Prophecy is Fulfilled

II Kings 7:12–20
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The king suspected a trap (v. 12). He calculated that since the Arameans had not been able to break into Samaria they had planned this apparent retreat to draw the Samaritans out, leaving the city open to invasion. One of Joram’s officers suggested sending only five horsemen to scout out the Aramean camp (v. 13). If these soldiers were caught their deaths would only be hastened, because he thought death was inescapable for all the people in Samaria. Joram liked this plan. So he ordered two chariots with their horses, to follow the supposedly fleeing Aramean army (v. 14).

The chariot drivers followed a trail of discarded clothing and equipment all the way to the Jordan River, about 25 miles from Samaria (v. 15). They discovered Israel’s enemy had crossed the Jordan and was gone. The drivers returned to Samaria and announced the good news to the king. This was a  fulfillment of Elisha’s predictions. The king apparently threw the gates open before the excited multitudes who streamed out to find food and booty (v. 16). Those who found the food first were able to sell it to their neighbors for the same prices the Lord had predicted through Elisha (v. 1).

So heavy was the traffic through the gate that the officer who assisted the king was trampled to death (vv. 17-20). This man had ridiculed God’s ability to do what He said He would do (v. 2). The fate that Elisha had predicted overtook him. God, not Baal, provides food; in fact God even foretold exactly when He would provide it. The remarkable way in which God kept the Samaritans safe and sustained them should have turned them and the king back to Him.

Application

God’s future discipline of the Israelites can be understood better in the light of their rejection of His many gracious and miraculous provisions for them.