King James Version
2 Kings 4
44 verses with commentary
The Widow's Oil
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**IV.
IV.—VIII. THE WONDROUS WORKS OF ELISHA THE PROPHET.**
(1-7) He multiplies the widow’s oil. (Comp. 1Kings 17:12 *seq*.)
(1) **Of the wives of the sons of the prophets.**—This shows that “the sons of the prophets” were not young unmarried men leading a kind of monastic life under the control of their prophetic chief. Those who were heads of families must have had their own separate homes. (See...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 16
1Ki 16:1-8. Jehu's Prophecy against Baasha.
**1. Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu--**This is the only incident recorded in the life of this prophet. His father was also a prophet (2Ch 16:7).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 4
Chapter Outline
Elisha multiplies the widow's oil.(1-7)
The Shunammite obtains a son.(8-17)
The Shunammite's son restored to life.(18-37)
The miracle of healing the pottage, and of feeding the sons of the prophets.(38-44)
**Verses 1-7**
Elisha's miracles were acts of real charity: Christ's were so; not only great wonders, but great favours to those for whom they...
Read full commentary →And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **What hast thou?**—The form of the pronoun here, and in 2Kings 4:3; 2Kings 4:7; 2Kings 4:16; 2Kings 4:23 *infra*, is peculiar, and points, as the present writer believes, to the northern origin of the narrative, rather than to later composition.
**A pot of oil.**—Usually explained, *vas unguentarium*, an “oil-flask.” Keil says that *’āsûk* rather denotes “anointing,” *unctio*, and *’āsûk shèm...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. Forasmuch as I exalted thee--**The doom he pronounced on Baasha was exactly the same as denounced against Jeroboam and his posterity. Though he had waded through slaughter to his throne, he owed his elevation to the appointment or permission of Him "by whom kings reign."
**over my people Israel--**With all their errors and lapses into idolatry, they were not wholly abandoned by God. He stil...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 4
Chapter Outline
Elisha multiplies the widow's oil.(1-7)
The Shunammite obtains a son.(8-17)
The Shunammite's son restored to life.(18-37)
The miracle of healing the pottage, and of feeding the sons of the prophets.(38-44)
**Verses 1-7**
Elisha's miracles were acts of real charity: Christ's were so; not only great wonders, but great favours to those for whom they...
Read full commentary →Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. borrow not: or, scant not
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah str...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Abroad.**—Literally, *from the outside* (of the house); out of doors.
**Borrow not a few.**—See margin. *Do not scant*, or *stint*, namely, to borrow.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 4
Chapter Outline
Elisha multiplies the widow's oil.(1-7)
The Shunammite obtains a son.(8-17)
The Shunammite's son restored to life.(18-37)
The miracle of healing the pottage, and of feeding the sons of the prophets.(38-44)
**Verses 1-7**
Elisha's miracles were acts of real charity: Christ's were so; not only great wonders, but great favours to those for whom they...
Read full commentary →And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and p...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **And when . . . thou shalt shut.**—And go in and shut the door. The object was to avoid disturbance from without; perhaps, also, because publicity was undesirable in the case of such a miracle. (Comp. our Lord’s injunction of secrecy on those whom He healed, and His exclusion of the people, in Luke 8:51; Luke 8:54.)
**Thou shalt set aside.**—By the help of thy sons (2Kings 4:5-6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 4
Chapter Outline
Elisha multiplies the widow's oil.(1-7)
The Shunammite obtains a son.(8-17)
The Shunammite's son restored to life.(18-37)
The miracle of healing the pottage, and of feeding the sons of the prophets.(38-44)
**Verses 1-7**
Elisha's miracles were acts of real charity: Christ's were so; not only great wonders, but great favours to those for whom they...
Read full commentary →So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **From him.**—*Mē’ittô*, the correct form. (Comp. 2Kings 3:11.)
