2 Kings Chapter 4

God Works Miracles Through Elisha

A. Miracles Connected With a Widow and a Barren Woman.

1. Provision for a Widow (2 Kings 4:1–7)

Full Passage (KJV):

“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.
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.
Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
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.
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.
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.
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.”

a. “The creditor is come to take my two sons to be bondmen.”

The widow, whose husband had been a faithful servant among the sons of the prophets, faced a crisis rooted in both poverty and ancient Near Eastern law. Under the Mosaic provisions, a creditor was legally permitted to seize the debtor and his children until the Year of Jubilee to work off the debt. What feels harsh to the modern reader was, in that time, fully within legal bounds. Her despair was real, and her appeal to Elisha shows both her respect for God’s prophet and her belief that the Lord cared about her situation.

b. “Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.”

This “pot of oil” was not a large supply used for cooking, but most likely a small anointing flask, the kind used for personal consecration or ceremonial use. It was the only asset she had left. God often begins His miracles with what we already possess, even when what we possess appears to be insignificant.

c. “Go, borrow thee vessels… borrow not a few.”

Elisha’s instruction demanded public faith. Borrowing empty vessels from neighbors would naturally raise questions, yet obedience required her to ignore the embarrassment and trust the word of God’s prophet. Her faith was shown not in merely believing God could act, but in acting as though He would. Her willingness to gather many vessels demonstrated the measure of her expectation.

d. “Shut the door… and pour out into all those vessels.”

The miracle occurred privately, behind a closed door, reinforcing the truth that God’s power does not require an audience. As she poured from the single small flask, the oil continued to flow, supernatural and unending, until every borrowed vessel was filled. The miracle demanded active participation. She had to keep pouring, trusting God with each movement of her hand. The fact that the original flask was small highlights the miracle even more, because it required constant refilling from God’s invisible supply.

The vessels had to be empty, for only emptiness can be filled. Spiritually, those who come to God full of self are not positioned to receive grace. A full Christ is for empty sinners, and God fills only what is willingly presented before Him.

e. “The oil stayed.”

The oil stopped flowing precisely when there were no more empty vessels. The provision matched the measure of her preparation. Had she gathered more, God would have filled more. Had she gathered fewer, the miracle would have been smaller. Human obedience did not create the blessing, but it determined the capacity to receive it. God’s supernatural power works in harmony with faithful human action, never encouraging laziness or passivity.

Elisha instructed her to sell the oil, pay the debt, and live on the remainder, showing that God does not merely rescue His people from immediate crisis but provides ongoing stability. This account also demonstrates the Lord’s concern for the families of His servants and sets an example that the people of God should support widows and children of those who have served faithfully.

2. A Son for a Barren Woman (2 Kings 4:8–17)

Full Passage (KJV)

“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.
And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
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.
And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
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.
And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
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.
And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.”

a. “A great woman… and she constrained him to eat bread.”

The Shunammite woman was described as “great,” indicating both wealth and influence, yet her spiritual discernment and hospitality set her apart more than her social standing. She recognized Elisha as a man of God and took the initiative to provide for him. Elisha did not request anything from her, nor did he leverage his prophetic authority. Instead, her generosity was voluntary and persistent. She persuaded him repeatedly to come and eat when passing through Shunem, showing genuine reverence for God’s servant and a heart inclined toward godly hospitality.

b. “Let us make a little chamber… on the wall.”

Her generosity deepened into thoughtful, sacrificial hospitality. With her husband’s agreement, she built a small upper room for Elisha, complete with a bed, a table, a stool, and a lampstand. This was not a token gesture but a substantial investment of time, labor, and resources. It was a private refuge for the prophet, demonstrating that she valued spiritual ministry enough to accommodate it at cost to herself. There is no indication she expected anything in return, revealing a purity of motive. She simply wished to honor the man of God and support the work of God.

c. “About this season… thou shalt embrace a son.”

When Elisha sought to repay her kindness with some earthly benefit, such as influence with the king or military authorities, she declined. Her words, “I dwell among mine own people,” reveal contentment and security. Gehazi discerned what she lacked. She had no child, and her husband was old. Elisha, moved by divine revelation, promised her a son within the next year. To a barren woman this was a staggering promise. Barrenness in that culture carried deep emotional pain and social reproach. Her response, “Do not lie unto thine handmaid,” shows the vulnerability of hope long deferred. She was afraid to embrace a promise that touched the deepest wound of her life.

d. “The woman conceived, and bare a son… according to the time of life.”

