What witnessing principles can Christians learn from the lepers' response in 2 Kings 7:3–9?
In 2 Kings 7:9, the four lepers discover the abandoned Aramean camp during a time of great famine in Samaria. After taking food, silver, and clothes, they come to a realization and say:
"We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us..." (2 Kings 7:9, ESV)
This moment feels like a strong parallel to Christian responsibility in sharing the gospel. Like the lepers, we too have found “good news” and must decide whether we will keep it to ourselves or share it with others.
What principles about witnessing for Christ can be drawn from their actions and their change of heart?
How does this story challenge us today when we’re tempted to remain silent?
2 Kings 7:1 - 20
ESV - 1 But Elisha said, "Hear the word of the Lord : thus says the Lord, Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria. 2 Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned said to the man of God, "If the Lord himself should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?" But he said, "You shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of it.
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Tim Maas
Supporter
The very word "gospel" means "good news", and we as Christians should be motivated to share it whenever possible, both because of our desire that others hear that good news, and because Christ specifically commands us to in passages such as Matthew 9:37-38, Matthew 28:18-20, and Mark 16:15.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
“We Are Not Doing Right”: A Witnessing Lesson from Four Outcasts (2 Kings 7:1-20) The city of Samaria was starving. People were desperate, and hope was dying by the day. But outside the city wall, four men with leprosy sat at the gate, caught between death inside and danger outside. With nothing left to lose, they took a risk—they headed to the enemy’s camp. To their amazement, they found the camp deserted! God had caused the enemy to flee in panic, leaving behind food, silver, and supplies (2 Kings 7:6-8). At first, the lepers indulged in the blessing. They ate, drank, and hid treasure. But then, conscience caught up with them. One said, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us.” (2 Kings 7:9, ESV) They returned to the city and shared the news. Because they spoke, others were saved. What can we learn? 1. God uses unlikely people. The lepers were outcasts—excluded, unclean, overlooked. But they were the first to witness the miracle and share it. God often chooses the weak and foolish things to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). You don’t have to be influential or impressive to share the truth—you just need to be willing. 2. Good news isn’t meant to be hoarded. The lepers' line is striking: “We are not doing right.” When we stay silent about salvation, we’re withholding hope from the starving. Proverbs 24:11 says, “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.” And Jesus commands us: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) [like Tim said] 3. There’s urgency in the gospel. The lepers didn’t wait until morning—they knew others would perish if they delayed. Paul wrote, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) People are dying without Christ. We can’t assume we’ll get another chance tomorrow. How does this challenge us? We’ve discovered something far greater than a feast—we’ve found Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:35). And like those lepers, we face a choice: stay silent and satisfied, or speak and save. If you’ve tasted His goodness (Psalm 34:8), if your soul has been rescued from famine and fear, then don’t keep the good news to yourself. As Romans 10:14 reminds us: “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” Let’s not wait until morning. The time to speak is now.
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