Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 4

Introduction

Overview

2 Kings 4:1, Elisha multiplies the widow’s oil; 2 Kings 4:8, He obtains a son for the good Shunammite; 2 Kings 4:18, He restores her son when dead; 2 Kings 4:38, At Gilgal he heals the deadly pottage; 2 Kings 4:42, He satisfies an hundred men with twenty loaves.

Verse 1

am 3110, bc 894

sons: 2 Kings 4:38, 2 Kings 2:3, 2 Kings 2:5, 1 Kings 20:35

thy servant did fear: Genesis 22:12, 1 Kings 18:3, Nehemiah 7:2, Psalms 103:11, Psalms 103:17, Psalms 112:1, Psalms 112:2, Psalms 115:13, Psalms 147:11, Ecclesiastes 8:12, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Malachi 3:16, Malachi 4:2, Acts 13:26, Revelation 15:4, Revelation 19:5

the creditor: Leviticus 25:39, Leviticus 25:40, Leviticus 25:48, Nehemiah 5:2-5, Nehemiah 10:31, Jeremiah 34:14, Matthew 18:25, Matthew 18:30, Matthew 18:35, James 2:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:2 - an Hebrew Exodus 22:25 - General Ruth 1:3 - and she was 2 Kings 2:15 - bowed 2 Kings 6:1 - the sons 2 Kings 9:1 - the children Nehemiah 5:5 - we Job 24:9 - General Psalms 37:21 - borroweth Proverbs 18:23 - poor Proverbs 22:7 - the borrower Proverbs 22:27 - General Isaiah 50:1 - or which Hosea 9:8 - with Zechariah 11:5 - sell Matthew 14:20 - and they took

Verse 2

What shall I: 2 Kings 2:9, 2 Kings 6:26, 2 Kings 6:27, Matthew 15:34, John 6:5-7, Acts 3:6, 2 Corinthians 6:10

save a pot of oil: 1 Kings 17:12, James 2:5

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 17:14 - The barrel of meal Proverbs 18:23 - poor Mark 8:8 - they took John 2:7 - Fill John 6:13 - and filled

Verse 3

empty vessels: 2 Kings 3:16, John 2:7

borrow not a few: Heb. scant not, 2 Kings 13:18, 2 Kings 13:19, Psalms 81:10, John 16:24

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:4 - all the great Luke 5:6 - they enclosed

Verse 4

thou shalt shut: 2 Kings 4:32, 2 Kings 4:33, 1 Kings 17:19, 1 Kings 17:20, Isaiah 26:20, Matthew 6:6, Mark 5:40, Acts 9:40

and shalt pour: Mark 6:37-44, Mark 8:5-9, John 2:7-9, John 6:11, Ephesians 3:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 7:16 - the Mark 7:33 - he took Luke 8:51 - he suffered

Verse 5

she went: 2 Kings 5:11, 1 Kings 17:15, 1 Kings 17:16, Luke 1:45, Hebrews 11:7, Hebrews 11:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 7:16 - the

Verse 6

when the vessels: 2 Kings 4:43, 2 Kings 4:44, Matthew 9:29, Matthew 13:58, Matthew 14:20, Matthew 15:37, Luke 6:19, 2 Chronicles 6:12, 2 Chronicles 6:13

And the oil: 2 Kings 13:19, Joshua 5:12, 1 Kings 17:14, John 6:12

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:26 - as the Lord liveth 2 Kings 13:18 - he smote thrice

Verse 7

pay: Psalms 37:21, Romans 12:17, Philippians 4:8, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 1 Thessalonians 2:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

debt: or, creditor

Reciprocal: Exodus 22:25 - General 2 Kings 6:5 - for it was borrowed 2 Kings 6:7 - Take it up 2 Peter 1:21 - in old time

