The Siege of Samaria and the Miraculous Provision
The city of Samaria was in deep trouble. It was completely surrounded by enemy forces who had laid siege to it, cutting off all food and supplies. The people inside the city were starving, and the famine had become so severe that they were eating anything they could find—some even resorted to shocking and desperate measures to survive.
In the midst of this crisis, the prophet Elisha spoke a bold message from God. He declared, “By this time tomorrow, food will be so abundant that it will be sold at normal prices in the marketplace!” This seemed impossible given the dire situation.
One of the king’s officers, skeptical of Elisha’s prophecy, scoffed and said, “Even if God opened the floodgates of heaven, how could this possibly happen?” He simply could not believe that such a miraculous turnaround was possible.
But that very night, something incredible took place. God caused the enemy army to hear what sounded like the approach of a mighty military force—chariots, horses, and a great army marching toward them. In a panic, they assumed they were about to be attacked by a massive allied force, so they abandoned their camp and fled for their lives, leaving behind everything—food, gold, silver, clothing, and supplies.
At dawn, a group of lepers, who had been living outside the city gates, discovered the empty camp. Realizing what had happened, they ran to tell the people in Samaria. When the city gates were opened, the starving people rushed out and found more food and goods than they could carry. Just as Elisha had prophesied, there was suddenly an overwhelming abundance of food, and it was sold at normal prices—just like before the siege.
Bible Verse:
“This is what the Lord says: By this time tomorrow, a measure of flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.” — 2 Kings 7:1