**Who brought . . . poured out.**—There should be a semicolon at “sons.” The rest is literally, *They were bringing to her, and she was pouring continually* (*mĕyaççèqeth*, only here). She did not leave her pouring. The story is evidently abridged in this verse.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 4
Chapter Outline
Elisha multiplies the widow's oil.(1-7)
The Shunammite obtains a son.(8-17)
The Shunammite's son restored to life.(18-37)
The miracle of healing the pottage, and of feeding the sons of the prophets.(38-44)
**Verses 1-7**
Elisha's miracles were acts of real charity: Christ's were so; not only great wonders, but great favours to those for whom they...
Read full commentary →And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Her son.**—Probably the eldest. The LXX. has plural here and in the verb that follows.
**Stayed.**—Heb., *stood*—*i.e.*, halted, stopped. (Comp. Luke 8:44, ἡ ῥύσις ἔστη.) Bähr makes the word mean *continued*—*i.e.*, to flow (!).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 4
Chapter Outline
Elisha multiplies the widow's oil.(1-7)
The Shunammite obtains a son.(8-17)
The Shunammite's son restored to life.(18-37)
The miracle of healing the pottage, and of feeding the sons of the prophets.(38-44)
**Verses 1-7**
Elisha's miracles were acts of real charity: Christ's were so; not only great wonders, but great favours to those for whom they...
Read full commentary →Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. debt: or, creditor
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic minis...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Then she came.**—*And she went in.*
**He said.**—**LXX**., “Elisha said.”
**Thy debt**.—Right. Margin incorrect.
**And live thou and thy children.**—Heb., *and thou—thy sons—thou mayest live*. Clearly “and” has fallen out before the second word. Many MSS. and all the versions have it.
**Thou.**—’*Attî*, an archaism, perhaps retained in the dialect of northern Israel (1Kings 14:2).
**Of the r...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**7. also by the hand of the prophet Jehu--**This is not another prophecy, but merely an addition by the sacred historian, explanatory of the death of Baasha and the extinction of his family. The doom pronounced against Jeroboam (1Ki 14:9), did not entitle him to take the execution of the sentence into his own hands; but from his following the same calf-worship, he had evidently plotted the conspi...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 4
Chapter Outline
Elisha multiplies the widow's oil.(1-7)
The Shunammite obtains a son.(8-17)
The Shunammite's son restored to life.(18-37)
The miracle of healing the pottage, and of feeding the sons of the prophets.(38-44)
**Verses 1-7**
Elisha's miracles were acts of real charity: Christ's were so; not only great wonders, but great favours to those for whom they...
Read full commentary →The Shunammite Woman's Son
And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. it fell on a day: Heb. there was a day constrained him: Heb. laid hold on him
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement,...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **And it fell on a day.**—Rather, *And it came to pass at that time.* Literally, *during that day*, referring to the period of the miracle just related. Perhaps, too, the contrast of the poor and rich woman is intentional.
**Passed.**—*Crossed over—scil*., the plain of Jezreel, which he would have to do, whether he went from Samaria, or from Carmel to Shunem, which lay on the slope of Little H...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. began Elah the son of Baasha to reign--**(compare 1Ki 15:33). From this it will appear that Baasha died in the twenty-third year of his reign (see on 1Ki 15:2), and Elah, who was a prince of dissolute habits, reigned not fully two years.
1Ki 16:9-22. Zimri's Conspiracy.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his late services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving others, as in raising himself. But the Shunammite needed not any good offices of this kind. It is a happiness to dwell among our own people, that love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. It would be well with many, if they did but know when the...
Read full commentary →And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served a...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **An holy man of God.**—The term “holy” is not a merely ornamental or conventional epithet of the “man of God” (*i.e.*, prophet) as such, but denotes the special moral elevation of Elisha.
**Continually.**—At stated intervals, regularly.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9-12. Zimri ... conspired against him--**"Arza which was over his house." During a carousal in the house of his chamberlain, Zimri slew him, and having seized the sovereignty, endeavored to consolidate his throne by the massacre of all the royal race.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his late services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving others, as in raising himself. But the Shunammite needed not any good offices of this kind. It is a happiness to dwell among our own people, that love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. It would be well with many, if they did but know when the...
