2 Kings 4
Meaning of 2 Kings 4
2 Kings 4 is a chapter in the Bible, from the Old Testament, that mainly focuses on the miracles performed by the prophet Elisha. Here’s a breakdown of the main events in the chapter:
1. The Widow’s Olive Oil (vv. 1-7): This is a story about a widow whose husband, a servant of God, left her with debts. The creditors threatened to take her sons into slavery. The Prophet Elisha instructed her to gather as many empty jars as she could from her neighbors. She was then told to pour her small jar of oil into the collected jars. Miraculously, the oil kept flowing until all the jars were full, thus allowing the widow to sell the oil to pay off her debts and live on what was left.
2. The Shunammite Woman’s Son (vv. 8-37): Elisha frequently passed by the town of Shunem where a wealthy woman insisted he come to her house for food. She even prepared a room for him for his future visits. In gratitude for her hospitality, Elisha promised she would bear a son, despite her husband being old. The promise came true, but later, the child died. Elisha brought the child back to life, demonstrating the power of faith and the almighty God to whom even death is subject.
3. Death in the Pot (vv. 38-41): During a famine, a servant unintentionally made a poisonous stew for Elisha and some prophets. Elisha neutralized the poison, making it safe to eat.
4. Feeding One Hundred Men (vv. 42-44): A man brought Elisha twenty loaves of barley bread and some heads of new grain in a sack. Elisha instructed him to give it to the people to eat, but his servant didn’t think it was enough for a hundred men. Miraculously, everyone ate and there was some left over, similarly to the miracle performed by Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
These narratives center around the manifestation of God’s power and providence in situations that appear dire. It shows that Elisha was not just a prophet but a miracle worker, who through his faith in God was able to bring relief and blessings to people in need.
2 Kings 4 kjv
Sure, 2 Kings Chapter 4 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible describes several miracles performed by Elisha, the prophet who succeeded Elijah. Here are the main themes:
1. The Widow’s Olive Oil [Verses 1-7]: A widow, whose husband was a man of God and had died, was in debt, leaving her and her two sons at the mercy of a creditor. She appealed to Elisha for help. Elisha instructed her to gather as many empty jars as she could from her neighbors. She was then to take her small jar of olive oil and continue pouring it into all the collected jars. Miraculously, the oil did not run out until every jar was full. She was able to sell this oil, pay her debts and live on the remainder, thus God provided for her.
2. The Shunammite Woman [Verses 8-37]: Elisha often passed by a town called Shunem. A well-to-do woman in that town insisted him to have meals at her place. Later she set up a small room for him to rest whenever he came by. To thank her, Elisha prayed for her to have a son, even though her husband was old. Despite her disbelief, she had a son as Elisha prophesied. Later on, that son died unexpectedly out in the fields one day. Elisha eventually revives the boy and returns him to his mother, prompting her to fall at Elisha’s feet out of gratitude.
3. Death in the Pot [Verses 38-41]: At the time of a famine in Gilgal, the prophet Elisha instructed his servant to prepare a stew for the company of the prophets. Unknowingly, one of the servants added a harmful wild vine to the pot. Upon eating, they realized that the stew was poisonous. Elisha then instructed them to add flour to the stew pot. Miraculously, the stew was made edible, and thus Elisha saved them from poisoning.
4. Feeding of a Hundred [Verses 42-44]: A man brought Elisha twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain, his first fruits. Elisha commanded his servant to set it before the men, who were about a hundred in number, and they would eat. His servant doubted this could feed so many, but Elisha reassured him and said that the Lord has commanded it. Everyone had enough to eat, and even more was left over, just as Elisha had said.
This chapter is filled with miracles that demonstrate God’s provision, compassion, and power.
2 Kings 4 nkjv
The 2 Kings 4 NKJV (New King James Version) chapter describes several miracles performed by the prophet Elisha.
1. The Widow’s Olive Oil (2 Kings 4:1-7): A widow goes to Elisha for help because her sons are to be made slaves for payment of her debt. Elisha instructs her to collect empty containers in her house and pour her jar of oil into them. Miraculously, the oil does not run out until all the jars are filled. The prophet asks her to sell the oil to clear her debt and then live off the surplus with her sons, thus preventing her sons from becoming slaves.
