2 Kings 4

Read 2 Kings 4 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.

4:1-7 {p} Elisha and the miracle of the oil to pay the widow’s debt
4:8-37 {p} Elisha and the miracle of the birth and raising from death of the Shunammite’s son
4:38-41 {s} Elisha and the miracle of cleansing the poison from the pot of stew
4:42-44 {p} Elisha and the miracle of feeding 100 men with 20 loaves of firstfruits barley

The Strong theme:

4:38-44 {s+p} Elisha gave food to the people, unhindered by poison or lack

1 Kin 22:51-2 Kin 3:27 Chiastic structure:

This chapter is all about the miracles performed by the man of God, in concert with the Spirit of God.

Hebrew Testament miraculous works of the Spirit include (and these four prophets are the sum total):

The signs and plagues of Moses;
The signs of Joshua;
The signs of Elijah and Elisha.

Yeshua likewise performs many of the same signs:

Water turned to wine (Joh 2:1-11) mirrors water turned to blood (Exo 7:14-24, Moses);
Miraculous healings (Num 21:4-9, bronze serpent of Moses);
Calming storm, walking on water (Mat 8:23-27 and Joh 6:16-21) mirrors mastery over the elements e.g., parting the Red Sea (Exo 14:21-22) or Joshua’s long day (Jos 10:12-14);
Raising the dead children: Mat 9:18-26 and Luk 7:11-17 (Elijah and Elisha);
Multiplying food: Mat 14:13-21 and Mat 15:32-39 (Elijah, Elisha).

The miraculous works of Moses, Joshua, Elijah, and Elisha were widely recognized in Israel as signs confirming that their words were God’s words. That Yeshua performed these same signs, and greater than the same, testified to Israel that His words were the word of God.

1 & 2 KINGS INDEX OF STUDIES | BIBLE FOR BEGINNERS ARCHIVE