Read full commentary →Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10*)* **A little chamber . . . on the wall.**—Rather, *a little upper chamber* (‘*alîyāh*) *with walls*—*i.e.*, a chamber on the roof of the house, walled on each side as a protection against the weather. (Comp. 1Kings 17:19.) Here the prophet would be secure from all interruption or intrusion on his privacy, and so would be likely to honour the house longer with his presence.
**A bed.**—The four...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9-12. Zimri ... conspired against him--**"Arza which was over his house." During a carousal in the house of his chamberlain, Zimri slew him, and having seized the sovereignty, endeavored to consolidate his throne by the massacre of all the royal race.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his late services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving others, as in raising himself. But the Shunammite needed not any good offices of this kind. It is a happiness to dwell among our own people, that love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. It would be well with many, if they did but know when the...
Read full commentary →And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with per...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **And it fell on a day.**—See Note on 2Kings 4:8.
**Chamber.***—Upper chamber.*
**Lay**—*i.e.*, lay down to rest.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9-12. Zimri ... conspired against him--**"Arza which was over his house." During a carousal in the house of his chamberlain, Zimri slew him, and having seized the sovereignty, endeavored to consolidate his throne by the massacre of all the royal race.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his late services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving others, as in raising himself. But the Shunammite needed not any good offices of this kind. It is a happiness to dwell among our own people, that love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. It would be well with many, if they did but know when the...
Read full commentary →And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah st...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Gehazi his servant**.—First mentioned here. His name means “valley of vision,” and is perhaps derived from his native place, which may have got its name from being a haunt of prophets.
**His servant.**—*His young man* (Genesis 22:3).
**She stood before him**—*i.e.*, before Gehazi. The sentence, “And when he had called her, she stood before him,” is an anticipation of the result, and might b...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9-12. Zimri ... conspired against him--**"Arza which was over his house." During a carousal in the house of his chamberlain, Zimri slew him, and having seized the sovereignty, endeavored to consolidate his throne by the massacre of all the royal race.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his late services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving others, as in raising himself. But the Shunammite needed not any good offices of this kind. It is a happiness to dwell among our own people, that love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. It would be well with many, if they did but know when the...
Read full commentary →And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The reference to kingsh...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **And he said unto him**—*i.e.*, Elisha, as he lay on the bed (2Kings 4:11), had charged Gehazi to say this when he called their hostess. It is hardly likely that Elisha communicated with her through his servant in order to save his own dignity. He may have thought she would express her wishes more freely to Gehazi than to himself.
**Thou hast been careful . . . with all this care.**—Literall...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his late services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving others, as in raising himself. But the Shunammite needed not any good offices of this kind. It is a happiness to dwell among our own people, that love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. It would be well with many, if they did but know when the...
Read full commentary →And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel an...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **And he said**—*i.e.*, when Gehazi had reported the woman’s reply.
**She hath no child.**—Which was at once a misfortune and a reproach. (Comp. Genesis 30:23; 1Samuel 1:6-7; Luke 1:25; Deuteronomy 7:13-14; Psalm 128:3-4.)
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his late services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving others, as in raising himself. But the Shunammite needed not any good offices of this kind. It is a happiness to dwell among our own people, that love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. It would be well with many, if they did but know when the...
Read full commentary →And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry,...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **Call her.**—The Shunammite is now summoned into the presence of the prophet himself.
**She stood.**—Or, *took her stand.* Modesty, or reverence for Elisha, prevented her from going farther.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15-18. did Zimri reign seven days--**The news of his conspiracy soon spread, and the army having proclaimed their general, Omri, king, that officer immediately raised the siege at Gibbethon and marched directly against the capital in which the usurper had established himself. Zimri soon saw that he was not in circumstances to hold out against all the forces of the kingdom; so, shutting himself u...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his late services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving others, as in raising himself. But the Shunammite needed not any good offices of this kind. It is a happiness to dwell among our own people, that love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. It would be well with many, if they did but know when the...
