So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, 'Give up your son, that we may eat him.' But she had hidden her son." So we boiled my son and ate him,The siege of Samaria had reduced the city to a famine so dreadful that mothers committed acts forbidden by nature and condemned by the law of God. Moses had warned that covenant rebellion would bring a siege in which parents would eat their own children (Leviticus 26:29; Deuteronomy 28:53–57). Israel’s suffering did not arise from a powerless God but from persistent refusal to turn from idolatry and unbelief. Lam 4:10 The hands of compassionate women have cooked… and the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’ The women’s agreement exposes the collapse of ordinary human trust, family affection, and social order under judgment. Samaria’s leaders and people had not sought the Lord with repentance, even while His prophetic word was present among them through Elisha. Desperation had driven them to the very curses God had declared would follow hardened disobedience. Jer 19:9 I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters,… But she had hidden her son.” The other mother broke the agreement in an attempt to preserve her child, leaving the first woman bereaved and desperate for justice. Her appeal to the king brought the famine’s horror into public view. The king’s grief was real, yet his anger soon turned against Elisha rather than against the sin that had brought judgment. God would nevertheless show mercy to Samaria, demonstrating that deliverance depended on His word and grace rather than on human strength. Exo 2:2-3 and she conceived and gave birth to a son.… Persons / Places / Events 1. The King of IsraelThe unnamed king during this time, likely King Jehoram, who was ruling the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He was faced with a dire situation during the siege of Samaria. 2. The Two Women These women represent the desperate citizens of Samaria during the siege. Their account highlights the extreme conditions and moral decay resulting from the siege. 3. Samaria The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which was under siege by the Arameans. The city faced severe famine, leading to desperate acts. 4. The Siege by Arameans The Arameans, led by King Ben-Hadad, besieged Samaria, cutting off supplies and causing a severe famine. 5. Elisha the Prophet Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Elisha plays a significant role in the surrounding account, providing hope and divine intervention. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceThe events in 2 Kings 6:29 serve as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of turning away from God. The Israelites' disobedience led to judgment and suffering, fulfilling the warnings given in the Law. Desperation and Moral Decay The moral decay depicted in this passage shows how extreme circumstances can lead to desperate and sinful actions. It challenges us to consider how we respond to crises and the importance of maintaining faith and integrity. God's Sovereignty and Deliverance Despite the dire situation, the broader account reveals God's sovereignty and ability to deliver His people. This encourages believers to trust in God's timing and provision, even when circumstances seem hopeless. The Role of Prophets and God's Word Elisha's presence in the account highlights the importance of listening to God's prophets and adhering to His word. It reminds us of the value of seeking divine guidance in times of trouble. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of the two women in 2 Kings 6:29 illustrate the consequences of Israel's disobedience to God?2. In what ways can we see the fulfillment of the warnings given in Deuteronomy 28 in this passage, and how does this apply to our lives today? 3. How can we maintain our faith and moral integrity during times of personal or communal crisis, as seen in the account of the siege of Samaria? 4. What role does Elisha play in the broader account of 2 Kings 6-7, and how does this encourage us to seek God's guidance? 5. How can we apply the lessons of God's sovereignty and deliverance from this passage to our current life situations? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28:53-57This passage outlines the curses for disobedience, including the horrific act of cannibalism during a siege, which directly connects to the events in 2 Kings 6:29. Lamentations 4:10 This verse describes similar desperate conditions during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, showing a recurring theme of extreme suffering due to disobedience and judgment. 2 Kings 7:1-2 The continuation of the account where Elisha prophesies the end of the famine, demonstrating God's power to deliver even in the darkest times.
People Aram, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Elisha, Shaphat, SyriansPlaces Dothan, Jordan River, Samaria, SyriaTopics Ate, Boil, Boiled, Boiling, Eat, Hid, Hidden, Hideth, Meal, SecretDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 6:24-29 4438 eating Library Young Man! a Prayer for YouTHIS YOUNG MAN waited upon a prophet: he could not have had a more instructive occupation; yet his eyes needed to be opened. He was well disposed towards good things, for the tone of his language to his master shows that he was heartily at one with him; but his eyes were not yet half opened. Being in great alarm for his master's safety, he ran to him to warn him: good servants should be their master's best friends. In return, his believing master prays for him. If we desire the good of our servants, … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 Of the Practice of Piety in Fasting. Whether a Mann is Bound to Correct his Prelate? The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Administration The Christian Convert Warned Of, and Animated against those Discouragements which He must Expect to Meet when Entering on a Religious Course. In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God Distinguished by Certain Marks from Fictitious Gods. The Helpless State of the Sinner under Condemnation. Prayer May one Lose the Blessing? Meditations for the Morning. Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It. A Cloud of Witnesses. Kings Links 2 Kings 6:29 NIV2 Kings 6:29 NLT 2 Kings 6:29 ESV 2 Kings 6:29 NASB 2 Kings 6:29 KJV 2 Kings 6:29 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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