And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver.
Read it in contextThe Siege and Famine of Samaria
Start reading at 2 Kings 6:24 (2 Kings 6:24 to 2 Kings 6:33).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
6:24And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.
6:25And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver.
6:26And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.
6:27And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?
6:28And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.
6:29So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.
6:30And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.
6:31Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.
6:32But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?
6:33And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer?
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Who
Who wrote the book? Jeremiah is the traditional Jewish attribution to Kings. The completed work incorporates records of Israel and Judah and events during exile; its final compiler is uncertain. Biblical references: 2 Kings 15:11; 2 Kings 25:27. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Kings 6:1–7:20): Elisha, the prophetic community, Israel's king, Syrian forces, and the besieged people of Samaria are involved in the successive conflict and deliverance scenes. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Israelite and Judean community in and after the exile, reflecting on why both kingdoms fell and what remained of the Davidic line. Biblical references: 2 Kings 17:7; 2 Kings 23:27; 2 Kings 25:27. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? The Siege and Famine of Samaria. Read 2 Kings 6:24 through 2 Kings 6:33 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The book continues the divided-kingdom histories through Assyria's conquest of Israel and Babylon's conquest of Judah, ending with a notice concerning Jehoiachin. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Israel and Judah, including Samaria and Jerusalem, and ends with exile in Babylon. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Siege and Famine of Samaria (2 Kings 6:24 to 2 Kings 6:33).
Start reading at 2 Kings 6:24. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus cites the cleansing of Naaman in His discourse at Nazareth. This supplies a specific connection to the book's prophetic narratives and challenges assumptions about privilege. See 2 Kings 5:14, Luke 4:27. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Hear warnings before repeated refusal hardens into habit. Reform, repentance, and faithfulness should be assessed from the narrated response to God's word, not merely a ruler's reputation. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings 6
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin.
Connection to the wholeBabylon's conquest ends the kingdom's rule in Jerusalem; the closing notice concerning Jehoiachin leaves the reader beyond the destruction itself.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.