Read full commentary →And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. season: Heb. set time
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over hist...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(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.**...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15-18. did Zimri reign seven days--**The news of his conspiracy soon spread, and the army having proclaimed their general, Omri, king, that officer immediately raised the siege at Gibbethon and marched directly against the capital in which the usurper had established himself. Zimri soon saw that he was not in circumstances to hold out against all the forces of the kingdom; so, shutting himself u...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his late services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving others, as in raising himself. But the Shunammite needed not any good offices of this kind. It is a happiness to dwell among our own people, that love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. It would be well with many, if they did but know when the...
Read full commentary →And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel an...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **And the woman conceived.**—Comp. with this verse Genesis 21:2.
**Said.**—*Promised.*
**According to the time of life.**—See Note on 2Kings 4:16.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15-18. did Zimri reign seven days--**The news of his conspiracy soon spread, and the army having proclaimed their general, Omri, king, that officer immediately raised the siege at Gibbethon and marched directly against the capital in which the usurper had established himself. Zimri soon saw that he was not in circumstances to hold out against all the forces of the kingdom; so, shutting himself u...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-17**
Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his late services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving others, as in raising himself. But the Shunammite needed not any good offices of this kind. It is a happiness to dwell among our own people, that love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. It would be well with many, if they did but know when the...
Read full commentary →And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **It fell on a day.**—See Note on 2Kings 4:8.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15-18. did Zimri reign seven days--**The news of his conspiracy soon spread, and the army having proclaimed their general, Omri, king, that officer immediately raised the siege at Gibbethon and marched directly against the capital in which the usurper had established himself. Zimri soon saw that he was not in circumstances to hold out against all the forces of the kingdom; so, shutting himself u...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **My head, my head.**—The boy had a sunstroke. It was the hot season of harvest, and his head was probably uncovered.
**A lad.**—*Rather, the young man.* The servant waiting on him.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19. For his sins which he sinned--**This violent end was a just retribution for his crimes. "His walking in the ways of Jeroboam" might have been manifested either by the previous course of his life, or by his decrees published on his ascension, when he made a strong effort to gain popularity by announcing his continued support of the calf worship.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah strug...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **Taken***.*—*Carried.*
**Brought him.**—*Brought him in*—*i.e.,* in-doors.
**Till noon.**—We gather from this that the boy was hurt in the forenoon.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary me...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **Laid him on the bed of the man of God.**—She wished to keep the death secret, and the corpse inviolate, during her intended absence.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**21-22. Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts--**The factions that ensued occasioned a four years' duration (compare 1Ki 16:15 with 1Ki 16:23), of anarchy or civil war. Whatever might be the public opinion of Omri's merits a large body of the people disapproved of the mode of his election, and declared for Tibni. The army, however, as usual in such circumstances (and they had the ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(22) **One of the young men.**—To lead and drive the ass.
**Asses.**—*She-asses.*
**That I may run.**—Notice the striking *naturalness* of the language, in which she promises to be back soon.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**21-22. Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts--**The factions that ensued occasioned a four years' duration (compare 1Ki 16:15 with 1Ki 16:23), of anarchy or civil war. Whatever might be the public opinion of Omri's merits a large body of the people disapproved of the mode of his election, and declared for Tibni. The army, however, as usual in such circumstances (and they had the ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. well: Heb. peace
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **Wiltt thou go.**—*Art thou going*. Archaic forms of the pronoun and participle are here used.
**It is neither new moon, nor sabbath.**—Comp. Amos 8:5. This remark is interesting, because it implies that the faithful in the northern kingdom were wont to visit prophets on these holy days for the sake of religious instruction and edification. Thenius suggests a doubt whether the later practice...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**23. In the thirty and first year of Asa ... began Omri to reign--**The twelve years of his reign are computed from the beginning of his reign, which was in the twenty-seventh year of Asa's reign. He held a contested reign for four years with Tibni; and then, at the date stated in this verse, entered on a sole and peaceful reign of eight years.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. slack: Heb. restrain not for me to ride
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israe...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(24) **Then she saddled an ass.**—*And she saddled the ass*—*i.e.*, which the young man brought, and probably saddled at her bidding.
