John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. If we say we will enter into the city , etc.] Contrary to the law which forbid them: then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there ; not being able to obtain food to preserve life: and if we sit here, we die also ; having nothing to eat to support nature: now therefore let us come, and fall unto the host of the Syrians ; put ourselves into their hands, and lie at their mercy: if they save us alive, we shall live ; if they do not put us to death, but give us bread to eat, our lives will be preserved: and if they kill us, we shall but die ; which we must inevitably do, whether we stay here, or go into the city.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 3-11 - God can, when he pleases, make the stoutest heart to tremble; and a for those who will not fear God, he can make them fear at the shakin of a leaf. Providence ordered it, that the lepers came as soon as the Syrians were fled. Their consciences told them that mischief woul befall them, if they took care of themselves only. Natural humanity and fear of punishment, are powerful checks on the selfishness of the ungodly. These feelings tend to preserve order and kindness in the world; but they who have found the unsearchable riches of Christ, wil not long delay to report the good tidings to others. From love to him not from selfish feelings, they will gladly share their earthly goo things with their brethren.
Original Hebrew אם518 אמרנו559 נבוא935 העיר5892 והרעב7458 בעיר5892 ומתנו4191 שׁם8033 ואם518 ישׁבנו3427 פה6311 ומתנו4191 ועתה6258 לכו1980 ונפלה5307 אל413 מחנה4264 ארם758 אם518 יחינו2421 נחיה2421 ואם518 ימיתנו4191 ומתנו׃4191