2. Elisha and the Shunammite Woman (2 Kings 4:8-37): This part of the chapter narrates the story of a wealthy woman from Shunem. Knowing Elisha as a man of God, she offers him room and board. In a gesture of gratitude, Elisha promises her a son, even though her husband is old. The promised son comes, but then tragically dies. Elisha, however, with the power of God, raises him from the dead.
3. Elisha Purifies Death in the Pot (2 Kings 4:38-41): Elisha, at Gilgal during the famine, instructs his servant to make a stew for the sons of the prophets. One of them adds gourds from a vine that were not edible. Elisha placates their fears of poison by adding flour into the pot to purify it, demonstrating another miracle.
4. Elisha Feeds One Hundred Men (2 Kings 4:42-44): Elisha multiplies 20 small barley loaves and some grain into sufficient food for 100 men and even leaves leftovers. This shows the prophet working wonders by demonstrating God’s power to provide abundantly.
2 Kings 4 niv
2 Kings 4 from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible consists of several narrative accounts of the miracles Elisha performed. Here’s a summary:
1. The Widow’s Olive Oil (2 Kings 4:1-7): A widow of a prophet, who was a part of Elisha’s company, is in debt and about to lose her sons to slavery. Elisha instructs her to collect as many empty jars as she can. Then, she is told to pour the little oil she has remaining into each jar. Miraculously, the oil does not run out until the last jar is filled. She sells the oil to pay off her debts, and her sons are saved from slavery.
2. The Shunammite’s Son Restored to Life (2 Kings 4:8-37): Elisha frequently visited the town of Shunem and was well received by a wealthy woman there who prepared meals and accommodation for him. Out of gratitude, Elisha wanted to reward her and discovered she had no child. Elisha promises the woman a son. The woman bore a son as promised but he became severely ill and died. Elisha was called, and he resurrected the child.
3. Death in the Pot (2 Kings 4:38-41): The company of the prophets under Elisha’s charge were cooking a stew but the ingredients used were poisonous. Elisha instructed the men to put flour in the stew pot, rendering it safe to eat.
4. Feeding of a Hundred (2 Kings 4:42-44): Elisha multiplied 20 loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain, from a man who had come to present them as a first-fruits offering. This feed a hundred men with leftovers, in accordance with the word of God that Elisha brings to his servant.
These accounts throughout the chapter show the divine power working through Elisha, affirming his role as God’s prophet and demonstrating God’s care for His people in need.
What is 2 Kings 4 all about?
“2 Kings 4” is a chapter in the Bible, in the Old Testament, that outlines a series of miracles performed by the prophet Elisha, demonstrating God’s help and care even in the most mundane concerns of daily life.
1. The Widow’s Olive Oil (2 Kings 4:1-7): Here, Elisha provides for a widow and her two sons. They were about to be sold into slavery to pay off a debt. Elisha commanded them to gather jars from their neighbors. Once they did so, they began to pour olive oil from their single jar into the others until all were full. This miracle saved the woman from her debt.
2. The Shunammite’s Son (2 Kings 4:8-37): A woman from Shunem shows kindness to Elisha by regularly providing him with food and shelter, and in return, Elisha, through God’s power, enables her to have a son despite her husband’s old age. Years later, the child dies but is revived by Elisha. This story highlights that Elisha’s God is a God of life.
3. Death in the Pot (2 Kings 4:38-41): During a famine, a man unknowingly gathered poisonous gourds into the cooking pot, but Elisha neutralized the poison and no one was harmed when they ate it. This shows God’s protective hand over His people.
4. Feeding of a Hundred (2 Kings 4:42-44): Elisha miraculously multiplied 20 loaves of barley bread and some heads of grain to feed a hundred men with some left over, similar to Jesus Christ’s miracle of feeding thousands with few loaves and fishes in the New Testament.
Each episode emphasizes God’s care for His people and His ability to provide in situations both large and small, often using His prophets as earthly agents for His divine workings.
What does 2 Kings 4 teaches?