**Slack not thy riding for me.**—Literally, *restrain me not from riding*—*i.e.*, do not stop, or slacken speed. A halt for rest might naturally be taken, as the distance was considerable.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**24. he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer--**The palace of Tirzah being in ruins, Omri, in selecting the site of his royal residence, was naturally influenced by considerations both of pleasure and advantage. In the center of a wide amphitheatre of mountains, about six miles from Shechem, rises an oblong hill with steep, yet accessible sides, and a long flat top extending east and west, and risin...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sover...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(25) **To mount Carmel.**—Elisha, then, must have dwelt there at least occasionally. (Comp. 2Kings 4:9.) Carmel probably served as a fixed centre of prophetic teaching for the north, as Gilgal, Beth-el, and Jericho for the south. (Comp. also Elisha’s sacrifice there, 1Kings 18:31 *seq*.)
**Afar off.**—The same word (*minnèged*) as to *view* (chap 2Kings 2:7; 2Kings 2:15).
**Shunammite.**—Syriac, *...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**25-27. But Omri wrought evil--**The character of Omri's reign and his death are described in the stereotyped form used towards all the successors of Jeroboam in respect both to policy as well as time.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(26) **Run now, I pray thee, to meet her.**—This perhaps indicates the respect in which Elisha held the Shunammitess. But it may denote surprise and apprehension at an *unusual* visit. Hence the inquiries about each member of the family.
**It is well.**—She said this merely to avoid further explanation. She would open her grief to the prophet’s own ear, and to none other.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**25-27. But Omri wrought evil--**The character of Omri's reign and his death are described in the stereotyped form used towards all the successors of Jeroboam in respect both to policy as well as time.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. him: Heb. by his feet vexed: Heb. bitter
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(27) **To the hill.**—Probably to the summit.
**She caught him by the feet.**—*She laid hold of* (clasped) *his feet*. Assuming the posture of an humble and urgent suppliant, and no doubt pouring out a flood of passionate entreaties for help.
**But** (*and*) **Gehazi came near to thrust her away.**—He thought her vehemence a trespass upon the dignity of his master. (Comp. Matthew 19:13; John 4:27....
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**25-27. But Omri wrought evil--**The character of Omri's reign and his death are described in the stereotyped form used towards all the successors of Jeroboam in respect both to policy as well as time.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent ido...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(28) **Then.**—*And*; so in 2Kings 4:29; 2Kings 4:35.
**Did I desire** (*ask*) **a son of my lord?**—Only the conclusion of her appeal is given. She says, Better to have had no son, than to have had one and lost him. The opposite of our poet’s
“‘Tis better to have loved and lost,
Than never to have loved at all.”
But this last is the fruit of reflection; *her* words are the spontaneous outflow of ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary mea...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(29) **If thou meet any man, salute him not.**—An injunction of utmost *haste*. (Comp. the similar words of our Saviour, Luke 10:4.) A short greeting might end in a long halt. “Orientals lose much time in tedious salutations” (*Keil*).
**Lay my staff upon the face of the child.**—It seems to be implied that if the mother had had faith this would have sufficed for raising the child. (Comp. 2Kings 2...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-33. Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him--**The worship of God by symbols had hitherto been the offensive form of apostasy in Israel, but now gross idolatry is openly patronized by the court. This was done through the influence of Jezebel, Ahab's queen. She was "the daughter of Eth-baal, king of the Zidonians." He was priest of Ashtaroth or Ast...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic mini...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(30) **I will not leave thee.**—She wished the prophet himself to go to her child. The writer appropriately substitutes “the mother of the child” for “the Shunammite” or “the woman” in connection with this impassioned utterance, which induced the prophet to yield to her wishes.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-33. Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him--**The worship of God by symbols had hitherto been the offensive form of apostasy in Israel, but now gross idolatry is openly patronized by the court. This was done through the influence of Jezebel, Ahab's queen. She was "the daughter of Eth-baal, king of the Zidonians." He was priest of Ashtaroth or Ast...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. hearing: Heb. attention
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(31) **There was neither voice, nor hearing.**—1Kings 18:29; see margin, and Isaiah 21:7.
