Samaria Besieged and Saved by God

King Ben-Hadad of Aram led his army and laid siege to Samaria, the capital of Israel. A terrible famine broke out: even a donkey's head sold for an outrageous price, and the people could hardly stay alive. The king of Israel was in despair and thought this disaster came from the LORD. But the prophet Elisha announced God's word to the king: "Tomorrow about this time, at the gate of Samaria, a measure of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel." The captain on whose hand the king leaned scoffed, "Even if the LORD made windows in heaven, could this thing be?" Elisha answered, "You shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of it." That very night four lepers at the entrance of the city gate decided to surrender to the Aramean camp — yet God made the Arameans hear the sound of chariots and a great army; thinking the king of Israel had hired the Hittites and Egyptians to attack them, they fled in the night, leaving behind all their food and goods. The lepers brought back the joyful news; the people poured out of the city and took the supplies of the camp, and Elisha's word was fulfilled. Yet the captain who had mocked God's word was trampled to death by the rejoicing people at the gate — he saw it with his own eyes but did not eat. All of this shows us that every word of God is fulfilled. In our darkest hour He turns things around by His grace and gives us hope beyond all expectation.