What does 2 Kings 7:9 mean?
"Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household." - 2 Kings 7:9

2 Kings 7:9 (KJV) - "Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household."
This verse is a part of the story of the four lepers in the city of Samaria during a time of severe famine. The city was besieged by the Aramean army, and its inhabitants were suffering from hunger and devastation. In the midst of this desperate situation, God intervenes and brings about a miraculous deliverance for the people of Samaria.
The passage serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and provision, even in the most dire circumstances. It also highlights the importance of sharing good news and not hoarding it for oneself. The lepers come to the realization that it is not right to keep the bountiful provisions they have found for themselves, but rather they should share the good tidings with others, particularly with the king's household.
The context of this passage is important for understanding its significance. The city of Samaria was under siege, and its inhabitants were suffering from extreme famine. In their desperation, the people turned to cannibalism and were experiencing great distress. It is in this context of hopelessness and despair that this verse brings forth a message of hope and deliverance.
The theme of God's provision and faithfulness is central to this passage. The fact that the lepers stumble upon an abundance of food and riches in the camp of the Arameans is a clear demonstration of God's miraculous intervention. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is capable of providing for His people even in the most challenging of circumstances. This theme resonates throughout the Bible, as countless stories of God's provision and deliverance are recorded.
Another important theme in this passage is the idea of sharing good news and blessings with others. The lepers recognize the selfishness of keeping the good tidings to themselves and understand the urgency of sharing it with the king's household. This speaks to the broader biblical principle of generosity and community, where believers are called to share their blessings with others and not to hoard them for personal gain.
In terms of symbolism, the lepers themselves represent the marginalized and outcast members of society. In biblical times, lepers were considered unclean and were often shunned by society. The fact that it is these outcasts who discover the abundance of provisions speaks to the subversive nature of God's grace, which often works through the most unlikely of sources. This serves as a powerful reminder that God's blessings are not reserved for the elite or privileged, but are available to all, regardless of social status or circumstances.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 7:9 is a powerful and inspiring passage that speaks to the themes of God's provision, faithfulness, and the importance of sharing blessings with others. It serves as a reminder of God's miraculous intervention in the most desperate of circumstances and the transformative power of good news. The verse encourages believers to be generous and to share their blessings with others, no matter their social standing. Ultimately, it is a message of hope and deliverance in the midst of despair.
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2 Kings 7:9 - "Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household."
"Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household." - 2 Kings 7:9
2 Kings 9:7 - "And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel."
2 Kings 7:2
2 kings 9:34-36
2 Kings 7:11 - "And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within."
2 Kings 7:7 - "Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life."
2 Chronicles 9:22 - "And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom."
2 Kings 9:9 - "And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:"
2 Kings 2:7 - "And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan."
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2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
1 Kings 7:9 - "All these were of costly stones, according to the measures of hewed stones, sawed with saws, within and without, even from the foundation unto the coping, and so on the outside toward the great court."
2 Kings 9:4 - "¶ So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead."
2 Kings 9:23 - "And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah."
2 Kings 9:29 - "And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah."
Ezra 9:7 - "Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day."
2 Kings 22:7 - "Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully."
2 Kings 20:7 - "And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered."
2 Kings 5:9 - "So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha."
1 Kings 9:2 - "That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon."
2 Kings 9:31 - "And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?"
2 Kings 9:35 - "And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands."
2 Kings 24:9 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done."
2 Kings 7:14 - "They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see."
2 Kings 6:7 - "Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it."
2 Kings 13:9 - "And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria: and Joash his son reigned in his stead."
2 Chronicles 9:26 - "¶ And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt."
2 Kings 9:37 - "And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel."
2 Kings 6:9 - "And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down."