2 Kings 4 Elisha's Miracles and Ministry

1 The Widow’s Oil
The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”

2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a little oil.”

3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few.

4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”

5 She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring.

6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”
But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

8 The Shunammite’s Son Restored to Life
One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.

9 She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God.

10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”

11 One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there.

12 He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite.” So he called her, and she stood before him.

13 Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’”
She replied, “I have a home among my own people.”

14 “What can be done for her?” Elisha asked.
Gehazi said, “Well, she has no son and her husband is old.”

15 Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway.

16 “About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.”
“No, my lord,” she objected. “Don’t mislead your servant, O man of God!”

17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

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

19 “My head! My head!” he said to his father.
His father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.”

20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died.

21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.

22 She called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return.”

23 “Why go to him today?” he asked. “It’s not the New Moon or the Sabbath.”
“It’s all right,” she said.

24 She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Lead on; don’t slow down for me unless I tell you.”

25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.
When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, “Look! There’s the Shunammite!

26 Run to meet her and ask her, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’”
“Everything is all right,” she said.

27 When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me why.”

28 “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?”

29 Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand and run. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy’s face.”

30 But the child’s mother said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.

31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi 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 couch.

33 He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord.

34 Then he got on the bed and lay upon the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out upon him, the boy’s body grew warm.

35 Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out upon him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.

36 Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite.” And he did. When she came, he said, “Take your son.”

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

38 Death in the Pot
Elisha returned to Gilgal and there was a famine in that region. While the company of the prophets was meeting with him, he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these men.”

39 One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine. He gathered some of its gourds and filled the fold of his cloak. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were.

40 The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, “O man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.

41 Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He put it into the pot and said, “Serve it to the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

42 Feeding of a Hundred
A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” Elisha said.

43 “How can I set this before a hundred men?” his servant asked.
But Elisha answered, “Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’”

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

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Analysis of 2 Kings Chapter 4

This chapter of 2 Kings is a remarkable narrative that revolves around the Prophet Elisha and his miraculous deeds. It presents a series of events that underline God’s power and mercy manifested through His prophet. Elisha’s miracles not only confirm the continuation of Elijah’s prophetic ministry but also highlight important theological themes such as divine provision, faith, and the compassion of God. In this analysis, we will delve deeply into the key elements of each passage, providing insightful and detailed interpretations of the chapter’s verses.

The Widow’s Olive Oil (2 Kings 4:1-7)

This story opens with a widow in a state of dire need. Her husband, a member of the sons of the prophets, has died, leaving her with debts. As a result, creditors threaten to take her two sons as slaves to repay what is owed.

“The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, ‘Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.'” (2 Kings 4:1)

The introduction of this widow underscores several aspects. First, it points to the widespread practice of allowing family members to be taken as collateral for debt repayment, an issue addressed in Mosaic Law in Deuteronomy 15:1-2 and Leviticus 25:39-41. The widow’s plea to Elisha not only underscores the severity of her situation but also hints at the communal responsibility within the prophetic community.

“Elisha replied to her, ‘How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?’ ‘Your servant has nothing there at all,’ she said, ‘except a small jar of olive oil.'” (2 Kings 4:2)

Elisha’s response is significant. He begins with a question, allowing the widow to articulate her need, thus demonstrating empathy and readiness to engage. The mention of a small jar of olive oil indicates the woman’s sense of hopelessness. In references throughout the Bible, olive oil often symbolizes the Holy Spirit and God’s anointing (e.g., 1 Samuel 16:13). Here, it becomes a symbol of potential blessing and provision.

“Elisha said, ‘Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.'” (2 Kings 4:3-4)

Elisha’s instructions to collect empty jars from neighbors signify an act of faith both for the widow and the community. Shutting the door behind her illustrates a private miracle, free from public scrutiny, emphasizing personal faith over communal spectacle. The miraculous provision—endless oil as long as there were available jars—illustrates the boundless nature of God’s provision when faith is truly exercised.

“When all the jars were full, she said to her son, ‘Bring me another one.’ But he replied, ‘There is not a jar left.’ Then the oil stopped flowing.” (2 Kings 4:6)

This turning point in the narrative highlights the finite cooperation needed; God’s provision is potentially limitless but aligns with the extent of human effort and preparation. The neighbor’s supply of jars becomes crucial to determine the extent of the miracle, showing how communal support can impact one’s blessings.

“She went and told the man of God, and he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.'” (2 Kings 4:7)

Upon the miracle’s completion, Elisha instructs her to sell the oil to pay off debts, ensuring her family is relieved from financial bondage. This passage not only signifies divine provision but also sustainable survival—a testimony to how faith and divine intervention intertwine to alter distressed situations profoundly.

The Shunammite’s Son Restored to Life (2 Kings 4:8-37)

This passage shifts focus to another woman, a wealthy Shunammite, who provides hospitality to Elisha. Her remarkable act of kindness leads to a profound miracle.

“One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.” (2 Kings 4:8)

The Shunammite woman’s hospitality indicates her righteous character, highlighting the cultural importance of hospitality and care for traveling prophets in ancient Israel. Her material wealth contrasts with the widow’s poverty, presenting varied social spectrums among those who encounter God’s miracles.

