Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 4:21

And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God. One cannot be certain what thoughts were working in the poor bereaved mother's heart; but probably she entertained some vague notion that the prophet might be able to resuscitate her child, and thought that, until his presence could be obtained, the next best thing was to place the child where the prophet's presence had lately been. Elijah had placed on his own bed the child whom he restored to life ( 1 Kings 17:19 ); and the fact... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 4:22

And she culled unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses. She "called to her husband" from the house, without calling him into the house, expressing her desire to visit Elisha, without stating the object of her visit, and asked for the necessary riding-animal and escort. The nearest part of Carmel was at least fourteen or fifteen miles from Shunem, so that she could not walk, That I may run — i.e; hasten— to the man of God. "Man of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 4:23

And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him today? it is neither new moon nor sabbath. The husband demurred; he saw no occasion for the journey. It was not either "new moon" or "sabbath"—times when evidently the prophets conducted services, which were attended by pious persons from the neighborhood: what could she want of Elisha? He had evidently no idea that the child was dead. Probably he had not realized to himself that he was in any danger. And she said, It shall be well. She uttered... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 4:19

The child’s malady was a sunstroke. The inhabitants of Palestine suffered from this (Psalms 121:6; Isaiah 49:10; Judith 8:3). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 4:22

Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men and one of the asses - All the “young men” and all the “asses” were in the harvest field, the young men cutting and binding the sheaves, and placing them upon carts or wains, the donkeys drawing these vehicles fully laden, to the threshing-floor. Compare Amos 2:13. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 4:23

Her husband did not connect the illness with his wife’s demand, but thought she wished to attend one of the prophet’s devotional services. It is evident that such services were now held with something like regularity on Carmel for the benefit of the faithfull in those parts.New moon - By the Law the first day of each month was to be kept holy. Offerings were appointed for such occasions Numbers 28:11-15, and they were among the days on which the silver trumpets were to be blown Numbers 10:10;... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 4:18-21

2 Kings 4:18-21. He went out to his father to the reapers Either for pleasure, or with some message to him. He said to his father, My head, my head! A more than common heat of the sun probably made him thus ill. The hand of Providence, however, was in the affliction, that occasion might be given to the prophet of working a wonderful miracle for the manifestation of the glory of God, like that which Elijah had wrought for the widow of Zarephath. He sat on her knees till noon, and then... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 4:22-23

2 Kings 4:22-23. She called to her husband, and said By a messenger whom she sent into the field to him. She seems not to have acquainted him with the child’s death; probably she feared, if he knew on what errand she wished to go to the prophet, lest he should not have faith enough to let her go. Wherefore wilt thou go to-day? it is neither new moon nor sabbath It appears by this that the prophets acted as public instructers of the people; and that their houses were a kind of schools, or... 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

Group of Brands