Verse 8

it fell on: Heb. there was, 2 Kings 4:11, 2 Kings 4:18

Shunem: This city was situated in the tribe of Issachar, five miles south from mount Tabor, according to Eusebius; and is probably the place which he calls Sanim, in Acrabatene, in the neighbourhood of Samaria or Sebaste. 2 Kings 4:12, Joshua 19:18, 1 Samuel 28:4, 1 Kings 1:3

a great woman: 2 Samuel 19:32, Job 1:3, Job 32:9, Luke 1:15

she constrained him: Heb. she laid hold on him, Genesis 19:3, Judges 19:20, Proverbs 7:21, Luke 14:23, Luke 24:29, Acts 16:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:1 - turned 1 Samuel 28:23 - compelled him 2 Kings 5:1 - a great Psalms 107:39 - they are Matthew 10:41 - that receiveth a prophet Matthew 25:17 - he also Hebrews 13:2 - not

Verse 9

she said: Proverbs 31:10, Proverbs 31:11, 1 Peter 3:1

this is: Matthew 5:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:10, Titus 1:8, 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Peter 3:2

man of God: Deuteronomy 33:1, 1 Kings 13:1, 1 Kings 17:18, 1 Kings 17:24, 1 Timothy 6:11

Reciprocal: Joshua 14:6 - the man Judges 13:6 - A man 2 Kings 4:40 - O thou

Verse 10

Let us: Isaiah 32:8, Matthew 10:41, Matthew 10:42, Matthew 25:40, Mark 9:41, Luke 8:3, Romans 12:13, Hebrews 10:24, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9, 1 Peter 4:10

a little chamber: An aleeyah, or oleah, as the Arabs call it; a small back house annexed to the principal dwelling, in which the prophet could live in a great privacy as in his own house, and to which he could retire at pleasure, without breaking in upon the private affairs of the family, or being in his turn interrupted by them in his devotions. See note on Judges 3:20, and see note on 1 Kings 17:19

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 4:21 - the bed Proverbs 31:11 - General

Verse 11

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 4:8 - it fell on

Verse 12

Gehazi: 2 Kings 4:29-31, 2 Kings 5:20-27, 2 Kings 8:4, 2 Kings 8:5

servant: 2 Kings 3:11, 1 Kings 18:43, 1 Kings 19:3, Acts 13:5

Reciprocal: Joshua 19:18 - Shunem 2 Kings 4:8 - Shunem 2 Kings 4:36 - Call this Shunammite 2 Kings 4:43 - his servitor

Verse 13

thou hast: Matthew 10:40-42, Luke 9:3-5, Romans 16:2, Romans 16:6, Philippians 4:18, Philippians 4:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:13, 2 Timothy 1:16-18, Hebrews 6:10

to the king: 2 Kings 3:15-18, 2 Kings 8:3-6, Genesis 14:24, 2 Samuel 19:32-38

to the captain: 2 Kings 9:5, 2 Samuel 19:13, 1 Kings 2:32

I dwell: 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Hebrews 13:5

among mine: 2 Kings 8:1, Ruth 1:1-4, Psalms 37:3

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 19:2 - I will show

Verse 14

she hath no child: Genesis 15:2, Genesis 15:3, Genesis 17:17, Genesis 18:10-14, Genesis 25:21, Genesis 30:1, Judges 13:2, 1 Samuel 1:2, 1 Samuel 1:8, Luke 1:7

Verse 16

About this: Genesis 17:21, Genesis 18:10, Genesis 18:14

season: Heb. set time

thou shalt: Genesis 17:16, Genesis 17:17, Luke 1:13, Luke 1:30, Luke 1:31

my lord: 2 Kings 2:19

do not lie: 2 Kings 4:28, 2 Kings 5:10, 2 Kings 5:11, Genesis 18:12-15, 1 Kings 17:18, 1 Kings 18:9, Psalms 116:11, Luke 1:18-20

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:19 - Sarah Genesis 21:2 - conceived Joshua 14:6 - the man Judges 13:3 - but thou Judges 13:6 - A man Judges 20:38 - sign 1 Kings 12:22 - General 2 Kings 8:4 - all the great 2 Kings 13:19 - the man of God Ecclesiastes 3:2 - time to be born Matthew 1:21 - she Matthew 10:41 - that receiveth a prophet Luke 7:12 - the only

Verse 17

Genesis 21:1, 1 Samuel 1:19, 1 Samuel 1:20, Psalms 113:9, Luke 1:24, Luke 1:25, Luke 1:36, Hebrews 11:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:19 - Sarah Genesis 18:10 - according Genesis 21:2 - conceived 2 Kings 8:4 - all the great Matthew 1:21 - she Matthew 10:41 - that receiveth a prophet Luke 1:13 - thy prayer

