Samaria is in a dreadful situation due to this siege, but the prophet Elisha now promises there would be such an abundance of food the next day the price of food would be slashed (v1). The response to what he says is sceptical to say the least (v2).

But then we have this amazing story of hungry lepers leaving the entrance of Samaria to go into the camp of the Syrians (v3-4). When they enter the camp there is no one there (v5). God had created a panic among the Syrian army that made them all flee (v6-7). The lepers now have this great feast before them (v8) but soon realise it wouldn’t have been the right thing to keep this good news and abundance to themselves (v9).

The challenge is here for those who have received the riches of grace and salvation in Jesus, who will we share this good news with today? This is a message if we hold to ourselves we are so selfish.

What Elisha prophesied (v1) has now come true (v16-20). Sadly, for the one who had been sceptical, he did not share in the blessing because of God’s judgment. This warns us never to doubt the power and goodness of God. We need to be so careful we don’t have a cynical spirit that hinders God’s people.