4:39 And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a {t} wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred [them] into the pot of pottage: for they knew [them] not.(t) Which the apothecaries call colloquintida, and is most vehement and dangerous in purging. read more
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
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
The Bane and the Antidote 2Ki 4:38-44 There was rest in the days of the early ministry, as we may see the from thirty-eighth verse. A very beautiful picture is given in that verse, and yet a very ghastly one; the ghastliness being seen in the dearth or famine that was in the land, the seven years' dearth of which Elisha had prophesied; and the beauty of it is seen in the simplicity with which service was rendered to the prophet and the sons of the prophets: "Set on the great pot, and seethe... read more
This setting before the prophet, implies receiving instruction: probably expounding the scripture. Ezekiel 8:1 . read more
The poison in the food, spiritually explained, leads us to consider how cautious men should be, and especially the sons of the prophets, in consenting to anything but what the apostle calls wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. The pure faith of the gospel is the food of our souls, and there is death in the pot indeed, when anything be mixed with this, contrary to Jesus, as the sole cause of salvation. The wild gourds are like our wild works, all poisonous. But thou, O man... read more
Galgal, where he had been often before. --- Dwelt. Hebrew, "sat," like disciples attending to the instructions of their master, Acts xxii. 3. (Calmet) --- To one, &c. Hebrew and Septuagint, "to his servant," Giezi. (Menochius) --- Eliseus provided for the temporal as well as for the spiritual wants of his followers. (Haydock) --- The famine had been sent by God, to punish the idolatry of the people, chap. viii. 1. (Menochius) read more
Wild herbs. Hebrew oroth. Septuagint Greek: arioth, may denote any thing that could be "gathered." --- Gourds: colocynthides. They resembled cucumbers; but were so bitter, that they were styled, "the gall of the earth." Vallesius, (Phil. c. 36.) who observes, that a small quantity may cause death, (c. 37.) and that the remedy used by the prophet was supernatural; though Lemnius (c. 7.) asserts, that the mixture of barley-flour would take away the bitterness. (Tirinus) --- It has, in effect,... read more
38-44 There was a famine of bread, but not of hearing the word of God, for Elisha had the sons of the prophets sitting before him, to hear his wisdom. Elisha made hurtful food to become safe and wholesome. If a mess of pottage be all our dinner, remember that this great prophet had no better for himself and his guests. The table often becomes a snare, and that which should be for our welfare, proves a trap: this is a good reason why we should not feed ourselves without fear. When we are... read more
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Geneva Study Bible - 2 Kings 4:38
4:38 And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and [there was] a dearth in the {s} land; and the sons of the prophets [were] sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.(s) That is, in the land of Israel. read more