2 Kings 4
BBC2 Kings 4:1
E. The Miraculous Ministry of Elisha (4:18:15)1. Miraculous Provision of Oil (4:1-7)An impoverished widow of one of the godly prophets was in danger of losing her sons to slavery because of unpaid debts. She was miraculously supplied with oil, the only limit being the number of vessels she could borrow to receive it. By selling the oil she was able to pay her debt and support her family. This event illustrates grace for the debtor, enough to meet present needs and to provide for future sustenance. God’s grace to needy sinners sets us free from debt and slavery and provides all we need for a new life.
2 Kings 4:8
- Miraculous Birth (4:8-17)A prominent woman of Shunem had shown unusual hospitality to Elisha, even fitting out a small upper room for him in her home. When she was offered a position or favor from the king through Elisha’s intercession, she humbly expressed her satisfaction at dwelling simply among her own people. Gehazi, the servant of the prophet, suggested that she might like a son, and this suggestion became a reality at the word of the prophet. The following spring she bore a son. Out of death (the barren womb) the Lord brought life, a picture of the spiritual birth of every child of God (Eph_2:1-10).
2 Kings 4:18
- Raising the Shunammite’s Son (4:18-37)4:18-25a Years later the lad suffered a stroke of some kind while out in the field. He was carried back to his mother and died in her arms at noon. She put his body in the prophet’s chamber. Then, without revealing the reason, she told her husband that she wanted to visit the man of God on Mount Carmel. He thought it strange to visit the prophet when it was not a religious holiday, but he made the necessary arrangements for transportation. With great speed she rode from Shunem, in the plain of Esdraelon, to Mount Carmel. 4:25b-28 Seeing her approach, Elisha sent Gehazi to meet her and to inquire as to her welfare. She did not tell Gehazi the purpose of her visit. In fact, she deceived him by saying that all was well with herself, her husband, and her son. She preferred to present her case directly to the prophet. The woman met Elisha with an emotional outburst and would have been dismissed by Gehazi if the prophet had not sensed her deep distress and permitted her to speak. The LORD had not revealed to Elisha the purpose of her visit, and neither did she.
But she gave a hint when she said, “Did I ask a son of my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?” In other words, “I do not want to be deceived by being given a son and then having him taken away from me.” Perhaps Elisha surmised from this that the son was seriously ill. 4:29-31 At first the prophet sent Gehazi to lay his staff on the dead child, telling him to avoid the usual prolonged Eastern greetings en route. The woman sensed that this would not do and insisted that Elisha himself return with her. As they approached Shunem, Gehazi met them with the news that the lad had not awakened. 4:32-37 Elisha then went into the room where the body lay, closed the door, prayed, and stretched himself out on the childmouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, and hands to hands. The prophet got up, walked back and forth, and then stretched himself out on the boy again. This time the lad sneezed seven times and . . . opened his eyes. The thankful mother received her son back to life again. In raising the child, Elisha fully identified with the dead youth: mouth to mouth, eye to eye, hand to hand. His staff had effected no change, but when he put himself on the boy and breathed his own life into him, the lad came alive.
2 Kings 4:38
- Detoxifying the Poisonous Stew (4:38-41) The next recorded miracle took place at Gilgal. During a time of famine (perhaps the seven-year famine mentioned in chap. 8), Elisha ordered his servant to cook some stew for the sons of the prophets. By mistake some poisonous gourds were put into the pot. When the mistake was detected, Elisha threw some flour into the pot and in this way made it safe to eat.
2 Kings 4:42
- Miraculous Provision of Bread (4:42-44)At another time Elisha fed one hundred men with twenty small, round, flat loaves of barley bread and some fresh ears of grain. There was enough and to spare, as the Lord had promised there would be. Elisha unselfishly gave to others what rightfully belonged to him. When we share with others and leave the consequences with God, He is able to meet our needs and the needs of others, and to even leave a surplus (Pro_11:24-25).