Aram now attacked Samaria. There was a terrible siege and great famine in the land. A donkey's head was sold for 80 shekels of silver and "the fourth part of a kab of dove's dung" for five shekels. Now you, as I was, are no doubt wondering why on earth dove's dung had any value whatsoever, siege or no siege. Well when famines get really bad people will literally eat anything.
The king was apparently unaware of just how bad things were, but the reality of the situation was brought to his attention when two women brought a case to him about eating their children. Things really were that bad.
The king acted totally irrationally, thinking that beheading Elisha would help the situation, instead of realising that a little repentance on his part would far more effective. Today the world thinks it can avoid the consequences of its sin by shutting up those who preach the truth of the Bible, it is equally mistaken.
Elisha prophesied that the famine would soon be lifted, but that the messenger himself would not eat of any of the food.
The good news was brought by four lepers. They were as desperate as anyone else and decided to go out to the Arameans. However, God had put fear into the Arameans' hearts by means of a false report of help coming from the Hittites and Egyptians. So the lepers found lots of food left behind. They then acted honourably by going back to the city to tell the people.
Elisha's words were fulfilled.
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