2 Kings 4

Elisa by a miracle multiplieth the oil of a poor widow, vers 1, &c. He is lodged by the Sunamite, 8. He promiseth her a son, 12. Whom she obtaineth, 17. The son dieth, 18. Whom Elisa restoreth to life, 29. He taketh away the venomous quality from the wild gourds, 38. And feedeth an hundred men with twenty barely loaves, and green ears, 42.

1. Now a (certain) woman of the wives of the sons of the Prophets [See 1 Kings 20.on ver.35.] cried unto Elisa, saying; Thy servant, my husband, is dead, and thou knowest, that thy servant feared the LORD; now the creditour [to whom I am indebted for moneys borrowed, or Wares bought, or otherwise] is come, to take both my children (to be) his servants. [i.e. bond-men, slaves: to wit, either that he himself may use them as such, or else fell them to others, for that which I owe him, and am not able up pay. See the: Law of God concerning this kind of bondage, Lev.25.39.]

2. And Elisa said unto her; What shall I do for thee? tell me; What hast thou in the house? and she said, Thine hand-maid hath nothing at all in the house, save a pitcher with oil. [To wit, which was full of oil, or at least wherein some oil was yet left.]

3. Then he said; Go ask for thy self vessels abroad, of all thy neighbour, empty vessels; see that thou hast not a few. [As well out of thine own house, as borrowed of others, and brought all together.]

4. Then come in, and shut the door before thee [Or, upon, or, by thee] and before thy sons: [viz. That none may hinder thee, either in the work, which I enjoy thee to do, or in the devotion, which thou must have therein unto the LORD] then pour into all these vessels, [to wit, oil out of thy pitcher] and fell away that which is full.

5. So she went from him, and shut up the door before her, and before her sons; they brought her the vessels, and she poured in.

6. And it came to pass, when these vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel: but he said unto her, There is not a vessel more: and the oil stood still. [i.e. Was not multitude more, forasmuch as the pitcher, out of which she had poured, yielded no more oil.]

7. Then she came, and told it to the man of God; [Namely Elisa: see Judg.13.on v.6.] and he said, Go thy ways, sell thy oil, and pay thy Creditour: thou then (with) thy sons live by the rest. [To wit, of the oil, or the money, that thou shalt have made of the oil over and above thy debt.]

8. Also it came to pass on a day, when Elisa passed on to Sunem, [See 1 Kings 1 on v.3.] that there was a great woman, [great, in descent, name, and means. See Gen.14.35. and the annotate. also compare 1 Sam.25.2.] that besought him, to eat bread: [i.e. to take his repast with her. See Gen.31.on v.54. so in the sequel] more over, it came to pass, (that) as oft (as) he passed by, he turned in thither, to eat bread.

9. And he said unto her husband; Behold now, I have perceived that this man of God is holy; [See Lev.19.on v.2.] which passeth by us continually.

10. Let us, I pray, make a little upper chamber of a wall, [Heb.upper chamber of the wall; that is, a little chamber, that butted out with a wall. The Hebrew word is used both of stone-walls, above chap.3.25. and of board, or timber-walls, Levit.1.15. where mention is made of the wall of the Altar, which was made of wood, Exod.17.1. Oth.of, or, with walls] and let us set for him there a bed, and (a) table, and (a) candlestick, so it shall come to pass, when he cometh to us, (that) he shall turn in thither.

11. And it came to pass on a day, that he came thither; and he turned into that upper chamber, and laid himself down there.

12. Then he said unto his lad, [Or, servant, or, minister. The Hebrew word is affirmed not only of youths, or young men, but also of men of full growth and age. See Gen.22.on v.5. Such an one seemeth Gehazi to have been, by what is related below, chap.5.ver.27.] Gehazi, Call this Sunamitish (woman) and when he had called her, she stood before his face, [i.e. before Elisa.]

13. (For he said him, [Namely to his servant Gehazi] say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this carefulness, [The word signifieth such a care as is accompanied with fear and trembling, whereby a man is afraid to omit, or neglect anything that is needful and necessary, or not do it so as it ought to be done. Compare Luke 10:40,41.] what is there to be done for thee? Is there any thing to be spoken for thee to the King; or to the chief Captain? and she had said, I dwell in the midst of my people. [i.e. I have peace and friendship with the people among whom I dwell, so that I am at variance with none, for which cause I should have need to trouble either the King, or his chief Captain.]

14. Then he [Namely Elisa] had said; [to wit, to his servant Gehazi, when he had told his master Elisa, what the woman had answered] What is there then to be done for her? And Gehazi had said; She hath indeed no son, and her husband is old.

