[2KG:6:24-33]; [2KG:7:1-20]; [2KG:8:1-15].
Lesson 316 - Junior
Memory Verse
"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (Psalm 37:25).
Notes
Samaria
Jehoram, the king of Israel, lived in the city of Samaria. He was the king of the northern kingdom which was made up of ten tribes of the Children of Israel. Samaria, the capital, was built upon a hill [1KG:16:23-24]). Such a location would be an advantage against any enemy because the guards would be able to sight anyone from a distance. In the days of Ahab; Ben-hadad, king of Syria, had gathered his armies in war against Samaria [1KG:20:1]). There were 32 kings to help Ben-hadad. God helped the Children of Israel when they went to battle against the enemy. Many Syrians were slain, but Ben-hadad, the king, escaped. Ahab had the opportunity of destroying Ben-hadad, an enemy of God and of His people. Instead, Ahab made a covenant with Ben-hadad and permitted him to return to his home. God was not pleased to have Ahab allow the enemy to escape. Ahab was told that both he and his people would suffer because of his failure. ().Famine
The king of Syria came again to war against the Children of Israel. In a previous lesson we studied how God protected and delivered His prophet when the Syrian armies surrounded the town in which Elisha was staying. They failed to capture Elisha because God was with him. Ben-hadad, king of Syria, decided to try again to capture the city of Samaria. His scheme was to surround the hill, cutting off all the supplies and causing a famine in the city. In those days, all the people lived in the city and brought in the food from their farms. When no one could leave or enter the city because of the enemy, the food supply became less and less. Finally there was a famine in Samaria. There was nothing to eat but that which was considered unclean for food, and the price charged for that was more than many people could pay. The Israelites were desperate for food, and it seemed that they would starve to death.A Promise
Jehoram, king of Israel, blamed God for this trouble. We do not read that Jehoram asked the prophet to pray or that the king called all the people to prayer. No doubt God would have helped them sooner if they had called upon Him and prayed. Jehoram decided to take some action rather than to wait upon God to deliver them. He threatened to kill God's prophet, but that did not frighten Elisha. He prophesied, saying, "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." In one day there would be such a changed " from hunger to plenty! From high prices for unclean food to low prices for the finest foods! How could such things be?Doubt
People today sometimes become impatient rather than pray and continue to trust God. They fail to receive the blessing because they give up too soon. The Psalmist David said, "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass" [PS:37:5]). There are other people who do not receive the blessings of the Lord because they doubt, like the king's helper. He did not believe the words of Elisha when he said that the Lord had promised an abundance of food the next day. The king's helper asked, "Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be?" Because of his unbelief, he was told that he would see the food but he would not eat any of it. God could have made windows in heaven through which the food supply could have been sent. But that was not the way God used to provide for His people at this time.In Need
There were four lepers who, according to the Law, had to live outside the city [LEV:13:46]). They usually received their food from those who took it to the city. Since the city gates remained closed and none were allowed to go in and out, the lepers were in need of food. They talked things over to decide what to do. To remain where they were meant death. To go into the city where there was a famine would mean death, too. If they went to the camp of the Syrians, they might be killed, but they had one hope -" the Syrians might spare them. They decided to visit the camp of the Syrian armies.One Hope
In the twilight as the lepers approached the edge of the enemy's camp, they could see no man, not even a sentry. They entered a tent. Still no one was to be seen, so the lepers ate the food that was there because they were hungry. They went from tent to tent but the camp was empty except for food and valuables.God's Way
This was God's way of providing for the city of Samaria. The Lord had caused the soldiers in the Syrian camp to hear a noise, which sounded like approaching armies. They thought they heard many chariots, many horses, and a great army. The Syrians then said that the king of Israel must have hired armies to fight against them. They wee frightened and fled for their lives. It would soon be dark and they dared not wait to gather their belongings together. They all fled from the camp, leaving their tents, horses, supplies, and valuables. They hurried away, leaving the camp as it was. The four lepers came and found the camp deserted.An Abundance
When they had eaten, and had hidden for themselves some of the clothing and money, they remembered the hungry people in the city. The lepers said: "We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace." To the city gate they went, to tell what they had found.Leprosy and Sin
When we studied about leprosy before, we learned that leprosy is sometimes spoken of as a type of sin. How do these four lepers in our lesson compare with sinners? The lepers realised that they were in need and that they would die if they stayed there. They said, "Why sit we here until we die?" They had one hope " the Syrians might spare them. The lepers did more than just talk about it; they showed some action. A sinner must realise his lost and undone condition before God. He must realise that he is in need, and to remain in that condition will mean death. A sinner has only one hope " the Blood of Jesus that can wash away his sins. To know these things is not enough. One must act. He must draw near to God and seek His face. There are many people in the world who know that they are not right before God, and they also know of salvation. If they continue in that condition, they will not be saved. What kind of person are you? Are you saved? or are you in need of God's saving grace? If you are like the four lepers in our lesson, why not say with them, "Why sit we here until we die?" Why not move toward your only hope, which is Jesus?Spreading the Good News
After a person has been saved, and has feasted on spiritual food, he has a desire in his heart to tell others. There is an abundance of blessings which he wants to share with those who are in spiritual need. There are many ways in which a person can spread the Gospel. He will want to give his testimony, to tell what God has done for him. He will want to invite others to attend church and Sunday School. He can spread the good news of salvation by handling out religious papers. No doubt you can name some other ways in which a person can tell others about Jesus. Are you doing any of these things to help others find the Lord? Shame on those who have to admit with the lepers; "We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace"!Doubtful
The report of the lepers was taken to the king. He arose in the night and talked with his servants. He thought this was a trick of the enemy, that they had planned an ambush. Sometimes a plan like that was made. But did the king forget Elisha's words? Apparently he did not have the faith to believe there would be an abundance of food. One of the servants suggested that soldiers be sent to the camp of the enemy to see what would happen. So the king sent some men, saying, "Go and see." Sometimes when people hear about the Gospel, the report sounds too good to be true. They seem a little doubtful, even though God has given the promises in the Bible. When they prove God for themselves, they find an abundance of good things, including victory over the enemy of their soul.A True Report
The king's messengers returned and reported that they had found the way "full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste." Then the people went to the Syrian camp. There they found food, clothing, and money as it was reported. Now there was an abundance of food in Samaria. It was sold at a very low price, "according to the word of the LORD."Faith and Doubt
The king's helper was put in charge of the gate. As the people hurried through the gate he was trodden upon and he died. This man, who did not believe the promise of God, suffered death. The others enjoyed the blessings of the Lord, for He cares for His people. God does not always provide for His people in this manner. Sometimes he sends them to another place, as Elijah was sent to the brook in the time of drought. () The Shunammite's son was raised from the dead by the prayer of Elisha. () Later, during a seven-year famine, she was sent into the land of the Philistines. God not only provided for her in that way but God also had restored to her the property she had left. More than that, there was restored to her "all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land."True Promises
God does provide for His people. David, the Psalmist, said, "O taste and see that the LORD is good: . . . they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing" [PS:34:8-10]). As God's promise of blessing is sure, so is His promise of judgment. Did you ever stop to wonder what happened to Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, who was an enemy of God and His people? He was slain by a man who wanted his kingdom. He was betrayed by a friend whom he trusted. In the Book of Proverbs we read, "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD" [PRO:29:25-26]). Every person has a choice -" either he may trust God or he may trust men. In whom have you put your trust?