2 Kings Chapter 4

Commentary

Elisha Multiplies the Widow's Oil

1Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. 2And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. 3Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. 4And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. 5So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. 6And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. 7Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

The Shunammite Woman

(Matthew 10:40-42)

8And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 9And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 10Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

11And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. 12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. 13And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. 14And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. 15And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. 16And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.

17And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son

18And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. 20And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. 21And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. 22And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. 23And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. 24Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. 25So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: 26Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. 27And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. 28Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?

29Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. 30And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her. 31And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.

32And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. 33He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. 34And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. 35Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. 37Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

Elisha Purifies the Poisonous Stew

38And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets. 39And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not. 40So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. 41But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.

Feeding a Hundred Men

42And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. 43And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. 44So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Widow’s Oil

1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead. You know that your servant feared Yahweh. Now the creditor has come to take for himself my two children to be slaves.” 2 Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me: what do you have in the house?” She said, “Your handmaid has nothing in the house, except a pot of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go, borrow containers from of all your neighbors, even empty containers. Don’t borrow just a few. 4 You shall go in, and shut the door on you and on your sons, and pour out into all those containers; and you shall set aside that which is full.” 5 So she went from him, and shut the door on her and on her sons; they brought the containers to her, and she poured out. 6 It happened, when the containers were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another container.” He said to her, “There isn’t another container.” The oil stopped flowing. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. He said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”

The Shunammite Woman
(Matthew 10:40–42)

8 It fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman; and she persuaded him to eat bread. So it was, that as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat bread. 9 She said to her husband, “See now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God, that passes by us continually. 10 Please let us make a little room on the wall. Let us set for him there a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp stand. It shall be, when he comes to us, that he shall turn in there.”

11 One day he came there, and he turned into the room and lay there. 12 He said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 13 He said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Behold, you have cared for us with all this care. What is to be done for you? Would you like to be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.” 14 He said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Most certainly she has no son, and her husband is old.” 15 He said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the door. 16 He said, “At this season, when the time comes around, you will embrace a son.” She said, “No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid.”

17 The woman conceived, and bore a son at that season, when the time came around, as Elisha had said to her.

Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son
(Acts 20:7–12)

18 When the child was grown, it happened one day that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19 He said to his father, “My head! My head!” He said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 When he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees until noon, and then died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door on him, and went out. 22 She called to her husband, and said, “Please send me one of the servants, and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.” 23 He said, “Why would you want go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “It’s alright.” 24 Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, “Drive, and go forward! Don’t slow down for me, unless I ask you to.” 25 So she went, and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. It happened, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, “Behold, there is the Shunammite. 26 Please run now to meet her, and ask her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’” She answered, “It is well.” 27 When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, “Leave her alone; for her soul is troubled within her; and Yahweh has hidden it from me, and has not told me.” 28 Then she said, “Did I desire a son of my lord? Didn’t I say, Do not deceive me?”

29 Then he said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand, and go your way. If you meet any man, don’t greet him; and if anyone greets you, don’t answer him again. Then lay my staff on the face of the child.” 30 The mother of the child said, “As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” He arose, and followed her. 31 Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Therefore he returned to meet him, and told him, saying, “The child has not awakened.”

32 When Elisha had come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid on his bed. 33 He went in therefore, and shut the door on them both, and prayed to Yahweh. 34 He went up, and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. He stretched himself on him; and the flesh of the child grew warm. 35 Then he returned, and walked in the house once back and forth; and went up, and stretched himself on him. Then the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 He called Gehazi, and said, “Call this Shunammite!” So he called her. When she had come in to him, he said, “Take up your son.” 37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground; and she took up her son, and went out.

Elisha Purifies the Poisonous Stew

38 Elisha came again to Gilgal. There was a famine in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, “Set on the great pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.” 39 One went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered of it wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of stew; for they didn’t recognize them. 40 So they poured out for the men to eat. It happened, as they were eating of the stew, that they cried out, and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” They could not eat of it. 41 But he said, “Then bring meal.” He cast it into the pot; and he said, “Pour out for the people, that they may eat.” There was no harm in the pot.

Feeding a Hundred Men
(Matthew 15:29–39; Mark 8:1–10)

42 A man from Baal Shalishah came, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain in his sack. He said, “Give to the people, that they may eat.” 43 His servant said, “What, should I set this before a hundred men?” But he said, “Give the people, that they may eat; for thus says Yahweh, ‘They will eat, and will have some left over.’” 44 So he set it before them, and they ate, and left some of it, according to the word of Yahweh.

