Topical Encyclopedia The Bible records several instances of famine, one of the most severe occurring during the siege of Samaria. This event is detailed in 2 Kings 6:24-7:20, where the city of Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, faced a dire famine as a result of a siege by the Arameans (Syrians) under King Ben-Hadad.Context and Background The siege of Samaria took place during the reign of King Jehoram (also known as Joram), the son of Ahab. The Arameans, led by Ben-Hadad, besieged the city, cutting off supplies and leading to extreme scarcity of food. The famine was so severe that it led to desperate and tragic circumstances within the city walls. Biblical Account The severity of the famine is vividly described in 2 Kings 6:25: "So there was a great famine in Samaria, and they besieged it until a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung for five shekels of silver." The exorbitant prices for such meager and unclean food items underscore the desperation of the situation. The narrative further illustrates the desperation through a harrowing account involving two women. In 2 Kings 6:28-29, one woman appeals to King Jehoram, recounting an agreement with another woman to eat their sons: "Then the king asked her, 'What is the matter?' And she answered, 'This woman said to me, "Give up your son, and we will eat him today, and tomorrow we will eat my son." So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, "Give up your son, and we will eat him," but she had hidden her son.'" This gruesome episode highlights the extreme conditions and moral decay resulting from the famine. Divine Intervention and Deliverance In response to the dire situation, the prophet Elisha prophesied deliverance. In 2 Kings 7:1, Elisha declared, "Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: 'About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel.'" This prophecy seemed impossible given the circumstances, yet it demonstrated God's power to provide and deliver His people. The fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy came through an unexpected turn of events. The Aramean army, hearing the sound of a great army, fled in panic, leaving behind their camp and supplies. As recorded in 2 Kings 7:16, "Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. So a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD." Theological Implications The famine during the siege of Samaria serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the nation's departure from God. It also highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to deliver His people in seemingly impossible situations. The account underscores the importance of faith and reliance on God's promises, as demonstrated by Elisha's prophecy and its fulfillment. This instance of famine, while tragic, ultimately reveals God's mercy and provision, offering hope and a call to repentance for the people of Israel. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 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. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Works and Letters of St. Ambrose In the House of his Heavenly, and in the Home of his Earthly ... Letter Liii. To Paulinus. Letter cxxiii. To Ageruchia. Questions. Resources What is the significance of Egypt in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Agabus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the story of Joseph and his brothers? | GotQuestions.org Famine: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Famine in Jerusalem, from Siege Famine: A Dearth of the Means of Grace Famine: Caused by Blasting and Mildew Famine: Caused by Devastation by Enemies Famine: Caused by God's Blessing Withheld Famine: Caused by Rotting of the Seed in the Ground Famine: Caused by Swarms of Insects Famine: Caused by Want of Seasonable Rain Famine: Caused: Blackness of the Skin Famine: Caused: Burning and Fever Famine: Caused: Grief and Mourning Famine: Caused: Wasting of the Body Famine: Expressed by Cleanness of Teeth Famine: Expressed by Taking Away the Stay of Bread Famine: Expressed by The Arrows of Famine Famine: God Provided for his People During Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Day of the Judges Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Days of Abraham Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Days of Isaac Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Days of Joseph Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Reign of Ahab Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Reign of Claudius Caesar Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Reign of David Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Time of Elisha Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Time of Jeremiah Famine: Instances of, in Scripture of Seven Years Foretold by Elisha Famine: Instances of, in Scripture: After the Captivity Famine: Instances of, in Scripture: Before Destruction of Jerusalem Famine: Instances of, in Scripture: During the Siege of Jerusalem Famine: Instances of, in Scripture: During the Siege of Samaria Famine: Often Accompanied by War Famine: Often Followed by Pestilence Famine: Often on Account of Sin Famine: One of God's Four Sore Judgments Famine: Pharaoh Forewarned of, in Dreams Famine: Provisions Sold by Weight During Famine: Righteous Delivered From Famine: Suffering of Brute Creation From Famine: The Jews in Their Restored State not to be Afflicted By Famine: Things Eaten During: Donkey's Flesh Famine: Things Eaten During: Dung Famine: Things Eaten During: Human Flesh Famine: Things Eaten During: Wild Herbs Related Terms |
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