2 Kings 4

1 sons of the prophets. See note on 1 Sam. x. 5. An important difference may be observed in the condition of the prophets in the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. In Judah they are mostly scattered and isolated; but in Israel they have a more compact organisation. This prophetic body in the northern kingdom, like the body of priests in the southern, counteracted, to some extent, the prevalent idolatry.

4. Shut the door. Partly perhaps to guard against intrusion, and partly to avoid display. Cp. ver. 33: Luke viii. 51, 54, etc.

8 a great woman. That is, as in the old translations, “a rich woman.” Cp. 1 Sam. xxv. 2; 2 Sam. xix. 32.

Shunem. Where the Philistines encamped opposite Mt. Gilboa, and not far from Nain, where Christ raised the widow’s son to life.

10 make a little chamber . . . on the wall. Rather, “a little wall-chamber,” or “a chamber with walls.”

stool. This should be “chair,” or “seat,” a mark of respect, as the Easterns generally sit on the floor, on a mat or carpet.

candlestick. “Lamp.”

13. Wouldst thou be spoken for, etc.? i.e., Hast thou any request that I can present to them for thee? The king and his general were under great obligations to Elisha (see iii. 17-25), so that he might with propriety ask a favour.

I dwell among mine own people. The meaning is, I have nothing to look for from such persons. I only desire to live quietly at home.

16 do not lie, etc. i.e., Raise no hopes that must be disappointed.

23. Wherefore wilt thou go? Clearly thinking that there was not much the matter with the child.

It shall be well. The Hebrew is simply “Peace.” She wished to stop his inquiries, and obtain her request without giving a definite reply.

24. Slack not thy riding for me. Rather, “Slacken me not the riding” (R.V.), i.e., my riding; for the mistress alone rode.

25 to mount Carmel. About 20 miles from Shunem.

27 hath hid it from me. The gift of prophecy did not include the supernatural revelation of every event.

28. Do not deceive me. This was enough to suggest to the prophet that the anguish of the mother arose from the loss of her son.

29 he said to Gehazi, etc. By sending Gehazi with his staff Elisha probably intended to assure the mother that he expected through the prayer of faith to be permitted to restore her son (34).

answer him not. Oriental salutations are tedious, and interfere with prompt attention to business: see Luke x. 4.

31 neither voice, etc. i.e., no sign of life in the body.

35. Then he returned. Note the contrast with our Lord’s miracles in the repeated efforts and prayers of the prophet: see 1 Kings xvii. 21.

39 a wild vine. Literally, “vine of the field.” It is supposed to have been the colocynth-gourd (Cucumis colocynthis or Cucumis prophetarum). Its fruit is like a small water-melon.

42. Baal-shalisha. A place only mentioned here. It was to the north of Lydda. From 1 Sam. ix. 4 we gather that the “land of Shalisha” was contiguous to Mount Ephraim.

firstfruits. Carrying out the spirit of the law in Numb. xviii. 13; Deut. xviii. 4, 5; and presenting to the prophets what, if circumstances had allowed, would have been brought to the priests.

44 did eat, and left. This event faintly foreshadows two of our Lord’s miracles. Elisha, however, did not perform, but predicted, this miracle, which teaches the lesson of trust in God.