2 Kings Chapter 4 is a part of the Old Testament in the Holy Bible. This chapter focuses on the miracles performed by the prophet Elisha, indicating God’s benevolence, compassion, and power.
Here are the main stories and teachings in this chapter:
1. Elisha and the Widow’s Olive Oil: A widow was in debt and all she had was a little pot of olive oil. Elisha told her to borrow as many empty jars as she could, shut her door and start pouring the oil into the jars. Miraculously, the oil didn’t stop flowing until the last jar was filled. She could then sell the oil to pay her debts and live on what was left. The teaching in this story presents God as a provider and stresses faith in God’s ability to provide in seemingly impossible situations.
2. Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son: A wealthy woman from Shunem who offered hospitality to Elisha was childless. Elisha prophesied she would have a son, and she did. When the boy died unexpectedly, Elisha resurrected him. This miracle shows that God brings life where there’s death, both physically and spiritually, and emphasizes the power of faith.
3. Elisha Purifies the Deadly Stew: When a harmful wild gourd was unknowingly added to a stew, Elisha neutralized the poison with some flour, making it safe to eat. This illustrates God’s protection and his power to neutralize the harmful effects in our lives.
4. Feeding the Hundred: Elisha multiplied 20 loaves of barley and some ears of grain to feed a hundred people, with leftovers. This account underscores God’s power to multiply resources and provide abundantly.
Overall, 2 Kings 4 teaches about God’s compassion, provision, protection, and His power over life and death. It also highlights the importance of faith and the power of God working through His servants.
A Sermon on 2 Kings 4
2 Kings 4 contains several miracles performed by the prophet Elisha that demonstrate God’s power and compassion. It shows that God cares for all people – from the powerful to the powerless – and that He provides for our needs in surprising and lavish ways.
The chapter begins with Elisha assisting a widow who has insufficient resources to repay her debts. She has only a little oil left and her children are about to be taken into slavery. Elisha tells her to borrow as many empty jars as possible and begin filling them with oil from her tiny jar. Miraculously, the oil does not run out until she’s filled all of the jars, liquidating her debt and providing for her future.
Next, a Shunammite woman who regularly provided hospitality to Elisha is rewarded with a child, despite her husband’s old age. However, the boy dies suddenly a few years later. The woman soughts after Elisha and upon finding him, Elisha returned with her and brought her son back to life, signifying God’s power over death.
Following this, Elisha performs another miracle in Gilgal during a time of famine. A pot of stew poisoned with wild gourds was made safe to eat when Elisha threw a handful of flour into it. This act illustrates God’s ability to save people from disaster and death.
Lastly, a man brought Elisha twenty loaves of barley bread and fresh ears of grain. Elisha commanded to give it to a hundred men. His servant was doubtful, but the food was enough for all of them and they even had some leftover, illustrating God’s power of provision.
Throughout this sermon, the message could be found in the real and relevant applications of these miracles. God’s aid is never far away, and He often uses what we already have, even if it seems minor, to provide for our needs. We can also read about the recurrent biblical theme of hospitality and generosity being rewarded. Above all, 2 Kings 4 shows God’s power over resources, life, death, and sustenance.
Key people in 2 Kings 4
2 Kings 4 recounts several miracles performed by Elisha, with several key characters playing roles throughout the chapter.
1. Elisha: Elisha is a prophet of God who plays the principal role in this chapter. He acts as mediator between God and the people, performing miracles that help those in need.
2. The Widow: The chapter begins with a widow, whose husband was a follower of Elisha and feared the Lord. She was in debt and her two sons were to be taken as slaves to pay off that debt. Elisha, with God’s help, multiplied her oil, allowing her to pay off her debts and sustain her family. This miracle demonstrates God’s compassion for the dependent and poor.
3. The Widow’s sons: The two boys are part of the miracle Elisha performs. They collect jars for their mother for the miracle of the oil. They are also the ones at risk of being taken as slaves due to their father’s debt.
4. The Wealthy Shunammite Woman: This woman recognized Elisha as a holy man of God and often invited him to eat and rest at her home. She even had a room built for him on their roof. Elisha, in gratitude, asked God to bless her with a son because she was childless and her husband was old.
