore, this seemingly simple verse is crucial because it marks the moment when these outcasts, facing certain death, choose to take a chance, a decision that ultimately leads to salvation for themselves and the entire city of Samaria. It's a story of how those considered the least, the most marginalized, can become instruments of God's provision and deliverance.
2 kings 7:3 - Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate. They said to one another, “Why do we sit here until we die?
What does "2 kings 7:3" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 7:3 sets the stage for a remarkable story about deliverance and hope. Let's break down what it means:
"Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate": This establishes the setting. Leprosy was a dreaded disease in ancient times, causing skin lesions, nerve damage, and social isolation. Lepers were considered unclean and were often forced to live outside the city walls, away from the healthy population. The "entrance of the gate" was a common spot for them, as it was a place where they might beg for food or receive charity.
"They said to one another, 'Why do we sit here until we die?'": This reveals their predicament and their developing mindset. They're in a desperate situation. They are outside the city, facing certain death from starvation. The city is under siege, and famine is rampant (as described in the previous verses of 2 Kings 6). If they stay where they are, they will undoubtedly die. The question, "Why do we sit here until we die?" reflects a turning point: a realization that they have nothing to lose by taking a risk. They're facing the grim reality of their situation and beginning to consider alternatives, even dangerous ones.
In essence, the verse highlights:
Desperation: The men are in a hopeless situation due to their disease and the city's siege.
Realization: They recognize that remaining inactive guarantees their death.
Impending Action: This realization is the catalyst for them to consider taking a risk in the hope of survival, setting up the rest of the chapter's narrative.
Context is Important
The subsequent verses detail their decision to go to the Aramean camp, hoping to find food or be taken prisoner. They reason that even if they are killed by the Arameans, it's no worse than starving to death. God intervenes, causing the Aramean army to hear the sound of a vast, approaching army, leading them to flee in terror, leaving behind all their supplies. The leprous men then discover the abandoned camp and find it full of food and riches. Their discovery leads to the deliverance of the entire city.
Therefore, this seemingly simple verse is crucial because it marks the moment when these outcasts, facing certain death, choose to take a chance, a decision that ultimately leads to salvation for themselves and the entire city of Samaria. It's a story of how those considered the least, the most marginalized, can become instruments of God's provision and deliverance.