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2 Kings 4

44 verses

TL;DR

Elisha’s miracles for a Shunammite woman illustrate God’s provision and mercy: she receives an overflow of oil, bears a son who later dies, and he is resurrected, while Elisha also turns a famine into abundance.

Summary

A widow in Shunem, desperate to avoid debt after her husband’s death, brings her only oil to Elisha who instructs her to borrow many vessels and fill them with oil that never stops. She sells the oil to pay her creditors, securing her family’s future. Elisha later meets her again and grants her a son. The boy grows up, then dies suddenly; Elisha resurrects him after praying and laying his hands upon him. Amidst a severe famine, Elisha feeds the sons of the prophets with a pot of stew and later, a miraculous supply of food from a stranger, showing that food can multiply when God is invoked.

Outline
  1. The Shunammite’s oil miracle and repayment of debt.
  2. Birth, death, and resurrection of her son.
  3. Elisha’s miracle of food during a famine.
Themes
Faith and divine provisionMercy and restorationThe power of prayer and prophecy
Keywords
faithoilShunamiteElishaGehaziresurrectionfamineprovisionmiracle
People
ElishaShunammite womanHer husbandHer sonsGehaziThe Shunammite’s sonA man from Baalshalisha
Places
ShunemMount CarmelGilgalBaalshalisha
Things
OilVesselsBedPottageLoaves of barleyCorn ears
Key Verses
  • 2 Kings 4:3: Illustrates the miracle of the oil that never runs out, showing divine abundance.
  • 2 Kings 4:13-14: Describes the birth of the Shunammite’s son, marking a divine intervention.
  • 2 Kings 4:35-37: Depicts Elisha’s resurrection of the boy, a profound demonstration of divine power.
  • 2 Kings 4:41-42: Shows the miracle of food during famine, emphasizing God’s provision.
Questions
  • How does Elisha’s guidance to borrow many vessels reflect trust in God’s provision?
  • In what ways does the Shunammite’s story illustrate the connection between faith, work, and divine blessing?
  • What lessons can we draw from the resurrection of the Shunammite’s son about hope amid despair?
  • How does the miracle of food during famine challenge our understanding of scarcity and sharing?
Sentiment

mixed
The narrative contains hardships such as debt and death, but concludes with miraculous provision and restoration.