The promise was fulfilled exactly as spoken. The God whom she honored with generosity now honored her with a miracle no earthly power could grant. Her blessing exceeded anything she had provided to Elisha materially. God rewarded her spiritual perception, her servant’s heart, and her sincere honor for His prophet. This is a reminder that when God chooses to bless, He often does so in ways that reach into the innermost desires and griefs of the human heart, providing not merely relief but joy overflowing.

3. The Shunammite Woman’s Son Is Raised from the Dead (2 Kings 4:18–37)

Full Passage (KJV)

“And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.
And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.
And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.
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.
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.
Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.
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:
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.
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.
Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?
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.
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.
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.
And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.
He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord.
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.
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.
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.
Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.”

a. “He sat on her knees till noon, and then died.”

The son God had miraculously granted to this woman now died suddenly after crying out in pain, most likely from a heat-related condition such as sunstroke during the harvest. His father sent him to his mother, and the boy died while resting in her lap. This is the tragedy at the heart of the chapter. The very child who removed the mother’s reproach is now taken from her, and the shock underscores how fragile life was in the ancient world. Nothing in the text suggests she blamed God, Elisha, or her husband. Her response reveals faith that refuses to collapse even when confronted with devastating loss.

b. “She went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God.”

Her first action shows remarkable faith. Instead of preparing him for burial, she laid him in Elisha’s room, the room built by her generosity. She closed the door, leaving him in the prophet’s chamber as if expecting God to restore the very life He had given. She had undoubtedly heard of Elijah raising the widow’s son at Zarephath and believed the God who gave the child could give him back. This was not denial but faith, a refusal to resign herself to death without seeking God’s intervention.

c. “It shall be well.”

She requested transportation to Elisha immediately, bypassing explanations to her husband and giving the calm reply, “It shall be well.” She did not want Gehazi’s mediation. She answered him with the same phrase, not because everything was well in the natural sense but because she refused to place her grief in the hands of one who did not understand it. She wanted Elisha himself, the man she knew God used. Grief shuts down under cold or prying intrusion, and Gehazi lacked the tenderness required at such a moment. She needed the prophet who had spoken God’s promise to her.

d. “Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her.”

When she reached Elisha, she clung to his feet, showing desperation and trust. Elisha recognized her deep distress and admitted that the Lord had not revealed the situation to him. This humility in the prophet is striking. He was more surprised that God had not revealed the crisis than he would have been if God had revealed it. His acknowledgement demonstrates healthy spiritual restraint, a refusal to pretend to know what God has not shown. She cried out, reminding him that she never asked for a son, and that her fear of disappointment had been real from the beginning.

e. “Lay my staff upon the face of the child.”

Elisha sent Gehazi with his staff rather than go immediately himself. This fit the pattern of encouraging others to participate in acts of faith, just as the kings dug ditches and the widow gathered vessels. Yet the Shunammite woman refused to leave Elisha. She believed that the power of God’s promise was tied to the prophet’s presence, not merely to his staff. Gehazi obeyed, but the staff produced no result. This does not imply failure in God but reveals that faith cannot be delegated. God was drawing this woman and Elisha into a deeper engagement of prayer and dependence.

f. “He… shut the door… and prayed unto the Lord.”

Elisha entered the room where the child lay and shut the door, just as he had instructed the widow earlier. Miracles often occur in private places where faith is exercised without display. He prayed earnestly, following the pattern of Elijah before him. He stretched himself upon the child, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands, symbolizing complete identification. God could have revived the child in an instant, yet here He chose to work gradually. The flesh became warm, then after further prayer and persistence the child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. The process underscored that life came from God alone, yet through the means of fervent intercession.

Elisha’s approach contrasts sharply with the ministry of Jesus. Elijah and Elisha pleaded with God to give life. Jesus, by His own authority, commanded the dead to rise. The prophets prayed; Christ spoke as the Lord of life. Yet both reveal God’s heart toward suffering parents and His power over death.

g. “The child sneezed seven times… and opened his eyes.”