The Widow’s Oil

1 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!”

2 “How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”

She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”

3 “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow jars, even empty ones, from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. 4 Then go inside, shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these jars, setting the full ones aside.”

5 So she left him, and after she had shut the door behind her and her sons, they kept bringing jars to her, and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another.”

But he replied, “There are no more jars.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt. Then you and your sons can live on the remainder.”

The Shunammite Woman
(Matthew 10:40–42)

8 One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.

9 Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.”

11 One day Elisha came to visit and went to his upper room to lie down. 12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call the Shunammite woman.”

And when he had called her, she stood before him, 13 and Elisha said to Gehazi, “Now tell her, ‘Look, you have gone to all this trouble for us. What can we do for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’ ”

“I have a home among my own people,” she replied.

14 So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?”

“Well, she has no son,” Gehazi replied, “and her husband is old.”

15 “Call her,” said Elisha.

So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.”

“No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.”

17 But the woman did conceive, and at that time the next year she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son
(Acts 20:7–12)

18 And the child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the harvesters.

19 “My head! My head!” he complained to his father.

So his father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.”

20 After the servant had picked him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God. Then she shut the door and went out.

22 And the woman called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may go quickly to the man of God and return.”

23 “Why would you go to him today?” he replied. “It is not a New Moon or a Sabbath.”

“Everything is all right,” she said.

24 Then she saddled the donkey and told her servant, “Drive onward; do not slow the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she set out and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel.

When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, there is the Shunammite woman. 26 Please run out now to meet her and ask, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’ ”

And she answered, “Everything is all right.”

27 When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

28 Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me?’ ”

29 So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, a take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.”

30 And the mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.

31 Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”

32 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. 33 So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD.

34 Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. 35 Elisha turned away and paced back and forth across the room. Then he got on the bed and stretched himself out over the boy again, and the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.

36 Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite woman.” So he called her and she came.

Then Elisha said, “Pick up your son.”

37 She came in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.

Elisha Purifies the Poisonous Stew

38 When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.”

39 One of them went out to the field to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were.

40 And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it.

41 Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

Feeding a Hundred Men
(Matthew 15:29–39; Mark 8:1–10)

42 Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain.

“Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha.

43 But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?”

“Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’ ”

44 So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.

 

Footnotes:

29 a Literally Gird up your loins

Elisha Multiplies the Widow's Oil

1And a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets hath cried unto Elisha, saying, 'Thy servant, my husband, is dead, and thou hast known that thy servant was fearing Jehovah, and the lender hath come to take my two children to him for servants.' 2And Elisha saith unto her, 'What do I do for thee? declare to me, what hast thou in the house?' and she saith, 'Thy maid-servant hath nothing in the house except a pot of oil.' 3And he saith, 'Go, ask for thee vessels from without, from all thy neighbours -- empty vessels -- let them not be few; 4and thou hast entered, and shut the door upon thee, and upon thy sons, and hast poured out into all these vessels, and the full ones thou dost remove.' 5And she goeth from him, and shutteth the door upon her, and upon her sons; they are bringing nigh unto her, and she is pouring out, 6and it cometh to pass, at the filling of the vessels, that she saith unto her son, 'Bring nigh unto me a vessel more,' and he saith unto her, 'There is not a vessel more;' and the oil stayeth. 7And she cometh and declareth to the man of God, and he saith, 'Go, sell the oil, and repay thy loan; and thou and thy sons do live of the rest.'

The Shunammite Woman

(Matthew 10:40-42)

8And the day cometh that Elisha passeth over unto Shunem, and there is a great woman, and she layeth hold on him to eat bread, and it cometh to pass, at the time of his passing over, he turneth aside thither to eat bread, 9and she saith unto her husband, 'Lo, I pray thee, I have known that a holy man of God he is, passing over by us continually; 10let us make, I pray thee, a little upper chamber of the wall, and we set for him there a bed, and a table, and a high seat, and a candlestick; and it hath been, in his coming in unto us, he doth turn aside thither.'

11And the day cometh, that he cometh in thither, and turneth aside unto the upper chamber, and lieth there, 12and he saith unto Gehazi his young man, 'Call for this Shunammite;' and he calleth for her, and she standeth before him. 13And he saith to him, 'Say, I pray thee, unto her, Lo, thou hast troubled thyself concerning us with all this trouble; what -- to do for thee? is it to speak for thee unto the king, or unto the head of the host?' and she saith, 'In the midst of my people I am dwelling.' 14And he saith, 'And what -- to do for her?' and Gehazi saith, 'Verily she hath no son, and her husband is aged.' 15And he saith, 'Call for her;' and he calleth for her, and she standeth at the opening, 16and he saith, 'At this season, according to the time of life, thou art embracing a son;' and she saith, 'Nay, my lord, O man of God, do not lie unto thy maid-servant.'

