INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 4 This chapter treats of the miracles of Elisha, of his multiplying a poor widow's pot of oil for the payment of her husband's debts, 2 Kings 4:1 of obtaining a son for a Shunamitish woman, who had been very hospitable to him, 2 Kings 4:8, of his raising up her son to life w... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THERE CRIED A CERTAIN WOMAN OF THE WIVES OF THE SONS OF THE PROPHETS UNTO ELISHA,.... This, according to the Targum, was the wife of Obadiah, who had hid the prophets by fifty in a cave in the times of Ahab; and so Josephus q, and it is the commonly received notion of the Jewish writers; though... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ELISHA SAID UNTO HER, WHAT SHALL I DO FOR THEE?.... Or can I do, being poor himself, and unable to relieve her out of his substance, and not knowing where to get anything for her; and so what could she expect from him? signifying, that he pitied her case, but all that he could do was to give her... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE SAID, GO, BORROW THEE VESSELS ABROAD OF ALL THY NEIGHBOURS,.... For he perceived that she had none: EVEN EMPTY VESSELS; which they might more readily lend her: BORROW NOT A FEW; but as many as she could get; the prophet, under a divine impulse, was directed to say this to her, foreseeing,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THOU ART COME IN,.... Into her house: THOU SHALL SHUT THE DOOR UPON THEE, AND UPON THY SONS; that they might be alone in the house while the miracle was working; that they might not be interrupted in what they were to do, by the creditor coming in upon them, or by neighbours, who would be... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SHE WENT FROM HIM,.... And did as he advised her, borrowed many empty vessels of her neighbours, having faith in what the prophet had said to her: AND SHUT THE DOOR UPON HER, AND UPON HER SONS; and then went to work as she was directed, with her sons: WHO BROUGHT THE VESSELS TO HER; the empty o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT CAME TO PASS WHEN THE VESSELS WERE FULL,.... For the oil being miraculously increased as it was poured forth, there was enough to fill all the vessels; Ben Gersom and Abarbinel say, that when the pot was emptied, all the air that entered it was turned into oil: THAT SHE SAID TO HER SON, BRIN... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHE CAME AND TOLD THE MAN OF GOD,.... Elisha the prophet, what had been done, what a quantity of oil she had, and advised with him what was to be done with it: AND HE SAID, GO, SELL THY OIL, AND PAY THY DEBT; what was thus miraculously produced was no doubt very good and excellent, and would f... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT FELL ON A DAY,.... Or so it was at a certain time: THAT ELISHA PASSED TO SHUNEM; a city in the tribe of Issachar; of which see Joshua 19:18, WHERE WAS A GREAT WOMAN; of great wealth and riches, of great benevolence and hospitality, and of great grace and piety; that feared sin, as the Targu... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHE SAID UNTO HER HUSBAND,.... Not being willing to do any thing without his leave and consent: BEHOLD NOW, I PERCEIVE THAT THIS IS AN HOLY MAN OF GOD WHICH PASSETH BY US CONTINUALLY: and calls here frequently: this she perceived by his discourse and conversation; and by his carriage and behavi... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US MAKE A LITTLE CHAMBER, I PRAY THEE, ON THE WALL,.... Either of the city, to which their house might join, or of their garden, a little distance from the house; though the Jewish writers commonly understand it of a little edifice built up of walls of stone or bricks, and not one with reeds, or... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT FELL ON A DAY THAT HE CAME THITHER,.... As he had been wont to do: AND HE TURNED INTO THE CHAMBER; built for him, and to which he was directed: AND LAY THERE; all night, and which no doubt was frequently repeated by him, he accepting of the kindness of his host.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID TO GEHAZI HIS SERVANT,.... Who attended him wherever he went, and ministered to him, and lay very probably in the same chamber with him; he might be one of the sons of the prophets: CALL THIS SHUNAMMITE; tell her I desire to speak with her: AND WHEN HE HAD CALLED HER, SHE STOOD BEFORE... