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2Ki_7:1 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time [shall] a measure of fine flour [be sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.
Ver. 1. Tomorrow about this time.] Man’s perverseness stoppeth not the current of God’s infinite goodness. "What should I wait for the Lord any longer?" said wicked Joram. "Tomorrow shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel," &c., saith the Lord, as if he would condescend, where he might judge; and would please them who deserved nothing but punishment.
Shall a measure of fine flour.] Not meal, but flour, and fine flour too, a peck and a pottle of it sold for a shekel; that is, for half-a-crown at most - some say, for half the money; where an ass’s head and a cab of dove’s-dung had been at such unreasonable rates. This was a wonderful change on such a sudden. What cannot the Lord do! In the last year, save one, of Queen Mary, wheat was sold here in England for four marks the quarter; malt for two pounds four shillings the quarter; peas at two pounds six shillings eight pence. Whereas after the next harvest, wheat was sold for five shillings the quarter; malt at four shillings eight pence; and in some places a bushel of rye was exchanged for a pound of candies, which came to fourpence. {a} In the year 1555, when, by reason of unseasonable weather, there was a great dearth in this land, there sprang up upon the rocks without tillage or sowing, in the county of Essex, betwixt Orford and Adleborough, such a crop of peas, that in August there were gathered above a hundred quarters; and in blossoming there remained as many more, where never grass grew, nor earth was ever seen, but hard solid rock for three yards deep under their roots. {b}
{a} Mr Clark’s Martyrol.
{b} Speed in Suffolk.