Verse 18

to the reapers: Ruth 2:4

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 17:17 - the son of the woman 2 Kings 4:8 - it fell on 2 Kings 8:1 - whose son

Verse 19

My head: From this peculiar exclamation, and the season of the year, it is probable he was affected by the coup de soleil, or stroke of the sun, which is by no means uncommon in hot climates, and often proves fatal. Job 14:1, Job 14:2, Jeremiah 4:19

Verse 20

his mother: Isaiah 49:15, Isaiah 66:13, Luke 7:12

and then died: Genesis 22:2, Genesis 37:3, Genesis 37:5, 1 Kings 17:17, Ezekiel 24:16-18, Luke 2:35, John 11:3, John 11:5, John 11:14

Verse 21

the bed: 2 Kings 4:10, 1 Kings 17:19

Verse 22

I may run: 2 Kings 4:24, 2 Kings 4:26, John 11:3, Acts 9:38

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 12:22 - General Proverbs 31:11 - General 2 Peter 1:21 - in old time

Verse 23

new moon: Numbers 10:10, Numbers 28:11, 1 Chronicles 23:31, Isaiah 1:13-15

well: Heb. peace, 2 Kings 4:26

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 20:5 - the new moon Psalms 74:8 - all the synagogues Psalms 81:3 - new Proverbs 31:11 - General Isaiah 66:23 - that from Amos 8:5 - When Colossians 2:16 - the new

Verse 24

Then she: Exodus 4:20, 1 Samuel 25:20, 1 Kings 13:13, 1 Kings 13:23

an ass: These animals were not anciently, as now, used only by the lower classes, but were in general use among the noble and chief personages of the East, and it was not unusual for even the husband to walk by the side of his wife while thus riding; the driver, as was the custom, following. The Shunammite, when she went to the prophet, did not desire so much attendance; but only requested her husband to send her an ass and its driver.

Drive: 1 Samuel 25:19

slack not thy riding for me: Heb. restrain not for me to ride

Reciprocal: Joshua 10:6 - Slack 2 Kings 4:22 - I may run Luke 10:4 - and

Verse 25

to mount: 2 Kings 2:25, 1 Kings 18:19, 1 Kings 18:42, Isaiah 35:2

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 1:3 - Shunammite 1 Kings 12:22 - General

Verse 26

Run now: Zechariah 2:4

Is it well with thee: Genesis 29:6, Genesis 37:14, 1 Samuel 17:18, Matthew 10:12, Matthew 10:13, Acts 15:36

It is well: 2 Kings 4:23, Leviticus 10:3, 1 Samuel 3:18, Job 1:21, Job 1:22, Psalms 39:9

Reciprocal: Judges 18:15 - saluted him 2 Kings 4:22 - I may run 2 Kings 5:21 - Is all well 2 Kings 9:11 - Is all well

Verse 27

him by the feet: Heb. by his feet, Matthew 28:9, Luke 7:38

thrust: Matthew 15:23, Matthew 20:31, Mark 10:13, John 4:27, John 12:4-6

Let her alone: Mark 14:6, John 12:7

vexed: Heb. bitter, 1 Samuel 1:10, Job 10:1, Proverbs 14:10, Proverbs 18:14

hid it from me: 2 Kings 6:12, Genesis 18:17, 2 Samuel 7:3, Amos 3:7, John 15:15

Reciprocal: Joshua 1:1 - Moses' minister 1 Samuel 30:6 - grieved 1 Kings 1:27 - and thou 1 Kings 12:22 - General 1 Kings 14:5 - the Lord 2 Kings 4:37 - fell at his feet 2 Kings 6:9 - thither the Syrians Esther 8:3 - fell Job 3:20 - the bitter Job 7:11 - the anguish Job 27:2 - vexed my soul Psalms 109:22 - and my Proverbs 31:6 - of heavy hearts Isaiah 38:15 - in the Hebrews 11:35 - Women

Verse 28

Did I desire: Genesis 30:1

Do not: 2 Kings 4:16

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:12 - my Lord Job 7:11 - the anguish Acts 9:38 - desiring