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID UNTO HIM,...., To Gehazi, before he went to call her: SAY NOW UNTO HER, BEHOLD, THOU HAST BEEN CAREFUL FOR US WITH ALL THIS CARE; in building a chamber, and furnishing it with proper household goods, and providing food for them from time to time: WHAT IS TO BE DONE FOR THEE? can anythi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID,.... That is, Elisha to Gehazi, when he returned to him, and told him what the Shunammite said: WHAT THEN IS TO BE DONE FOR HER? something he thought should be done in gratitude, the favours they had received, and advises with his servant what could be thought of, he being one about the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, CALL HER,.... Perhaps finding an impulse on his own mind, from the Spirit of God, that this was the thing to be done for her: AND WHEN HE HAD CALLED HER, SHE STOOD IN THE DOOR; of his chamber: 2 Kings 4:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, ABOUT THIS SEASON,.... In the next year: ACCORDING TO THE TIME OF LIFE; the usual time women go with child: THOU SHALT EMBRACE A SON; in thine arms, that shall be born of thee, which she should have in her lap, and in her bosom: AND SHE SAID, NAY, MY LORD, DO NOT LIE UNTO THINE HANDM... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE WOMAN CONCEIVED, AND BARE A SON AT THE SEASON THAT ELISHA SAID UNTO HER,.... Quickly after this she conceived, and became pregnant, and by that time the year came round, she was brought to bed of a son: ACCORDING TO THE TIME OF LIFE: when she had gone her full time to have a son born alive,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THE CHILD WAS GROWN,.... Perhaps was six or seven years of age, or more: IT FELL ON A DAY THAT HE WENT OUT TO HIS FATHER TO THE REAPERS; it was harvest time, and the men were reaping the corn in the fields; and his father, though a wealthy man, was with them to direct them, and see they di... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID UNTO HIS FATHER, MY HEAD, MY HEAD,.... After he had been some time with him, he complained of a pain in his head, which might be owing, as Abarbinel thinks, to the sun's beating upon it, being harvest time, and hot weather; and the pain being exceeding great and vehement, he repeated his... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD TAKEN HIM, AND BROUGHT HIM TO HIS MOTHER,.... The lad led him home, and delivered him to his mother: HE SAT ON HER KNEES TILL NOON, AND THEN DIED; out of her great affection, she took him on her knees, and laid his head in her bosom to sooth the pain, and in this posture he continue... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHE WENT UP,.... Into the little chamber built for the prophet: AND LAID HIM ON THE BED OF THE MAN OF GOD; not from any imagination of any virtue in it to bring her child to life; though she might think of the prophet, and have faith that he could raise it to life, as Elijah raised the widow of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHE CALLED UNTO HER HUSBAND,.... In the field, who might be within call, or by a messenger she sent to him: 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; intimating that she should not be long gone, but should retur... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, WHEREFORE WILT THOU GO TO HIM TODAY?.... What reason is there for it? what is the meaning of it? IT IS NEITHER NEW MOON NOR SABBATH; neither the first day of the month, nor the seventh day of the week, times which were religiously observed; so with the Heathens the new moon and the sev... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHE SADDLED AN ASS,.... Her servant did it by her order: AND SAID TO HER SERVANT, DRIVE, AND GO FORWARD; make all the haste he could: SLACK NOT THY RIDING FOR ME, EXCEPT I BID THEE; do not be afraid of riding too fast for me; if thou dost, I will tell thee; till then, keep on a good pace: Aba... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SHE WENT AND CAME UNTO THE MAN OF GOD AT MOUNT CARMEL,.... Where Elijah used to be, and where, perhaps, was a school of the prophets; this, according to Bunting x, was sixteen miles from Shunem: AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN THE MAN OF GOD SAW HER AFAR OFF; as he might from the eminence of the mount... [ Continue Reading ]
