2 Kings 7 Elisha prophesieth incredible plenty in Samaria; and the death of a great lord, who would not believe the prophecy, 2 Kings 7:1–2. Four lepers visit the camp of the Syrians, and bring tidings of their flight, being hasted away by God, 2 Kings 7:3–11.

Elisha said; either to the messenger, to be reported to the king; or rather, to the king, being then come to him, as it is expressed, 1 Kings 7:18; and to his courtiers, who were come with him, 1 Kings 7:2.

On whose hand the king leaned, when he walked. See 2 Kings 5:18. If the Lord would make windows, through which he could rain down corn, as once he did manna.

At the entering in of the gate, to wit, of the city, out of which they were shut by virtue of God’s law, Lev. 13:46, Lev. 14:3 either the the dwelling place of the lepers was near the gate, or they were come very near to the gate, for fear of the Syrians.

in the twilight; in the evening twilight, as appears from 2 Kings 7:9, 2 Kings 7:12.

To hear a noise; either in the air; or rather, in their ears; otherwise the Samaritans had heard it. The Hittites under which name (as elsewhere under the name of the Amorites) he seems to understand all or any of the people of Canaan.

To save their lives; which they fancied to be in such present and extreme danger, that they durst not stay to take away any of their goods, but every man fled the next way before him.

We do not well; not well for our brethren, whom we should pity, and help; nor well for ourselves; for we may suffer for this neglect; either from the Syrians, who may lie lurking hereabouts; or from our king and people; or from God’s immediate hand.

They told them, to wit, the porter and his companies.

The porters; either his fellow porters of the city; or rather, the porters or guards of the gate of the king’s house.

So the sense is, We may well venture these horses, though we have no more, because both they and we are ready to perish through hunger; and therefore let us use them whilst we may for our common good, or to make the discovery.

Two chariot horses, or, two chariots of horses; or rather, two chariot horses, as divers render the words, i.e. horses which belonged to the king’s chariots. For single horses seem much more proper for this service than chariots and horses.

In their haste, or, in their fear, or consternation, wherewith God struck them.

To have the charge of the gate; partly to prevent tumults and disorders and mischiefs amongst the people; and partly to take order about the shutting of the gates, if need were, and if the Syrians should happen to return upon them.