17And the woman conceiveth and beareth a son, at this season, according to the time of life, that Elisha spake of unto her.

Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son

18And the lad groweth, and the day cometh that he goeth out unto his father, unto the reapers, 19and he saith unto his father, 'My head, my head;' and he saith unto the young man, 'Bear him unto his mother;' 20and he beareth him, and bringeth him in unto his mother, and he sitteth on her knees till the noon, and dieth. 21And she goeth up, and layeth him on the bed of the man of God, and shutteth the door upon him, and goeth out, 22and calleth unto her husband, and saith, 'Send, I pray thee, to me, one of the young men, and one of the asses, and I run unto the man of God, and return.' 23And he saith, 'Wherefore art thou going unto him to-day? -- neither new moon nor sabbath!' and she saith, 'Peace to thee!' 24And she saddleth the ass, and saith unto her young man, 'Lead, and go, do not restrain riding for me, except I have said so to thee.' 25And she goeth, and cometh in unto the man of God, unto the hill of Carmel, and it cometh to pass, at the man of God's seeing her from over-against, that he saith unto Gehazi his young man, 'Lo, this Shunammite; 26now, run, I pray thee, to meet her, and say to her, Is there peace to thee? is there peace to thy husband? is there peace to the lad?' and she saith, 'Peace.' 27And she cometh in unto the man of God, unto the hill, and layeth hold on his feet, and Gehazi cometh nigh to thrust her away, and the man of God saith, 'Let her alone, for her soul is bitter to her, and Jehovah hath hidden it from me, and hath not declared it to me.' 28And she saith, 'Did I ask a son from my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?'

29And he saith to Gehazi, 'Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thy hand, and go; when thou dost meet a man, thou dost not salute him; and when a man doth salute thee, thou dost not answer him; and thou hast laid my staff on the face of the youth.' 30And the mother of the youth saith, 'Jehovah liveth, and thy soul liveth -- if I leave thee;' and he riseth and goeth after her. 31And Gehazi hath passed on before them, and layeth the staff on the face of the youth, and there is no voice, and there is no attention, and he turneth back to meet him, and declareth to him, saying, 'The youth hath not awaked.'

32And Elisha cometh in to the house, and lo, the youth is dead, laid on his bed, 33and he goeth in and shutteth the door upon them both, and prayeth unto Jehovah. 34And he goeth up, and lieth down on the lad, and putteth his mouth on his mouth, and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands, and stretcheth himself upon him, and the flesh of the lad becometh warm; 35and he turneth back and walketh in the house, once hither and once thither, and goeth up and stretcheth himself upon him, and the youth sneezeth till seven times, and the youth openeth his eyes. 36And he calleth unto Gehazi, and saith, 'Call unto this Shunammite;' and he calleth her, and she cometh in unto him, and he saith, 'Lift up thy son.' 37And she goeth in, and falleth at his feet, and boweth herself to the earth, and lifteth up her son, and goeth out.

Elisha Purifies the Poisonous Stew

38And Elisha hath turned back to Gilgal, and the famine is in the land, and the sons of the prophets are sitting before him, and he saith to his young man, 'Set on the great pot, and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets.' 39And one goeth out unto the field to gather herbs, and findeth a vine of the field, and gathereth of it gourds of the field -- the fulness of his garment -- and cometh in and splitteth them into the pot of pottage, for they knew them not; 40and they pour out for the men to eat, and it cometh to pass at their eating of the pottage, that they have cried out, and say, 'Death is in the pot, O man of God!' and they have not been able to eat. 41And he saith, 'Then bring ye meal;' and he casteth into the pot, and saith, 'Pour out for the people, and they eat;' and there was no evil thing in the pot.

Feeding a Hundred Men

42And a man hath come from Baal-Shalishah, and bringeth in to the man of God bread of first-fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in its husk, and he saith, 'Give to the people, and they eat.' 43And his minister saith, 'What -- do I give this before a hundred men?' and he saith, 'Give to the people, and they eat, for thus said Jehovah, Eat and leave;' 44and he giveth before them, and they eat and leave, according to the word of Jehovah.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of 2 Kings 4?
2Introduction to 2 Kings 4
3Context of 2 Kings 4
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
62 Kings 4 Unique Insights
72 Kings 4 Connections to Yeshua
82 Kings 4 Scriptural Echoes
92 Kings 4 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of 2 Kings 4?