15. Therefore he [Namely Elisa] had said, [to wit, to his servant Gehazi] Call her; and when he had called her, she stood in the door. [to wit, to the door. [to wit, of the Prophets little chamber. Compare this with the foregoing 12. verse, unto which it must be applied, according to the relation of what is spoken between, contained in the 13,14, and 15.verses.]

16. And he said, On this appointed time, [i.e. On, or at time of the year: so in the following verse: see these very same words, Gen.18.14.] about this time of life [see Gen.18.on ver.10.] thou shalt embrace a son: and she said, Nay, my LORD, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine hand-maid. [i.e. make me not a promise of any good thing, whereof the performance may not follow.]

17. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that appointed time, about the time of life, that Elisa had spoken to her.

18. Now when the child grew great, it happened on a day, that it went forth to his Father to the Reapers.

19. And it said unto his Father, My head, my head: [It acquaints him thus with the pain, that it fell in his head] then he [to wit, the Father] said unto a lad, Carry him to his mother.

20. And he carried him, and brought him to his Mother: and he sat on her knees till noon, then he died.

21. And she went up [To wit, to the upper chamber, which she had caused to be made for Elisa: see above v.10.] and laid him on the bed of the man of God: then she shut [to wit, the door] before him [see above on verse 4.] and went forth.

22. And she called for her husband, and said, [i.e. Sent word to him] send me, I pray, one of the lads, and one of the she-asses, that I may run to the man of God, and return.

23. And he said, Why doest thou go to him to day? It is neither new Moon, nor Sabbath: [He said this, because the godly ones, that were yet left in Israel, employed the New Moons, Sabbaths, and other Festivals in Religious Works; and to this end, repaired to the prophets of the Lord, who kept Assemblis and Meerings for the preservation of found Doctrine, and pure Religion] and she said, it shall be well. [Heb. Peace. See Gen. 37. on ver.14. Intimating that all would be well, forasmuch as she made this journey for good end; in the mean while she concealeth from her husband the death of her son, as well not suddenly to deceive him, as also that her Journey might not be hindered.]

24. Then she sadled the she-ass, and said unto her lad; Drive, and go forward: cease not for me ride on, except I tell thee. [That is, slack not, or hinder not the journey for my ease sake, unless I bid thee.]

25. So she went, and came to the man of God, to mount Carmel: [See 1 Kings 18.on ver.19.] and it came to pass, when the men of God saw her over against (him), that he said unto his lad Gehasi; Behold, there is the Sunamites (woman)

26. Run 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 thy child? [Heb. hast thou peace? hath thine husband peace? &c. See Gen.29.on v.6.] and she said, it is well.

27. Now when she came to the man of God on the hill, she caught hold on his feet; [she did this not onely out of humble reverence, but also out of servant affection, to crave something from Elisa, desiring that he would not stir out of his place, until he had heard her. Compare Matth.28 9.] but Gehasi step forth to thrust her away; [to wit, that she might not be troublesome to his master. Compare Matth.10.13.] but the man of God said, Let her alone, for her soul is bitterly grieved within her, (Hebr. bitter to her; that is, possest with some grief, that goeth exceedingly to her heart. Butterness, is taken for grief, and vexation or trouble of heart, Gen.26 35. Ruth 1:20. 1 Sam.1.10. and 22.2. Job 3:20. and 7.11. and 9.18. Prov.14.10.] and the LORD hath hid it from me, and made me not acquainted with it.

28. And she said, Did I desire a son of my Lord? [Intimating that she had not desired him of Elisa, but that had promised him her of his own accord, and therefore ought now to cease with his prayers, that she might get him again] did I say, do not deceive me? [oth. promise no luck to me.]

29. And he said unto Gehasi, Gird up thy loins, [To wit, to dispatch the Journey the speedier, which he was commanded to make; for which long garments that men wore in those times, were a great hinderance. Compare 1 Kings 18 46. 2 kings 9.1. Jer.1.17.] and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy ways: if thou find any man, salute him not; [Heb. bless him not: see Gen.31.on v.35.’Tis a phrase, signifying that he was to make haste in his journey, and to cast off all lets and hinderances that he might meet withal by the way. Compare Luke 10 4] and if any man salute thee, answer him not; and lay my staff upon the lads face. [for a token of the miracle, which God shall do. Thus God wrought by the staff of Moseh, Exod.14.16. by the mantle of Elia, 2 Kings 2:8. by the handkerchiefs, and girdle of Paul, Act.19.12. which proceeded onely from the power of God, whereof these things were but means and tokens, when it pleased God to work by them.]

30. But the mother of the lad said, (As true as) the LORD liveth, and thy soul liveth, [See above chap.2.on v.2.] I will not leave thee: [Heb. if I leave thee!] then he arose, and followed her.