Verse 29

Gird up thy loins: 2 Kings 9:1, 1 Kings 18:46, Ephesians 6:14, 1 Peter 1:13

take my: 2 Kings 2:14, Exodus 4:17

salute him not: Luke 10:4

lay my staff: 2 Kings 2:8, 2 Kings 2:14, Exodus 7:19, Exodus 7:20, Exodus 14:16, Joshua 6:4, Joshua 6:5, Acts 3:16, Acts 19:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:7 - And Jacob 2 Kings 4:12 - Gehazi Proverbs 31:17 - girdeth Jeremiah 1:17 - gird up Matthew 17:16 - and they Mark 9:18 - and they Mark 16:8 - neither John 20:17 - Touch

Verse 30

As the Lord: 2 Kings 2:2, 2 Kings 2:4

I will not: Exodus 33:12-16, Ruth 1:16-18

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 1:26 - as thy soul 2 Samuel 15:21 - As the Lord 1 Kings 1:29 - As the

Verse 31

neither voice: 1 Samuel 14:37, 1 Samuel 28:6, Ezekiel 14:3, Matthew 17:16-21, Mark 9:19-29, Acts 19:13-17

hearing: Heb. attention, 1 Kings 18:26, 1 Kings 18:29

not awaked: Job 14:12, Daniel 12:2, Mark 5:39, John 11:11, John 11:43, John 11:44, Ephesians 5:14

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 5:20 - Gehazi 2 Kings 8:1 - whose son Luke 9:40 - and they

Verse 32

the child: 1 Kings 17:17, Luke 8:52, Luke 8:53, John 11:17

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 17:19 - into a loft 2 Kings 4:4 - thou shalt shut Matthew 9:25 - the people Matthew 10:41 - that receiveth a prophet Luke 7:15 - General John 5:21 - as Acts 9:40 - and prayed

Verse 33

shut the door: 2 Kings 4:4, Matthew 6:6

prayed: 2 Kings 5:11, 2 Kings 6:17, 2 Kings 6:18, 2 Kings 6:20, 1 Kings 17:20, 1 Kings 17:21, 1 Kings 18:26, 1 Kings 18:27, John 11:41, John 11:42, Acts 9:40, James 5:13-18

Reciprocal: Hosea 9:8 - with Mark 5:40 - when Mark 7:33 - he took Mark 9:29 - by prayer John 11:43 - Lazarus James 5:14 - pray James 5:16 - The effectual

Verse 34

1 Kings 17:21, Acts 20:10

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 13:16 - Elisha Mark 7:33 - he took Mark 9:29 - by prayer Luke 8:51 - he suffered

Verse 35

to and fro: Heb. once hither and once thither

and the child opened: 2 Kings 8:1, 2 Kings 8:5, 2 Kings 13:21, 1 Kings 17:22, Luke 7:14, Luke 7:15, Luke 8:55, John 11:43, John 11:44, Acts 9:40

Reciprocal: Acts 20:10 - and fell

Verse 36

Call this Shunammite: 2 Kings 4:12

Take up: 1 Kings 17:23, Luke 7:15, Hebrews 11:35

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 5:20 - Gehazi 2 Kings 6:7 - Take it up Luke 9:42 - and delivered

Verse 37

fell at his feet: 2 Kings 4:27, 2 Kings 2:15, 1 Kings 17:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:12 - he bowed himself 1 Samuel 25:24 - fell 1 Kings 17:23 - thy son liveth

Verse 38

Elisha: 2 Kings 2:1, 1 Samuel 7:16, 1 Samuel 7:17, Acts 10:38, Acts 15:36

a dearth: 2 Kings 8:1, Leviticus 26:26, Deuteronomy 28:22-24, Deuteronomy 28:38-40, 2 Samuel 21:1, Jeremiah 14:1-6, Ezekiel 14:13, Luke 4:25

the sons: 2 Kings 2:3, 1 Samuel 19:20

were sitting: Proverbs 8:34, Luke 2:46, Luke 8:35, Luke 8:38, Luke 10:39, Acts 22:3

