The Four Lepers and the Siege of Samaria

Samaria is besieged by the Syrians, and the famine is terrible. Elisha announces, “To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.” The king’s officer scoffs: “if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be?” At the entrance of the gate, four lepers reason it out: to die here or in the city is all the same, so they might as well throw themselves on the Syrian camp. At twilight they arrive: not a soul! The Lord had made the Syrians hear the noise of chariots and horses, and they had fled, leaving behind their tents, horses, and donkeys. The lepers eat and drink and hide away some gold, then think better of it: “We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings.” They warn the king. The people plunder the camp, Elisha’s word is fulfilled, and the unbelieving officer is trampled at the gate.