31. Now Gehasi passed on before their face: and he laid the staff upon the face of the lad; but there was no voice, [i.e. No token of life. The reason was, because Elisa had not yet made his prayer to God, without which the laying on of the staff was fruitless. Now he had not made his prayer, because by the mother earnest importunity he was minded himself to go the child, and there to pour out his prayer unto the LORD, which otherwise he would have done at home in his own house] nor any attention [i.e. hearing, or listening] so he turned back to meet him, and brought him word, saying; The lad is not awaked. [to wit, from the sleep of death. Compare Isa.26.19. Da.12.2.]

32. And when Elisa came into the house, [To wit, of the Shunamite] Behold, the lad was dead, being laid upon his bed. [to wit, upon the man of Gods bed, above ver.21.which bed was in the chamber, which the Sunamite had caused to be made in her house for the prophet, above ver.10.]

33. So he went in, [To wit, into the chamber, wherein he had been sometimes lodged, and where the dead body lay upon the bed] and shut the door upon both: [Namely, before him, and before the child] and prayed unto the LORD.

34. And he went up, [To wit, upon the bed, whereon the dead child lay: so in the following verse] and laid himself down upon the child, and laying his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands, spreading himself upon him, [see the examples, 1 Kings hands, spread himself upon him, [see the examples, 1 Kings 17:21. Act.20.10.] and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

35. Then he returned, and walked in the house once hither, and once thither, and went up (again), and stretched himself out upon him, and the lad sneezed seven times, after that the lad opened his eyes. [Miracle are finished two manner of ways: First, sometimes forthwith, and immediately, as 1 Kings 18:37,38. Job.11.43,44. below ver.41.&c. Secondly sometimes by little and little, or by degrees, as here; so 1 Kings 18:44 45. Mark 8. ver.24, 52.]

36. And he called Gehezi, and said, call this Sunamite; and he called her, and she came to him: and he said, Take up thy son.

37. So she came, and fell before his feet, and bowed herself to the ground: [With civil reverence, to give him thanks for the mercy, that God had bestowed upon her by his Ministery] and she took up her son, and went forth.

38. Now when Elisa came again to Gigal, [See above chap.2.on v.1.] then there was (a) famine in that land, and the sons of the Prophets sat before his face: [To wit, as Disciples at his feet, to be instructed by him, as by their Master and Teacher: see above chap.2.on verse 3.] and he said unto his lad; Set on the great pot, [or, order, or make ready the great pot] and see the pottage sons of the Prophets.

39. Then one went out into the field to gather pottage herbs, and he found a wild vine, [Heb. Vine of the field; that is, that growth in the field, or in some wild place: so ye have straightway Gourds of the field, that is, wild gourds, or colorinints] and gathered thereof, his garment full of wild gourds, [the branches whereof they writ that they be not unlike to the vine. It may be that they did shoot up neer this wild vine, and were mingled with the branches and leaves thereof, as wild gourds are wont to do: or that the names of wild vine, and wild gourds, in respect of the likeness of leaves and branches, were changed] and came, and shred them into the pot of pottage, for they knew them not. [namely, that their fruit was so bitter and dangerous.]

40. Then they filled up [Heb. Poured out, that is filled up, and poured in, to wit, into the vessels out of which they were to eat] for the men [namely, the sons of the Prophets] to eat: and it came to pass, when they did eat of that pottage, that they cried, and said, Man of God, death is in the pot: [that is, a kind of meat, whereof a man may eat his bane, or, death. Compare Exod.10.on v.17.] and they could not eat it. [to wit, because of the great bitterness.]

41. But he said, Then bring [Heb. Take; that is, take and bring: see Gen.12.on v.15.] meal: and he cast it into the pot: [see Exod.15.25.] and he said, take up for the people that they may eat; Then there was no barm in the pot. [Heb. no evil thing, &c. the meal had not taken this away, but the power of God, whereof the meal was onely a token and means.]

42. And there came a man from Baal Salisa, [A country in Benjamin: see 1 Sam 9.4.] and brought the man of God (loaves of) bread, of the fruits, twenty barley loaves, and green ears in their husks: [or, in their little houses; understand, that they stuck yet in their chaff, being not thrashed, or beaten out, oth. in his garment] and he said, Give unto the people [i.e. unto the sons of the Prophets] that they may eat.

43. But his servant said; What should I set that before an hundred men? [Heb. Set that before their face. He counteth the loaves to be few, comparing the multitude of the people, which were an hundred in number, with the smallness of the loaves, of which one man (as is conceived) might easily carry twenty. Compare Job.6 9.] and he said, Give unto people, that they may eat; for thus saith the LORD; They shall eat, and leave (thereof) [see Job.6.11.]

44. So he set it before them, and they did eat, and they left (thereof) according to the Word of the LORD.