Set on the great pot: Mark 6:37, Mark 8:2-6, Luke 9:13, John 21:5, John 21:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:10 - was a 1 Samuel 10:5 - a company 1 Kings 20:35 - of the sons 2 Kings 4:1 - sons 2 Kings 4:42 - bread 2 Kings 6:1 - the place Job 30:4 - for their meat Amos 4:6 - and want Amos 7:14 - neither

Verse 39

a wild vine: Isaiah 5:4, Jeremiah 2:21, Matthew 15:13, Hebrews 12:15

wild gourds: The word pakkuoth, from peka, in Chaldee, to burst, and in Syriac, to crack, thunder, is generally supposed to be the fruits of the coloquintida, or colocynth; whose leaves are large, placed alternately, very much like those of the vine, whence it might be called a wild vine: the flowers are white, and the fruit of the gourd kind, of the size of a large apple, and when ripe, of a yellow colour, and a pleasant and inviting appearance. It ranks among vegetable poisons, as all intense bitters do; but, judiciously employed, it is of considerable use in medicine. It is said that the fruit, when ripe, is so full of wind that it bursts, and throws its liquor and seeds to a great distance, and if touched, before it breaks of itself, it flies open with an explosion, and discharges its foetid contents in the face of him who touched it.

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 6:18 - knops 2 Chronicles 4:3 - oxen Job 30:4 - for their meat Mark 16:18 - if

Verse 40

O thou: 2 Kings 4:9, 2 Kings 1:9, 2 Kings 1:11, 2 Kings 1:13, Deuteronomy 33:1, 1 Kings 17:18

death: Exodus 10:17, Exodus 15:23, Mark 16:18

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 13:19 - the man of God

Verse 41

he cast: 2 Kings 2:21, 2 Kings 5:10, 2 Kings 6:6, Exodus 15:25, John 9:6, 1 Corinthians 1:25

there: Acts 28:5

harm: Heb. evil thing

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 20:7 - Take a lump Hosea 9:8 - with

Verse 42

Baalshalisha: 1 Samuel 9:4, 1 Samuel 9:7

bread: 2 Kings 4:38, Exodus 23:16, Deuteronomy 12:6, Deuteronomy 26:2-10, 1 Samuel 9:7, 2 Chronicles 11:13, 2 Chronicles 11:14, Proverbs 3:9, Proverbs 3:10, 1 Corinthians 9:11, Galatians 6:6

of barley: 2 Kings 7:1, 2 Kings 7:16-18, Deuteronomy 8:8, Deuteronomy 32:14, John 6:9, John 6:13

the husk thereof: or, his scrip, or garment, Note: Parched corn, or corn to be parched; full ears before they are ripe, parched on the fire: avery frequent food in the East. The loaves were probably extremely small, as their loaves of bread still are in eastern countries. But small as this may appear, it would be a considerable present in the time of famine; though very inadequate to the number of persons. Baal-shalisha, of which the person who made this seasonable present was an inhabitant, was situated, according to Eusebius and Jerome, fifteen miles north of Diospolis, or Lydda.

Reciprocal: Exodus 22:29 - shalt not delay Leviticus 2:14 - corn beaten Joshua 14:6 - the man 1 Kings 14:3 - And take 1 Kings 17:14 - The barrel of meal Daniel 1:15 - their Matthew 4:4 - but Matthew 14:16 - they Matthew 15:33 - Whence Mark 6:37 - give Mark 6:42 - General Mark 8:4 - From Mark 8:8 - they took Luke 9:13 - Give

Verse 43

his servitor: 2 Kings 4:12

What: Matthew 14:16, Matthew 14:17, Matthew 15:33, Matthew 15:34, Mark 6:37-39, Mark 8:4, Luke 9:13, John 6:9

They shall eat: Matthew 14:20, Matthew 15:37, Matthew 16:8-10, Mark 6:42, Mark 6:43, Mark 8:20, Luke 9:17, John 6:11-13

Reciprocal: Ruth 2:14 - she did 2 Kings 4:6 - when the vessels 2 Chronicles 31:10 - we have had Hosea 9:8 - with John 6:7 - Two

Verse 44

Reciprocal: Ruth 2:14 - she did 2 Kings 4:6 - when the vessels 2 Chronicles 31:10 - we have had Matthew 14:20 - were Luke 9:17 - and there