A prophet's widow cries to Elisha: her creditor will take her two sons as slaves. She has only a jar of oil; Elisha tells her to borrow many empty vessels, shut the door, and pour—the oil miraculously fills every vessel and stops only when none remain. She sells the oil, pays the debt, and lives on the rest. A wealthy woman at Shunem regularly hosts Elisha, building him a room. Asked what she wants, she has no child and her husband is old; Elisha promises a son by next year. When the boy grows, he dies of sudden head pain; she rides to Elisha at Carmel. Gehazi's staff on the boy's face accomplishes nothing. Elisha comes, prays, stretches himself on the child, and life returns. At Gilgal during famine, poisonous gourds are added to the stew; Elisha purifies it with flour. With twenty barley loaves, Elisha feeds one hundred men with food left over.
Read 2 Kings Chapter 4 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
Elijah's successor who performed many miracles and ministered to Israel's kings
Faithful king of Judah who trusted God against Assyria and was healed from illness
Reforming king who rediscovered the Law and led Judah in renewal
Syrian commander healed of leprosy by Elisha, demonstrating God's grace to Gentiles
Wicked king of Judah who led the nation into deep idolatry
Places in This Chapter
Shunem was a village in the Jezreel Valley of northern Israel, located near Mount Gilboa. It is most famous for the wealthy Shunammite woman who showed hospitality to the prophet Elisha, building a room for him on her roof. When her son died, Elisha raised him back to life—one of the most dramatic miracles in the Old Testament. Earlier, Abishag the Shunammite had served aging King David. The village demonstrates God's reward for those who honor His servants.
Position in Book
Elijah taken to heaven, Elisha succeeds him, performs miracles, and influences kings.