Introduction to 2 Kings 4

2 Kings 4 stands as one of the most miracle-rich chapters in Scripture, showcasing the extraordinary ministry of the prophet Elisha. This remarkable narrative contains not one, but four distinct miracles: the multiplication of oil for a widow, the promise and resurrection of the Shunammite’s son, the purification of poisoned stew, and the multiplication of bread. Each miracle demonstrates יהוה’s provision, power over death, and care for His people through His prophet.

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The chapter serves as a powerful testament to God’s intimate involvement in human affairs, from meeting basic needs to reversing death itself. These accounts prefigure many of the Messiah’s own miracles and reveal the compassionate heart of God working through His chosen servants.

Context of 2 Kings 4

This chapter falls within the broader context of Elisha’s ministry in the northern kingdom of Israel, following his reception of a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit in 2 Kings 2:9. The timing is significant – it occurs during a period of spiritual decline in Israel under the reign of Jehoram, yet demonstrates that God’s power remains active even in times of national apostasy.

The placement of these miracles is strategic within the book of Kings. They appear immediately after Elisha’s involvement in a military campaign (2 Kings 3), showing the prophet’s diverse role in both national affairs and personal ministry. These accounts also parallel similar miracles performed by Elijah, establishing Elisha as his legitimate successor and showing the continuation of God’s prophetic work in Israel.

The chapter’s position within the larger biblical narrative is equally significant. These miracles echo God’s provision of oil and bread in the wilderness and foreshadow the Messiah’s future ministry. They demonstrate that יהוה remains faithful to His covenant people even in times of widespread disobedience, preparing the way for the ultimate display of His power through Yeshua.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • אָסוּךְ (asuk) – “jar” or “flask” (2 Kings 4:2): This term specifically refers to a small vessel for precious liquids, emphasizing the widow’s poverty – she had nothing but this tiny container of oil. The word choice highlights the magnitude of the miracle that follows.
  • שׁוּנֵם (Shunem) – A city in Issachar (2 Kings 4:8): This location had strategic significance, lying on the main road between Jezreel and Carmel. The word carries connotations of “double rest” or “quiet,” fitting for the peaceful hospitality offered to Elisha.
  • גְּדוֹלָה (gedolah) – “great” woman (2 Kings 4:8): This Hebrew term implies not just wealth but moral and spiritual nobility. It describes a woman of influence and character, whose actions demonstrate true biblical hospitality.
  • חָבַק (chabaq) – “embrace” (2 Kings 4:16): Used in the prophecy of the son’s birth, this word suggests intimate, maternal love. It appears in other significant biblical passages about embracing children, including Genesis 29:13 and Genesis 48:10.
  • מָוֶת (mavet) – “death” (2 Kings 4:40): The word appears in the context of the poisoned stew, but its use here connects to the chapter’s larger themes about God’s power over death itself.
  • בִּכּוּרִים (bikkurim) – “firstfruits” (2 Kings 4:42): This term carries deep theological significance, referring to the first and best portion offered to God. Its appearance here connects the multiplication miracle to Israel’s worship system.
  • שָׁלוֹם (shalom) – “peace” (2 Kings 4:23): Used multiple times in the chapter, this word encompasses more than just peace – it suggests completeness, welfare, and divine favor.
  • חַי־יְהוָה (chai-YHWH) – “as יהוה lives” (2 Kings 4:30): This oath formula expresses both desperate faith and absolute conviction in God’s living power.

Compare & Contrast

  • The widow’s cry in 2 Kings 4:1 uses the verb צָעַק (tsa’aq) rather than the more common קָרָא (qara). This specific word choice emphasizes desperate plea rather than simple calling, echoing Israel’s cries in Egyptian bondage and suggesting divine deliverance.
  • In 2 Kings 4:16, the phrase “about this time next year” mirrors the angelic announcement to Sarah in Genesis 18:14, deliberately connecting these miraculous birth narratives.
  • The Shunammite’s response “Do not lie” (2 Kings 4:16) uses כָּזַב (kazab) rather than שֶׁקֶר (sheqer), suggesting disbelief born of pain rather than accusation of intentional deception.
  • Gehazi’s staff (מִשְׁעֶנֶת, mishenet) in 2 Kings 4:29 is specifically chosen over מַטֶּה (matteh), emphasizing support rather than authority, unlike Moses’ staff.
  • The phrase “there is death in the pot” (2 Kings 4:40) uses סִיר (sir) for pot rather than קְדֵרָה (qederah), emphasizing its large size and communal nature.
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2 Kings 4 Unique Insights

The chapter presents a fascinating parallel between Elisha’s miracles and ancient Near Eastern prophet-king relationships. While other ancient texts speak of kings performing miracles, here we see God’s power flowing through a humble prophet, challenging the cultural norm and establishing divine authority over human kingship.

