2 Kings 4:42

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 4:42

2 Kings 4:42. A man brought bread of the first fruits, &c. This was a seasonable present, it being a time of dearth, when bread was very scarce. The first-fruits were due to the priests, but these, and probably the rest of the priests’ dues, were usually brought by the pious Israelites, according to their ability and opportunity, to the Lord’s prophets, because they were not permitted to carry them to Jerusalem. Twenty loaves of barley Of what weight is not said, but it is likely... read more

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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:42

V. FOOD SUPERNATURALLY MULTIPLIED FOR THE STUDENTS"And there came a man from Baashalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the first-fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And he said, Give unto the people that they may eat. And his servant said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? But he said, Give the people, that they may eat; for thus saith Jehovah, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Kings 4:42

2 Kings 4:42. And full ears of corn in the husk thereof— And also new corn in his scrip or bag. Houbigant. REFLECTIONS.—Elisha's happy employment was in the prophetic schools, to instruct and encourage by his advice and experience those who might succeed him in the rising generation. Thus we find him employed at Gilgal; and by his miracles relieving their bodies while he fed their souls. 1. He commands his servant to provide a repast for his disciples, after his instructions. They had learned... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Kings 4:42-44

God’s ability to multiply resources 4:42-44Archaeologists debate the site of Baal-salishah. In obedience to the Mosaic Law, the man in view brought Elisha his offering of firstfruits to honor God by giving this offering to His servants (Numbers 18:13; Deuteronomy 18:4). This simple act of obedience resulted in God miraculously multiplying these limited resources that the man committed to Him to produce enough for everyone in need (2 Kings 4:43; cf. Matthew 14:16-21; Matthew 15:32-38). The... 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 4:38-44

(38-44) Elisha among the sons of the prophets at Gilgal during the famine. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Kings 4:42

(42) Baal-shalisha.—Probably the same as Bethshalisha, mentioned by Jerome and Eusebius, fifteen Roman miles north of Lydda-Diospolis, and not far west of Gilgal and Bethel. (Comp. “the land of Shalisha,” 1 Samuel 9:4. Its name, Shalisha—as if Three-land—seems to allude to the three wadies, which there meet in the Wâdy Qurâwâ.)Bread of the firstfruits.—Comp. Numbers 18:13; Deuteronomy 18:4, according to which all firstfruits of grain were to be given to the priests and Levites. Such presents to... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Kings 4:1-44

2 Kings 4:29 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

Group of Brands