“Then they said to each other, ‘We’re not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. … Let’s go at once and report this to the royal palace.’”
2 Kings 7:9a
Samaria was under siege, surrounded by the Aramean army. The gates of the city remained closed day and night; people were dying of starvation. Four lepers lingered outside the city gate, hoping against hope for a handout of some rotted fruit or infested grain to sustain them for another day. One afternoon they reasoned among themselves, “Why stay here until we die?” (v. 3)
So they decided to approach the Aramean camp, figuring that there was a slight possibility that they might be spared. At dusk, they moved toward the enemy camp, but no one was there! The Lord had caused the Arameans to hear horses and chariots, as if a great army approached to aid the Samaritans. So they fled, leaving behind their tents and animals. The lepers were delighted. They filled themselves with good food and loaded their pockets with gold and silver, which they carried away and hid.
Suddenly, they realized they were being selfish and decided to go tell the porter at the city gate and share the good news with the starving citizens of the city.
So they decided to approach the Aramean camp, figuring that there was a slight possibility that they might be spared. At dusk, they moved toward the enemy camp, but no one was there! The Lord had caused the Arameans to hear horses and chariots, as if a great army approached to aid the Samaritans. So they fled, leaving behind their tents and animals. The lepers were delighted. They filled themselves with good food and loaded their pockets with gold and silver, which they carried away and hid.
Suddenly, they realized they were being selfish and decided to go tell the porter at the city gate and share the good news with the starving citizens of the city.
Scripture Focus
2 Kings 7:3-11
Insight
Are we like the four lepers were at first, discovering the joy of salvation and not sharing it? Let’s not keep the good news to ourselves!
Bible In A Year
- Genesis 24
- Psalm 12
- Matthew 19-20
