2 Reis 4:38-44 NVT

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 4:38-44

We have here Elisha in his place, in his element, among the sons of the prophets, teaching them, and, as a father, providing for them; and happy it was for them that they had one over them who naturally cared for their state, under whom they were well fed and well taught. There was a dearth in the land, for the wickedness of those that dwelt therein, the same that we read of, 2 Kgs. 8:1. It continued seven years, just as long again as that in Elijah's time. A famine of bread there was, but not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:38

And Elisha came again to Gilgal ,.... Where he was with Elijah a little before his assumption to heaven, 2 Kings 2:1 and whither he went, there being a school of the prophets, as he did to all places where there were any, and where he had been before with Elijah; partly to instruct, encourage, and strengthen them, and partly to confirm his office as a prophet by miracles, which he did in several places he came to: and there was a dearth in the land ; a famine through drought: and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:39

And one went out into the fields to gather herbs ,.... To put into the pottage, the gardens affording none in this time of dearth; or, however, being scarce, were at too great a price for the sons of the prophets to purchase them; and therefore one of them went out into the field to gather what common herbs he could: and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full ; thought to be the same with coloquintida, the leaves of which are very like to a vine, of a very... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:40

So they poured out for the men to eat ,.... When the pottage was boiled, they poured it out into dishes or basins, for the sons of the prophets to eat: and it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot ; poison, the cause of death; the pottage was so exceeding bitter, that they concluded there must be some poisonous herb in it; and coloquintida is so bitter, that it is called "the gall of the earth": ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:41

But he said, then bring meal: and he cast it into the pot ,.... And stirred it about in it: and he said, pour out for the people, that they may eat ; as they now might freely, and without any danger, as he intimated: and there was no harm in the pot ; or anything that could do any harm or mischief to the health of men: this was not owing to the natural virtue of meal, but to a miraculous power attending it, whereby the pottage was cured of its malignity, as the bad waters of Jericho... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:42

And there came a man from Baalshalisha ,.... Of which place See Gill on 1 Samuel 9:4 , the Targum is, from the south country: and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley ; so that it was now barley harvest, and this the first fruits of it, which, according to the law, Leviticus 23:10 , was to be brought to the priest; but being forbid in the land of Israel going up to Jerusalem, religious men brought their firstfruits to the prophets, and here to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:43

And his servitor said ,.... His servant Gehazi very probably: what, should I set this before one hundred men ? for so many, it seems, the sons of the prophets were in this place; and these loaves being very small, no more, it is thought by some, than one man could eat, and the ears of corn but few, the servant suggests they would be nothing comparatively to such a company of men: he said again, give the people, that they may eat ; he insisted upon it that his orders should be obeyed:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:44

So he set it before them ,.... The twenty barley loaves, and the full ears of corn: and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the Lord ; as the disciples did at the miracle of the loaves and fishes; though that must be allowed to be a greater miracle than this, Matthew 14:17 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:38

Came again to Gilgal - He had been there before with his master, a short time prior to his translation. Set on the great pot and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets - It was in a time of dearth, and all might now stand in need of refreshment; and it appears that the prophet was led to put forth the power he had from God to make a plentiful provision for those who were present. The father of the celebrated Dr. Young, author of the Night Thoughts,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:39

Wild gourds - This is generally thought to be the coloquintida, the fruit of a plant of the same name, about the size of a large orange. It is brought hither from the Levant, and is often known by the name of the bitter apple; both the seeds and pulp are intensely bitter, and violently purgative. It ranks among vegetable poisons, as all intense bitters do; but, judiciously employed, it is of considerable use in medicine. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 4:38-44

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:38

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:39

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:40

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:41

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:42

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:43

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:44

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:38

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:39

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