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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Second Kings, Chapter IV].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D K I N G S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. IV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Great service Elisha had done, in he foregoing chapter, for the three
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kings: to his prayers and prophecies they owed their lives and
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triumphs. One would have expected that the next chapter would tell us
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what honours and what dignities were conferred on Elisha for this, that
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he should immediately be preferred at court, and made prime-minister of
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state, that Jehoshaphat should take him home with him, and advance him
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in his kingdom. No, the wise man delivered the army, but no man
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remembered the wise man,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+9:15">Eccl. ix. 15</A>.
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Or, if he had preferment offered him, he declined it: he preferred the
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honour of doing good in the schools of the prophets before that of
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being great in the courts of princes. God magnified him, and that
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sufficed him--magnified him indeed, for we have him here employed in
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working no fewer than five miracles.
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I. He multiplied the poor widow's oil,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:1-7">ver. 1-7</A>.
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II. He obtained for the good Shunammite the blessing of a son in her
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old age,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:8-17">ver. 8-17</A>.
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III. He raised that child to life when it was dead,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:18-27">ver. 18-27</A>.
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IV. He healed the deadly pottage,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:38-41">ver. 38-41</A>.
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V. He fed 100 men with twenty small loaves,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:42-44">ver. 42-44</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Increase of the Widow's Oil.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 894.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of
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the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead;
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and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: and the
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creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
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2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me,
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what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath
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not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
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3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy
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neighbours, <I>even</I> empty vessels; borrow not a few.
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4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee
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and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and
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thou shalt set aside that which is full.
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5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her
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sons, who brought <I>the vessels</I> to her; and she poured out.
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6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she
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said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her,
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<I>There is</I> not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.
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7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell
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the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the
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rest.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Elisha's miracles were for use, not for show; this recorded here was an
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act of real charity. Such also were the miracles of Christ, not only
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great wonders, but great favours to those for whom they were wrought.
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God magnifies his goodness with his power.</P>
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<P>
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I. Elisha readily receives a poor widow's complaint. She was a
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prophet's widow; to whom therefore should she apply, but to him that
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was a father to the sons of the prophets, and concerned himself in the
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welfare of their families? It seems, the prophets had wives as well as
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the priests, though prophecy went not by entail, as the priesthood did.
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Marriage is honourable in all, and not inconsistent with the most
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sacred professions. Now, by the complaint of this poor woman
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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we are given to understand,
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1. That her husband, being <I>one of the sons of the prophets,</I> was
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well know to Elisha. Ministers of eminent gifts and stations should
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make themselves familiar with those that are every way their inferiors,
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and know their character and state.
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2. That he had the reputation of a godly man. Elisha knew him to be
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one that feared the Lord, else he would have been unworthy of the
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honour and unfit for the work of a prophet. He was one that kept his
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integrity in a time of general apostasy, one of the 7000 that had not
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bowed the knee to Baal.
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3. That he was dead, though a good man, a good minister. The
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prophets--do they live for ever? Those that were clothed with the
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Spirit of prophecy were not thereby armed against the stroke of death.
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4. That he died poor, and in debt more than he was worth. He did not
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contract his debts by prodigality, and luxury, and riotous living, for
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he was one that feared the Lord, and therefore durst not allow himself
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in such courses: nay, religion obliges men not to live above what they
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have, nor to spend more than what God gives them, no, not in expenses
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otherwise lawful; for thereby, of necessity, they must disable
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themselves, at last, to give every one his own, and so prove guilty of
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a continued act of injustice all along. Yet it may be the lot of those
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that fear God to be in debt, and insolvent, through afflictive
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providences, losses by sea, or bad debts, or their own imprudence, for
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the <I>children of light</I> are not always <I>wise for this world.</I>
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Perhaps this prophet was impoverished by persecution: when Jezebel
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ruled, prophets had much ado to live, and especially if they had
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families.
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5. That the creditors were very severe with her Two sons she had to be
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the support of her widowed state, and their labour is reckoned
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<I>assets</I> in her hand; that must go therefore, and they must be
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bondmen for seven years
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+21:2">Exod. xxi. 2</A>)
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to work out this debt. Those that leave their families under a load of
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debt disproportionable to their estates know not what trouble they
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entail. In this distress the poor widow goes to Elisha, in dependence
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upon the promise that the seed of the righteous shall not be forsaken.