The revival of the boy was complete, unmistakable, and life-restoring. The seven sneezes signify fullness or completeness, marking the final removal of death. When the woman was summoned, she fell at Elisha’s feet in worshipful gratitude before taking up her living son. God had honored her faith, restored her joy, and answered the deepest grief of her heart. Her blessing was not merely the return of her son but confirmation that the God she trusted never fails those who seek Him.

B. Miracles Connected With the Provision of Food

1. The Purification of the Stew (2 Kings 4:38–41)

Full Passage (KJV)

“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.
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.
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.
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.”

a. “There was a dearth in the land.”

Elisha returned to Gilgal during a time of famine. This scarcity may correspond to the seven-year famine mentioned later in the narrative of the Shunammite woman, showing that Israel was again experiencing covenant discipline. Even during seasons of want, the sons of the prophets continued their training under Elisha, demonstrating commitment to God’s word despite harsh conditions. Their reliance on simple communal meals shows the humble circumstances of those who served the Lord in a land turning increasingly toward idolatry.

b. “O thou man of God, there is death in the pot.”

The young prophet who gathered ingredients found a wild vine and unknowingly added poisonous gourds to the stew. Ancient travelers and locals around the Dead Sea still identified this plant, often called the wild cucumber or colocynth. Its pulp dries quickly into a harsh medicinal powder, bitter and dangerous when consumed in quantity. The sons of the prophets immediately recognized something was wrong and cried out to Elisha. Because Elisha had directed the preparation of the meal, he felt responsibility for the crisis, stepping in to provide help. This moment illustrates how easily error can be introduced even with sincere intentions. Poison was mixed so thoroughly into the pot that human effort alone could never remove it.

c. “And there was no harm in the pot.”

Elisha called for meal, or flour, not because flour has any natural ability to neutralize poison, but because God chose to use it as the vehicle for a miracle. When Elisha cast the flour into the pot, the deadly mixture was transformed and made safe by the power of God. The solution was not found in trying to remove the harmful elements one by one, because they were too deeply blended to isolate. Instead, God added something wholesome, and by divine action the corruption was overcome. This illustrates a spiritual principle: poisonous doctrines and worldly influences often enter subtly and cannot simply be extracted by human effort. The answer is to add truth, sound doctrine, and the pure teaching of the gospel. God uses the wholesome substance of His word to counteract and nullify the destructive influences that would otherwise bring death.

2. The Multiplication of Loaves (2 Kings 4:42–44)

Full Passage (KJV)

“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.
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.
So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the Lord.”

a. “Bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley bread.”

A man from Baal-shalisha came bringing an offering normally reserved for God and the Levitical priesthood, namely the barley loaves of the firstfruits and newly ripened grain. Because the Northern Kingdom had abandoned the true worship of the Lord and its priesthood had become corrupt, this faithful man brought his offering instead to Elisha, whom he recognized as the true representative of godly religion in Israel. The offering was small in human estimation, especially when compared to the number of men who needed food, yet it was an act of devotion in a land immersed in idolatry. God honors those who seek spiritual integrity in times when others turn from Him.

b. “Give it to the people, that they may eat.”

Elisha commanded his servant to distribute the twenty loaves to one hundred men, a number far exceeding what the loaves could naturally satisfy. This action clearly anticipates the miracle of Jesus feeding the multitudes, where small offerings became sufficient through divine intervention. Elisha acted in faith rather than calculation, trusting that God’s power was not limited by visible supply. The servant, thinking purely in practical terms, questioned the command, yet Elisha repeated it with confidence in the Lord’s provision. This moment highlights that God repeatedly reveals His sufficiency through human insufficiency and that faith obeys even when circumstances appear unreasonable.

c. “For thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.”

Elisha grounded his command not in optimism or presumption but in a direct promise from God. The Lord declared that the men would eat and have leftovers. God delights not only in supplying what is necessary but in demonstrating abundance that reflects His generous nature. The servant obeyed, set the loaves before the men, and witnessed God multiply the provision just as He had said. They ate and still had food remaining, proving that God’s word is never scarce, never insufficient, and never hindered by visible limitation. Those who trust Him discover that He does more than meet the need; He surpasses it.