2 Kings 6:24-33 - Besieged Samaria Resorts To Cannibalism
24 After that King Benhadad of Syria led his entire army against Israel in siege of the city of Samaria. 25 The siege caused a great food shortage in the city. It was so severe that a donkey's head cost eighty pieces of silver, and half a pound of dove's dung cost five pieces of silver. 26 The king of Israel walked by on the city wall when a woman cried out: Help me, Your Majesty! 27 The king replied: If Jehovah will not help you, what help can I provide? Where can I get you help from the threshing floor or the wine press? 28 The king asked: What is your trouble? She answered: The other day a woman suggested that we eat my child. Then we could eat her child the next day. 29 So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I told her that we would eat her son, but she had hidden him! 30 Hearing this, the king tore his clothes. The people close to the wall could see that he was wearing sackcloth under his clothes. 31 He exclaimed: May God strike me dead if Elisha is not beheaded before the day is over! 32 He sent a messenger to get Elisha. Meanwhile Elisha was at home with some elders who were visiting him. Before the messenger arrived, Elisha said to the elders: That murderer is sending someone to kill me! When he gets here, shut the door. Do not let him come in. The king will follow him. 33 While Elisha was still talking the king arrived and said: Jehovah brought this trouble on us! Why should I wait any longer for him to do something?