5. The Shunammite’s Son: This son, given to the Shunammite woman as a blessing from God, dies unexpectedly. Elisha resurrects him, demonstrating God’s power over life and death.
6. Gehazi: Gehazi is Elisha’s servant who assists him in several miracles and acts. He is often Elisha’s messenger or agent, such as when Elisha asks him to lay his staff on the Shunammite woman’s son.
7. The Men of the city: Elisha performs a miracle for these men by making poisonous stew safe to eat.
8. A Man From Baal-Shalishah: He brings Elisha twenty loaves of barley bread from his first fruits as a gift. Elisha, in turn, multiplies this gift to feed a hundred men.
Each character’s interaction with Elisha in the chapter serves to showcase the power and mercy of God through his prophet.
Real world examples on 2 Kings 4
2 Kings 4 contains miraculous stories that occur during the prophetic ministry of Elisha. While the chapter is spiritual and historical, I can explain some possible real world applications:
1. Elisha and the Widow’s Olive Oil – 2 Kings 4:1-7 tells the story of Elisha helping a widow pay her debts by miraculously multiplying her small jar of oil until she filled every vessel in her house, which she then sold to pay off her debts. This has real-world implications for faith and dependency on God; it demonstrates that God can provide for our needs, no matter how insignificant our resources may seem. It can also be seen as an encouragement to turn to a community during times of need, as the widow was instructed to ask her neighbours for empty jars.
2. Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son – In 2 Kings 4:8-37, Elisha raises a woman’s son from the dead. This story can be applied in the real world to signify the importance of hope, faith, and prayer in desperate circumstances. It reminds us that miracles can still happen in the most improbable situations.
3. Elisha Purifies the Deadly Stew – In 2 Kings 4:38-41, Elisha purifies a pot of stew which had become deadly due to a harmful ingredient. This can be translated in real life as a message that situations which seem destructive or hopeless can be rectified with the right intervention. It also exemplifies how leaders should take care of those under their authority.
4. Elisha Feeds One Hundred Men – In 2 Kings 4:42-44, Elisha feeds 100 men with twenty loaves of bread in a miraculous act of multiplication. This could be applied in the real world as an encouragement to share what we have, no matter how small it may seem, and trust that it can go further than expected.
It’s important to remember that these stories were written in a religious context and as such, their main purpose is to teach spiritual lessons. However, these principles have been applied by many in varying real world situations.
Brief Explanation of 2 Kings 4
2 Kings 4 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible that tells several miracles performed by the prophet Elisha. These miracles are:
1. Miracle of the Widow’s Oil: A widow in debt came to Elisha. She had nothing but a jar of oil and her sons were likely to be made slaves to repay the debt. Elisha directed her to borrow as many empty jars as possible from her neighbors and, in private, to start pouring her jar of oil into the containers. Miraculously, her jar of oil didn’t run out until all the jars were filled. She was able to sell the oil and pay off her debts.
2. Raising of the Shunammite’s son: Elisha often stayed in Shunem, where a wealthy woman provided a room for him. In gratitude for her kindness, Elisha promised her a son, despite her old age and her husband’s old age. After the child was born, he later died, and the Shunammite woman sought Elisha for help. Elisha raised her son from the dead.
3. Purifying the Pot of Stew: Elisha neutralized the poison in a pot of stew that had been cooked with poisonous gourds.
4. Feeding of a Hundred with Twenty Loaves: Elisha fed a hundred men with only twenty loaves of barley bread. After the men had finished eating, there was still food leftover.
The main themes explored in this chapter are the providence and the power of God, and Elisha’s role as a faithful prophet.
Frequently asked questions for 2 Kings 4
“2 Kings 4” is a chapter from the Bible in the Old Testament. Various questions could arise from this chapter depending on the reader’s familiarity with biblical stories, their personal beliefs, and the specific nuances they may be interested in. Below are some commonly asked questions:
1. Who is Elisha?
– Elisha is a prophet of God who served as an apprentice under the prophet Elijah. He performed miracles and spread the word of God.
