2 Kings 4:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 4:16

Do not lie - Compare a similar incredulity in Genesis 17:17; Genesis 18:12; Luke 1:20. The expression, “do not lie,” which is harsh to us, accords with the plain, straightforward simplicity of ancient speech. It would not mean more than “deceive” (compare the marginal reference). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 4:16-17

2 Kings 4:16-17. About this season, according to the time of life About this time next year; see on Genesis 18:10; thou shall embrace a son She had received this prophet in the name of a prophet, and now she receives, not a courtier’s reward, in being spoken for to the king, but a prophet’s reward, a signal mercy, given in answer to a prophet’s prayer. Nay, my lord, do not lie unto thy handmaid Do not delude me with vain hopes. She could not believe it for joy. The woman bare a son... 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

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 4:16

(16) About this season.—At this set time.According to the time of life.—Rather, at the reviving time—i.e., next spring; or, when the time revives—i.e., in the following year: a phrase occurring in Genesis 18:10; Genesis 18:15. Böttcher renders, “when the year has revolved,” assuming the ground meaning of the term “life” to be something joined in a circle.Thou shalt embrace.—Thou art about to embrace.Do not lie—i.e., raise no delusive hopes. (Comp. Isaiah 58:11.) We can imagine the emotion with... 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

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

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