Question 1

Why were there four leprous men sitting at the gate of the city?

Accepted Answer

The four men had leprosy, a disease that made them unclean and forced them to live outside the city. They stayed near the gate because it was as close as they could get, hoping for scraps of food from people going in and out. During the siege and famine, even those inside were starving, so these men were in an even worse spot. Sitting at the gate showed both their separation from the people and their deep need, with nowhere else to go.

Question 2

What did the lepers mean by saying, "Why sit we here until we die"?

Accepted Answer

The lepers looked honestly at their situation. If they stayed where they were, they would starve. If they went into the city, there was famine there too. So they chose to go to the Syrian camp, thinking, “If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, we would have died anyway.” This shows a kind of desperate faith. They knew death was certain if they did nothing, so they moved forward and left the outcome in God’s hands.

Question 3

How did God make the Syrian army flee from their camp?

Accepted Answer

God caused the Syrians to hear a terrifying sound, like chariots, horses, and a great army coming against them. They assumed the king of Israel had hired foreign kings to attack them, so in panic they ran away in the twilight. They left their tents, animals, and supplies just as they were. God did not need Israel’s army to fight. He used fear and a sound to turn the enemy away and open the way for His people to be fed.

Question 4

Why did the lepers say, "We do not well" after taking silver and food?

Accepted Answer

At first the lepers filled themselves and hid silver, gold, and clothes. Then their conscience troubled them. They realized this was “a day of good tidings,” because God had provided rescue and plenty for the whole city, not just for them. Keeping silent while others starved was wrong. They feared some harm would come if they kept this to themselves. So they decided to go back and tell the king’s household, showing that blessings are meant to be shared, not hoarded.

Question 5

Why was the king of Israel suspicious when he heard the lepers’ report?

Accepted Answer

The king woke in the night and assumed the Syrians were using a trick. He thought they knew Israel was hungry and had gone out to hide in the fields, waiting to catch people who came out to look for food. His fear and unbelief made him expect a trap rather than trust that God might have acted. This shows how deep the despair in the city was, and how hard it can be to believe good news when people have suffered for a long time.

Question 6

What is the point of sending five horses to check the Syrian camp?

Accepted Answer

One of the king’s servants suggested using a few of the remaining horses to investigate. He reasoned that the people and animals left in the city were already as good as dead because of the famine. If the small group died, they would only share the fate of the rest. If they found help, the whole city might be saved. This was a cautious but sensible step, showing that even with doubts, it can be right to test good news rather than stay frozen in fear.

Question 7

What does this passage teach about God’s way of providing help?

Accepted Answer

This story shows that God can provide in ways no one expects. There was no battle, no great plan from the king, and no strength in Israel. God simply caused the enemy to hear a sound and run. He used four weak, outcast lepers as the first ones to see and share His rescue. It teaches that God is not limited by human power, and that help can come suddenly, even when things seem hopeless and people feel forgotten or unimportant.

Question 8

How does the behavior of the lepers challenge how we handle good news today?

Accepted Answer

The lepers moved from thinking only of their own hunger to thinking of the starving city. Once they realized God had given more than they needed, they felt it was wrong to keep quiet. In the same way, when people receive help, hope, or spiritual good news, this passage nudges them not to close their hands around it. Instead, it points toward sharing what God has given, especially with those who are still in need and may not yet know there is a way out.

2 Kings 7:3

¶ And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?

The Syrians Flee

Four Lepers Relate Arameans’ Flight

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2 Kings 7:3

¶ And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?

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The Syrians Flee

Four Lepers Relate Arameans’ Flight

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