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Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:1-44

Miracles of care for the remnant (4:1-44)The widow of one of the prophets was in desperate trouble. She had hardly any food left and was about to lose her only means of income; for her sons were to be taken from her in payment for a debt. Elisha’s miraculous provision of oil enabled her to pay the debt and so preserve a few of God’s faithful in days of extreme hardship (4:1-7).Another of Israel’s faithful was the wife of a wealthy landowner. She recognized Elisha as God’s representative and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Kings 4:8-37

God’s blessing of those who honor Him 4:8-37In contrast to the incident above, this one shows God’s blessing on a wealthy woman. She was not the marriage partner of a prophet but a simple faithful believer in Yahweh (cf. 2 Kings 4:8-10; 2 Kings 4:16; 2 Kings 4:21-22; 2 Kings 4:24-25; 2 Kings 4:27; 2 Kings 4:30; 2 Kings 4:37). She was living among unbelievers in Israel (cf. Rahab, Ruth, et al.). Her husband appears to have been only a formal participant in Yahweh worship rather than thoroughly... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:1-44

Various Miracles of ElishaThe miracles related of Elisha in this and the following chapters resemble many of those previously recounted of Elijah. Thus both prophets multiplied the sustenance of a woman in need (2 Kings 4:1-7; 1 Kings 17:8-16); both restored a dead child to life (2 Kings 4:8-27; 1 Kings 17:17-24); both came into conflict with their king on the occasion of a famine (2 Kings 6:24-33; 1 Kings 18); and both brought a violent death upon certain individuals who offended them (2 Kings... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Kings 4:15

(15) Call her.—The Shunammite is now summoned into the presence of the prophet himself.She stood.—Or, took her stand. Modesty, or reverence for Elisha, prevented her from going farther. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:1-44

ELISHA’S MIRACLES2 Kings 4:1-44WE are now in the full tide of Elisha’s miracles, and as regards many of them we can do little more than illustrate the text as it stands. The record of them clearly comes from some account prevalent in the schools of the prophets, which is however only fragmentary, and has been un-chronologically pieced into the annals of the kings of Israel.The story of Elisha abounds far more in the supernatural than that of Elijah, and is believed by most critics to be of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Kings 4:1-44

3. The Miracles CHAPTER 4 1. The widow’s oil multiplied (2 Kings 4:1-7 ) 2. The Shunammite and her reward (2 Kings 4:8-17 ) 3. The son of the Shunammite raised from the dead (2 Kings 4:18-37 ) 4. The deadly pottage healed (2 Kings 4:38-41 ) 5. The multitude fed (2 Kings 4:42-44 ) In the previous chapter Elisha appeared as the saviour of Israel, and now he acts in behalf of the widow of one of the sons of the prophets. His name is not given. Elisha had known him as one who feared the... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:1-44

THE WIDOW'S OIL (vv.1-7) The history of the Kings is again interrupted to make way for the ministry of Elisha. The bad example of the kings had brought about poverty in the land, and God provided grace in the ministry of Elisha the prophet to meet this condition of poverty. The sons of the prophets were not always dependable men. A widow of one of these men pled with Elisha for help because her deceased husband had not provided for his family and the creditor wanted to take his two sons as... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:1-44

ELISHA ’S MINISTRY BEGINS MANEUVERING AN ARMY (2 Kings 3:0 ) The incident about Mesha (2 Kings 3:4-5 ) is interesting from the point of view of Biblical criticism. This is the only time he is mentioned in Sacred Writ and his name does not appear in profane history. For this cause objectors to the Bible have demanded proof of his existence at the time named. Also, was Moab noted for its wool? Was it tributary to Israel at this period? Did this rebellion occur? etc. It was impossible to... read more

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