“She said to her husband, ‘I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.'” (2 Kings 4:9-10)

Her initiative to provide a dedicated space for Elisha suggests a deeper recognition of her spiritual duty and demonstrates a proactive approach to serving God’s servants. This setting fosters a relationship that sets the stage for the ensuing miracle.

“‘What can be done for her?’ Elisha asked. Gehazi said, ‘She has no son, and her husband is old.’ Then Elisha said, ‘Call her.’ So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. ‘About this time next year,’ Elisha said, ‘you will hold a son in your arms.'” (2 Kings 4:14-16)

Elisha seeks to reward the Shunammite for her generosity. Despite her protest concerning the improbability of the prophecy due to her husband’s old age, Elisha promises a son, invoking a common biblical theme of miraculous births, similar to the stories of Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth, emphasizing God’s control over life and His ability to bring hope in impossible situations.

“The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. He said to his father, ‘My head! My head!’ His father told a servant, ‘Carry him to his mother.’ After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died.” (2 Kings 4:18-20)

The untimely death of the Shunammite’s son captures the devastation of losing what was miraculously given. This moment tests her faith profoundly, as the promise of God seems to collapse under inexplicable tragedy.

“She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.” (2 Kings 4:21)

Her decision to place the boy on Elisha’s bed signifies her strong faith and refusal to accept his death as final, reflecting deep trust in the prophet’s connection to God’s power. It hints at the intersection of faith and divine action.

“When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm.” (2 Kings 4:32-34)

Elisha’s prayer and physical proximity in performing the miracle signify fervent intercession. His actions are reminiscent of Elijah’s similar miracle (1 Kings 17:21), emphasizing the power transmitted through God’s prophets and establishing Elisha firmly within the prophetic tradition. The warmth returning to the boy’s body sustains the hope of resurrection.

“Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.” (2 Kings 4:35)

The seven sneezes (an act of life and vitality) symbolize completion and perfection in Jewish numerology. This full restoration is emblematic of God’s power to bring life from death, reaffirming divine promises, and demonstrating God’s compassion towards human suffering.

The Poisonous Stew (2 Kings 4:38-41)

Another instance highlights Elisha’s divine intervention during a time of famine.

“Elisha returned to Gilgal and there was a famine in that region. While the company of the prophets was meeting with him, he said to his servant, ‘Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these prophets.'” (2 Kings 4:38)

This scene underscores Elisha’s role as a leader among prophetic groups. The famine sets a backdrop for demonstrating God’s providence through Elisha.

“One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine and picked as many of its gourds as his garment could hold. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were.” (2 Kings 4:39)

The gathering of unknown gourds highlights human fallibility. The resultant danger underscores a common Biblical theme where reliance on human wisdom without divine guidance can lead to peril.

“The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, ‘Man of God, there is death in the pot!’ And they could not eat it. Elisha said, ‘Get some flour.’ He put it into the pot and said, ‘Serve it to the people to eat.’ And there was nothing harmful in the pot.” (2 Kings 4:40-41)

The miraculous detoxification of the stew emphasizes God’s control over life-threatening situations. Flour—an ordinary element—used miraculously, represents how God can sanctify the mundane to bring about salvation and protection, resonating with the theme of divine intervention in everyday life.

Feeding a Hundred (2 Kings 4:42-44)

In the final act of this chapter, we witness Elisha mirroring a miracle that has striking similarities to those later performed by Jesus.

“A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. ‘Give it to the people to eat,’ Elisha said.” (2 Kings 4:42)

The offering of first fruits to Elisha, a symbolic gesture of faith and gratitude, emphasizes the acknowledgment of God’s provision and the custom of dedicating the earliest yield to Him.

“‘How can I set this before a hundred men?’ his servant asked. But Elisha answered, ‘Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: they will eat and have some left over.'” (2 Kings 4:43)

This response exhibits Elisha’s confident reliance on divine provision, reminiscent of similar miraculous feeding stories found in the New Testament (e.g., Jesus feeding the 5,000 in John 6:1-14). It foreshadows the concept of abundance amidst apparent insufficiency when aligned with faith in God.

“Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord.” (2 Kings 4:44)

The miracle of multiplication indicates God’s limitless provision and foreshadows the Messianic age’s abundant grace. The overabundance of leftovers further emphasizes God’s generosity and the importance of faith in His word.

Conclusion

2 Kings Chapter 4 reflects a multifaceted portrayal of God’s power and faithfulness through Elisha. The recurring thematic elements underscore the importance of faith, divine provision, communal support, and the power of prophetic intercession. Each miracle, whether addressing poverty, life and death, or sustenance, functions as a testament to the boundless mercy and intervention of God in the lives of His people.

Through the lens of Elisha’s ministry, this chapter provides rich theological insights, reinforcing the notion that God’s acts are not confined to grand biblical epochs but extend into the fabric of daily human struggles and triumphs. By delving deeper into each miracle’s context and nuance, we uncover layers of divine intentionality and presence, urging believers to trust in the God who meets every need and transcends every limitation.

Understanding the Key Messages in 2 Kings 4: Insights and Explanation

Chapter 4 of 2 Kings recounts several miracles performed by the prophet Elisha, including the multiplication of oil, the resurrection of a child, and the purification of a poisonous stew. These miracles demonstrate God's power and Elisha's role as a powerful prophet.

Notes

This chapter highlights Elisha's extraordinary ministry and serves as a testament to God's power and faithfulness.