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2Ki_6:25 And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass’s head was [sold] for fourscore [pieces] of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five [pieces] of silver.
Ver. 25. And there was a great famine in Samaria.] Like as there was afterwards at Potidea in the Peloponesian war; at Utica, besieged by Hamilcar, the father of Hannibal; at Saguntum, also; yea, at Rome, when this voice was heard in the market, Pone precium humanae carni. {a} The miserable straits the Jews were put to at the last siege of Jerusalem by Titus, who hath not read of? That I speak not of Scodra, Munster, Sancerre, Haarlem, besieged by the Duke de Alva, &c. This of Samaria was just upon them, saith Pellican, for their contempt of the heavenly manna, that precious food of the soul.
An ass’s head sold for fourscore pieces of silver,] i.e., For four or five pounds: some say, ten. When Hannibal besieged Casiline, one mouse was sold for two hundred pence. {b} Puddings made of dogs’ guts were dear bought at the siege of Scodra. {c}
The fourth part of a cab.] A pint of doves’ dung. See 2Ki_18:27. The hunger-bit wolf eateth dirt.
{a} Thucyd. Polyb. Sub Honor. Imp.
{b} Val. Max., lib. vii. cap. 6.
{c} Turk. Hist.