RUN NOW, I PRAY THEE, TO MEET HER,.... In respect to her, and to know the occasion of her coming; something is the cause of it: AND SAY UNTO HER, IS IT WELL WITH THEE? IS IT WELL WITH THY HUSBAND? IS IT WELL WITH THE CHILD? has any disaster befallen thee, thy husband, or the child? are all in good... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN SHE CAME TO THE MAN OF GOD TO THE HILL,.... To the top of it: SHE CAUGHT HIM BY THE FEET; in reverence to him, and as a supplicant, she prostrated herself at his feet, and, out of affection to him, caught hold on them, and held them fast, and determined not to leave him until he had promis... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHE SAID, DID I DESIRE A SON OF MY LORD?.... It was not at her request she had one, at least the first motion was not from her; the prophet first told her, and assured her she should have one, without her asking for it; she might be pleased with it, and desire the promise might be fulfilled; bu... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE SAID TO GEHAZI, GIRD UP THY LOINS,.... His loose and long garments about him, that he might make quicker dispatch in travelling: AND TAKE MY STAFF IN THINE HAND, AND GO THY WAY; not for the sake of travelling with it, but for an end after mentioned: IF THOU MEET ANY MAN, SALUTE HIM NOT; AN... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE MOTHER OF THE CHILD SAID,.... Having no faith in what the servant was to do, or could do: AS THE LORD LIVETH, AND AS THY SOUL LIVETH, I WILL NOT LEAVE THEE; signifying she would not go with his servant, but insisted upon it that he himself went with her, or she would not depart: AND HE ARO... [ Continue Reading ]
AND GEHAZI PASSED ON BEFORE THEM,.... The prophet and the Shunammite: AND LAID THE STAFF UPON THE FACE OF THE CHILD; as he was ordered: BUT THERE WAS NEITHER VOICE NOR HEARING: it seems as if he spoke when he laid the staff on the child, but it heard and answered him not, so that there was no sign... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN ELISHA WAS COME INTO THE HOUSE,.... Of the Shunamite, and into the chamber built for him: BEHOLD, THE CHILD WAS DEAD, AND LAID UPON THE BED; upon his bed, and where he found it really dead.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WENT IN THEREFORE, AND SHUT THE DOOR UPON THEM TWAIN,.... Himself and the dead child; that nobody might come in and interrupt him in his prayers for the restoration of it to life, nor see the motions and gestures he used, and the postures he put himself in: AND PRAYED UNTO THE LORD; that he woul... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE WENT UP,.... To the bed, which was on an ascent in the chamber, 2 Kings 1:4 and lay upon the child; as Elijah did on the widow's son of Zarephath, 1 Kings 17:21 AND PUT HIS MOUTH UPON HIS MOUTH, AND HIS EYES UPON HIS EYES, AND HIS HANDS UPON HIS HANDS, AND STRETCHED HIMSELF UPON THE CHILD; t... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE RETURNED AND WALKED IN THE HOUSE TO AND FRO,.... Left the chamber, and came down to the house where the family chiefly resided, and walked to and fro in deep thought and meditation, and, no doubt, in fervent ejaculations for the wished for blessing to be completed: AND WENT UP; to the chamb... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE CALLED GEHAZI, AND SAID, CALL THIS SHUNAMMITE,.... To come up to the chamber to him: SO HE CALLED HER: AND WHEN SHE WAS COME IN UNTO HIM, HE SAID, TAKE UP THY SON; from off the bed, alive, safe, and sound.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHE WENT IN, AND FELL AT HIS FEET, AND BOWED HERSELF TO THE GROUND,.... In reverence of him, and with the most profound gratitude and thankfulness for the mercy received: AND TOOK UP HER SON, AND WENT OUT; of the chamber into her house, with great joy and gladness.... [ Continue Reading ]
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 st... [ Continue Reading ]
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 commo... [ Continue Reading ]
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 ca... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE CAME A MAN FROM BAALSHALISHA,.... Of which place 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 2... [ Continue Reading ]
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, t... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]