The Shunammite woman’s story contains a subtle critique of the prosperity theology of surrounding cultures. Unlike Mesopotamian fertility cults that promised children in exchange for devotion to deities, this narrative emphasizes unexpected divine grace. The woman’s initial rejection of reward (2 Kings 4:13) shows true biblical contentment, yet God gives above what is asked or imagined.

Rabbinical tradition suggests that the widow in verse 1 was the wife of Obadiah, who had borrowed money to feed the prophets in hiding (1 Kings 18:4). While this cannot be confirmed, it adds a layer of meaning to God’s provision – those who care for His servants will themselves be cared for.

The multiplication miracles in this chapter form a progressive revelation of divine provision. They move from private (widow’s oil) to semi-public (poisoned stew) to fully public (feeding many with little), preparing the way for understanding the Messiah’s greater multiplication miracles.

2 Kings 4 Connections to Yeshua

The parallels between Elisha’s miracles and those of Yeshua are striking and intentional. The multiplication of oil and bread prefigures the Messiah’s feeding of the multitudes (Matthew 14:13-21), while the raising of the Shunammite’s son anticipates Yeshua’s power over death, particularly in the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:21-43).

Moreover, the chapter demonstrates the prophetic office of the Messiah. Just as Elisha showed God’s power and compassion through miracles, Yeshua’s miracles would authenticate His ministry and reveal the Father’s heart. The progression from Elijah to Elisha (double portion) points to the ultimate Prophet, Yeshua, who would possess the Spirit without measure (John 3:34).

2 Kings 4 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages:

  • The multiplication of oil echoes Elijah’s miracle for the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16)
  • The promise of a son parallels the stories of Sarah (Genesis 18:1-15) and Hannah (1 Samuel 1)
  • The resurrection narrative foreshadows Yeshua’s raising of Lazarus (John 11)
  • The multiplication of bread connects to manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16) and Yeshua’s feeding miracles

2 Kings 4 Devotional

This chapter calls us to examine our own faith and response to God’s power. The Shunammite woman’s hospitality reminds us that serving God’s people often precedes experiencing His miraculous power. Her initial contentment, followed by God’s overwhelming blessing, challenges our understanding of divine provision.

The resurrection narrative teaches us about persistent faith in crisis. The woman’s refusal to be deterred, even by Gehazi with Elisha’s staff, reminds us to press in for God’s best. Sometimes His power flows through indirect means (like the oil multiplication), and sometimes it requires direct intervention (like the resurrection).

These miracles invite us to trust God with both our daily needs (oil, bread) and our deepest sorrows (death). They remind us that no situation is too small for His attention or too hopeless for His power.

Did You Know

  • The vessels used in the oil miracle were likely clay pots, making this a powerful object lesson about God filling empty, common vessels with His provision.
  • The “upper room” built for Elisha followed a common architectural pattern in ancient Israelite homes, where such rooms served as guest quarters for travelers.
  • The Shunammite woman’s journey to find Elisha was approximately 25 miles, making her faith and determination even more remarkable.
  • The “wild gourds” that poisoned the stew were likely from the colocynth plant, still found in Israel today and known for its toxic properties.
  • The term used for “death in the pot” became a Hebrew idiom for hidden danger.
  • The twenty loaves of barley bread were specifically firstfruits offerings, showing God’s ability to multiply what is first dedicated to Him.
  • The phrase “man of God” appears more times in this chapter than any other chapter in the Bible, emphasizing the prophet’s role as God’s representative.
  • Archaeological evidence from this period shows that oil was a valuable commodity often used as currency, making the multiplication miracle particularly significant for the widow’s economic survival.
  • The staff-laying ceremony attempted by Gehazi parallels ancient Near Eastern healing rituals, but the failure of this method emphasizes that true power lies in God, not in objects or formulas.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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