2. What is the significance of the widow’s oil?
– This story symbolizes God’s provision. The widow pours out the little oil she has, which is then miraculously multiplied, to pay off her debts and save her sons from being sold into slavery.
3. What happened to the Shunammite woman?
– The Shunammite woman was a wealthy woman who showed kindness to Elisha. In return, Elisha prayed for her to have a son. Later on, when the son died, Elisha resurrected him, demonstrating the power of God even over death.
4. How does the healing of the poisonous stew occur?
– When some prophets are gathering food, they mistakenly add poisonous gourds to the stew. Elisha miraculously heals the stew by adding some flour, showing the power of God to transform and heal.
5. Who were the twenty loaves of bread for and why is it significant?
– A man came to Elisha offering twenty loaves of bread as a first fruit offering. Elisha instructs him to feed hundred of people with this small offering. Miraculously, there was more than enough food, symbolizing the bounty of God’s provision and his grace.
6. What is the overall theme in 2 Kings 4?
– The theme in 2 Kings 4 is about God’s miraculous providence, either through multiplication of resources or by resurrecting from death, showing His divine power and mercy towards the faithful.
Keep in mind, interpretations may vary based on different biblical commentaries and theological perspectives.
Possible References for 2 Kings 4
2 Kings 4 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible that contains four different narratives about the exploits of the prophet Elisha, highlighting God’s providence through his ministry:
1. Widow’s Olive Oil (2 Kings 4:1-7): This story illustrates Elisha’s intervention to save a widow from debt. She only has a jar of oil and Elisha prophesies that she will fill many jars with oil, sell the oil, and repay her debts.
2. The Shunammite’s Son (2 Kings 4:8-37): A wealthy woman from Shunem provides Elisha with lodging. In return for her kindness, he prophesies she will have a son, even though her husband is old. She gives birth to a son, who later dies suddenly, but is resurrected by Elisha, showcasing God’s miracle through the prophet.
3. Death in the Pot (2 Kings 4:38-41): During a famine, Elisha’s servant prepares a meal for the sons of the prophets but uses gourds from a vine which turn out to be poisonous. The food becomes deathly, but Elisha miraculously neutralizes the poison, making the food safe to eat.
4. Feeding of a Hundred (2 Kings 4:42-44): Elisha performs another miracle by feeding a hundred men with just twenty barley loaves and some grain, with leftovers remaining. This event foreshadows a similar event with Jesus Christ in the New Testament, where he miraculously feeds thousands.
These stories illustrate the power of God’s intervention and the miraculous abilities given to his prophets. The overarching theme revolves around God’s power to provide and resurrect.
Conclusion on 2 Kings 4
The conclusion of 2 Kings 4 in the Bible includes several miracles performed by the prophet Elisha, showcasing God’s power and His care for His people.
1. Elisha Multiplies the Widow’s Oil: A widow in debt was about to lose her sons to her creditors. Elisha instructed her to borrow jars from her neighbors and pour her small jar of oil into them. Miraculously, the oil did not stop flowing until all the jars were full. She was then able to sell the oil and pay off her debts, saving her sons.
2. Elisha and the Shunammite Woman: Elisha prophesied that a barren Shunammite woman would have a son. When the prophecy came true, she was overjoyed. Yet, the son later fell ill and died. Driven by faith, the mother sought Elisha’s help. Elisha came and resurrected her son from the dead.
3. Elisha Purifies the Pot: During a famine, Elisha and some prophets were preparing a meal with wild vines and gourds, not realizing one was poisonous. When they found out, Elisha threw flour into the pot and claimed, “Thus saith the LORD, ‘Eat, for the pot is purified.'” And it was.
4. Elisha Feeds a Hundred: Elisha was presented with twenty loaves of barley bread and some ears of grain during a famine. He instructed his servant to give it to the people to eat, who protested that it wasn’t enough. Yet, Elisha insisted, saying “Thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left'” (2 Kings 4:43). And indeed, there was food left over.
These stories signify the divine power that Elisha was granted as a prophet. They show that through faith and obedience, God can provide our needs, give life where there is death, and turn our little into something that overflows. The conclusion of 2 Kings 4 is meant to instill trust and faith in God.