**Wherefore he went again.**—*And he came back to meet him* (Elisha).
**The child is not awaked.**—*The* lad woke not.
The Rabbis explain Gehazi’s failure by assuming that he had disobeyed his master’s injunction by loitering on the way. This is contradicted by the narrative itself. He had acted with all desp...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-33. Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him--**The worship of God by symbols had hitherto been the offensive form of apostasy in Israel, but now gross idolatry is openly patronized by the court. This was done through the influence of Jezebel, Ahab's queen. She was "the daughter of Eth-baal, king of the Zidonians." He was priest of Ashtaroth or Ast...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with pe...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-33. Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him--**The worship of God by symbols had hitherto been the offensive form of apostasy in Israel, but now gross idolatry is openly patronized by the court. This was done through the influence of Jezebel, Ahab's queen. She was "the daughter of Eth-baal, king of the Zidonians." He was priest of Ashtaroth or Ast...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enf...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(33) **He went in therefore.**—Comp. the narrative of Elijah’s raising the widow’s son (1Kings 17:17-24), which is imitated in the present account.
**Them twain.**—Himself and the body.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-33. Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him--**The worship of God by symbols had hitherto been the offensive form of apostasy in Israel, but now gross idolatry is openly patronized by the court. This was done through the influence of Jezebel, Ahab's queen. She was "the daughter of Eth-baal, king of the Zidonians." He was priest of Ashtaroth or Ast...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of cov...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(34) **He went up.**—Upon the bed (2Kings 1:6).
**And lay upon the child.**—Comp. 1Kings 17:21. What is hinted at there is described here (*Thenius*).
**Stretched himself upon the child.**—*Bowed himself*. So LXX., Syriac, and Vulg. (Comp. 1Kings 18:42.) This expression summarises the preceding details.
**The flesh of the child waxed warm**.—The life of the Divine Spirit which was in Elisha was mi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**34. In his days did Hiel the Beth-elite build Jericho--**(see on Jos 6:26). The curse took effect on the family of this reckless man but whether his oldest son died at the time of laying the foundation, and the youngest at the completion of the work, or whether he lost all his sons in rapid succession, till, at the end of the undertaking, he found himself childless, the poetical form of the ban ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro ; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. to and fro: Heb. once hither and once thither
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and peopl...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(35) **He returned.**—From off the bed.
**Walked in the house to and fro.**—Or, in the *chamber*. Elisha’s walking to and fro is an index of intense excitement. He was earnestly expecting the fulfilment of his prayer. Cornelius à Lapide thinks the prophet walked “ut ambulando excitaret majorem calorem quem puero communicaret” (!)
**The child sneezed.**—The verb occurs here only. It denotes a *fain...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this p...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(36) **Take up thy son.**—So our Lord “delivered to his mother” the young man whom He raised from death by His word (Luke 7:15).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 17
1Ki 17:1-7. Elijah, Prophesying against Ahab, Is Sent to Cherith.
**1. Elijah the Tishbite--**This prophet is introduced as abruptly as Melchisedek--his birth, parents, and call to the prophetic office being alike unrecorded. He is supposed to be called the Tishbite from Tisbeh, a place east of Jordan.
**who was of the inhabitants of Gilead--**or residents of Gilead, implying that...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah s...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(37) **Then she went in**.—*And she came.*
**Bowed herself to the ground.**—In deep veneration for the prophet of Jehovah.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2-3. the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, &c.--**At first the king may have spurned the prediction as the utterance of a vain enthusiast; but when he found the drought did last and increase in severity, he sought Elijah, who, as it was necessary that he should be far removed from either the violence or the importunities of the king, was divinely...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 18-37**
Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he...
