Definition: And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 7:18. It's a really important piece of history that tells us about a serious situation in ancient Israel. Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, God is telling the King to prepare food for a large group of people – likely refugees or travelers – who are traveling through Samaria. Let’s unpack it further: “And it came to pass as…” : This phrase introduces a story that's happening now. It’s like saying “This is what is happening.” “…the man of God had spoken to the king…” : This refers to King David, and he was speaking to him. “Man of God” means someone who follows God's laws and principles. “saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel…” : This is the crucial part! He’s asking the King to prepare food with specific amounts of grain. Two measures of barley: This means two standard-sized bushels (a large pile) of barley. Barley was a staple crop for the Israelites and was used in bread and beer. A shekel: A shekel was a unit of Jewish currency, roughly equivalent to 1 Roman sestertius (a silver coin). It represented a significant amount – think about 60 silver coins! A measure of fine flour: This is another standard-sized pile of flour. Flour was used for bread and other baked goods. So, what’s the big picture? David is telling the King that he needs to provide a substantial amount of food – enough to feed a large group – for people traveling through Samaria. This likely happened because of a crisis or disaster – possibly a siege or a plague – that was affecting the region. He needed a way to support those fleeing or displaced people. Important Context: This is from a very significant part of the Old Testament, and it’s considered one of the earliest examples of a king's pronouncements regarding provisions for his people during times of hardship. It shows King David’s concern for the well-being of his kingdom and its citizens. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse was important in biblical history? Discuss the symbolism behind the barley and flour? Or is there anything else you'd like me to clarify about this passage?