Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Ved inngangen til porten satt det fire menn som led av en alvorlig hudsykdom kalt spedalskhet. De sa til hverandre: «Hvorfor skal vi sitte her til vi dør? La oss heller gå inn i byen. Er det hungersnød i byen, så kommer vi til å dø der. Men hvis vi blir sittende her, så kommer vi også til å dø. La oss derfor overgi oss til syrerne. Hvis de lar oss leve, skal vi leve. Og hvis de dreper oss, skal vi dø.»
What Does This Mean?
This verse describes four leprous men sitting by the gate, discussing their dire situation. They question why they should wait to die when they could try to find a solution.
Explained for Children
Imagine four friends who are very sick and can't get better. They're sitting outside a big gate and think, 'Why are we just sitting here? Let's try to do something before it's too late.'
Historical Background
2 Kings was written by several authors, likely including prophets, around the 6th century BCE. The book details the history of Israel and Judah, focusing on their kings and conflicts. This verse is set during a time of siege when the city's inhabitants faced starvation and despair.
Living It Out Today
In a modern scenario, imagine a group of unemployed workers who, instead of waiting for their situation to improve, decide to take action by creating a cooperative business to support themselves and their families.