Read full commentary →Death in the Pot
And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the 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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the 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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(38-44) Elisha among the sons of the prophets at Gilgal during the famine.
(38) **And Elisha came again**.—*Now Elisha had returned*, commencing a new narrative. The word “return” refers to the prophet’s annual visit. (Comp. 2Kings 4:25, and 2Kings 2:1, Notes.) The story is not put in chronological sequence with the foregoing.
**And there was a dearth.**—And the famine was.
**The sons of the proph...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2-3. the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, &c.--**At first the king may have spurned the prediction as the utterance of a vain enthusiast; but when he found the drought did last and increase in severity, he sought Elijah, who, as it was necessary that he should be far removed from either the violence or the importunities of the king, was divinely...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 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 ou...
Read full commentary →And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a 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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a 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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, c...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(39) **Herbs.**—A rare word. (See Isaiah 26:19.) The Targum renders “greens.” The LXX. retains the Hebrew word; the Syriac and Arabic render “mallows.” Thenius thinks that αριωθ, the reading of the LXX., points to another word derived from a different root, and meaning “to pluck,” so that the word would denote *legumina*.
**A wild vine.**—Vulg., “quasi vitem silvestrem,” *i.e.*, a running plant, l...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 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 ou...
Read full commentary →So they poured out for the men 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. And they could not eat thereof.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So they poured out for the men 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. And they could not eat thereof.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Isr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(40) **There is death in the pot.**—The bitter taste, and perhaps incipient effect of the pottage, made them think of poison.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 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 ou...
Read full commentary →But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot. harm: Heb. evil thing
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulne...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(41) **Then bring meal.**—Keil says, “the meal was only the material basis for the spiritual activity which went out from Elisha, and made the poisonous food wholesome.” Thenius, however, supposes that “the meal softened the bitterness, and obviated the drastic effect.” But Reuss appears to be right in saying, “by mistake a poisonous (not merely a bitter) plant had been put into the pot, and the p...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. the ravens brought him bread--**The idea of such unclean and voracious birds being employed to feed the prophet has appeared to many so strange that they have labored to make out the Orebim, which in our version has been rendered "ravens," to be as the word is used (in Eze 27:27) "merchants"; or Arabians (2Ch 21:16; Ne 4:7); or, the citizens of Arabah, near Beth-shan (Jos 15:6; 18:18). But th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 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 ou...
Read full commentary →Feeding of a Hundred
And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. the husk: or, his scrip, or, garment
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationsh...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(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,” 1Samuel 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 ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 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 ou...
Read full commentary →And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovere...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(43) **Servitor.**—*Minister, or attendant.*
**What, should I set this before an hundred men?**—Or, *How am I to set?* &c. (Comp. Matthew 14:33.)
**He said again.—***And he said.*
**They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.**—Heb., *eating and leaving!* an exclamatory mode of speech, natural in hurried and vehement utterance.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-16. the word of the Lord came to him--**Zarephath, Sarepta, now Surafend, whither he was directed to go, was far away on the western coast of Palestine, about nine miles south of Sidon, and within the dominions of Jezebel's impious father, where the famine also prevailed. Meeting, at his entrance into the town, the very woman who was appointed by divine providence to support him, his faith was...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 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 ou...
Read full commentary →So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means o...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(44) **And they did eat, and left thereof.**—Comp. our Lord’s miracles, already referred to. Bähr denies any miraculous increase of the food. He makes the miracle consist in the fact that the one hundred men were satisfied with the little they received, and even had some to spare. Similarly, Thenius thinks that the provisions were not inconsiderable for a hundred men (?), and that the emphasis of ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-16. the word of the Lord came to him--**Zarephath, Sarepta, now Surafend, whither he was directed to go, was far away on the western coast of Palestine, about nine miles south of Sidon, and within the dominions of Jezebel's impious father, where the famine also prevailed. Meeting, at his entrance into the town, the very woman who was appointed by divine providence to support him, his faith was...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 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 ou...
Read full commentary →