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The generation of the upright may expect help from God's providence and
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countenance from his prophets.</P>
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<P>
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II. He effectually relieves this poor widow's distress, and puts her in
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a way both to pay her debt and to maintain herself and her family. He
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did not say, <I>Be warmed, be filled,</I> but gave her real help. He
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did not give her some small matter for her present provision, but set
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her up in the world to sell oil, and put a stock into her hand to begin
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with. This was done by miracle, but it is an indication to us what is
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the best method of charity, and the greatest kindness one can do to
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poor people, which is, if possible, to help them into a way of
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improving what little they have by their own industry and
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ingenuity.</P>
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<P>
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1. He directed her what to do, considered her case: <I>What shall I do
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for thee?</I> The sons of the prophets were poor, and it would signify
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little to make a collection for her among them: but the God of the holy
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prophets is able to supply all her need; and, if she has a little
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committed to her management, her need must be supplied by his blessing
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and increasing that little. Elisha therefore enquired what she had to
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make money of, and found she had nothing to sell but one pot of oil,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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If she had had any plate or furniture, he would have bidden her part
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with it, to enable her to be just to her creditors. We cannot reckon
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any thing really, nor comfortably, our own, but what is so when all our
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debts are paid. If she had not had this pot of oil, the divine power
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could have supplied her; but, having this, it will work upon this, and
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so teach us to make the best of what we have. The prophet, knowing her
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to have credit among her neighbours, bids her borrow of them <I>empty
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vessels</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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for, it seems, she had sold her own, towards the satisfying of her
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creditors. He directs her to shut the door upon herself and her sons,
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while she filled all those vessels out of that one. She must shut the
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door, to prevent interruptions from the creditors, and others while it
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was in the doing, that they might not seem proudly to boast of this
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miraculous supply, and that they might have opportunity for prayer and
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praise to God upon this extraordinary occasion. Observe,
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(1.) The oil was to be multiplied in the pouring, as the other widow's
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meal in the spending. The way to increase what we have is to use it; to
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him that so hath shall be given. It is not hoarding the talents, but
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trading with them, that doubles them.
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(2.) It must be poured out by herself, not by Elisha nor by any of the
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sons of the prophets, to intimate that it is in connexion with our own
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careful and diligent endeavours that we may expect the blessing of God
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to enrich us both for this world and the other. What we have will
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increase best in our own hand.</P>
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<P>
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2. She did it accordingly. She did not tell the prophet he designed to
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make a fool of her; but firmly believing the divine power and goodness,
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and in pure obedience to the prophet, she borrowed vessels large and
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many of her neighbours, and poured out her oil into them. One of her
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sons was employed to bring her empty vessels, and the other carefully
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to set aside those that were full, while they were all amazed to find
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their pot, like a fountain of living water, always flowing, and yet
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always full. They saw not the spring that supplied it, but believed it
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to be in him <I>in whom all our springs are.</I> Job's metaphor was now
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verified in the letter
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:6">Job xxix. 6</A>),
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<I>The rock poured me out rivers of oil.</I> Perhaps this was in the
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tribe of Asher, part of whose blessing it was that he should <I>dip his
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foot in oil,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+33:24">Deut. xxxiii. 24</A>.</P>
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<P>
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3. The oil continued flowing as long as she had any empty vessels to
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receive it; when every vessel was full the oil stayed
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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for it was not fit that this precious liquor should run over, and be as
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water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Note, We
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are never straitened in God, in his power and bounty, and the riches of
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his grace; all our straitness is in ourselves. It is our faith that
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fails, not his promise. He gives above what we ask: were there more
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vessels, there is enough in God to fill them--enough for all, enough
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for each. Was not this pot of oil exhausted as long as there were any
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vessels to be filled from it? And shall we fear lest the golden oil
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which flows from the very root and fatness of the good olive should
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fail, as long as there are any lamps to be supplied from it?
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+4:12">Zech. iv. 12</A>.</P>
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<P>
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4. The prophet directed her what to do with the oil she had,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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She must not keep it for her own use, to <I>make her face to shine.</I>
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Those whom Providence has made poor must be content with poor
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accommodations for themselves (this is <I>knowing how to want</I>), and
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must not think, when they get a little of that which is better than
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ordinary, to feed their own luxury: no,
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(1.) She must sell the oil to those that were rich, and could afford to
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bestow it on themselves. We may suppose, being produced by miracle, it
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was the best of its kind, like the wine
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+2:10">John ii. 10</A>),
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so that she might have both a good price and a good market for it.
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Probably the merchants bought it to export, for oil was one of the
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commodities that Israel traded in,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+27:17">Ezek. xxvii. 17</A>.
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(2.) She must pay her debt with the money she received for her oil.
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Though her creditors were too rigorous with her, yet they must not
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therefore lose their debt. Her first care, now that she has wherewithal
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to do so, must be to discharge that, even before she makes any
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provision for her children. It is one of the fundamental laws of our
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religion that we render to all their due, pay every just debt, give
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every one his own, though we leave ever so little for ourselves; and
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this, not of constraint but willingly and without grudging; not only
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for wrath, to avoid being sued, but also for conscience' sake. Those
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that possess an honest mind cannot with pleasure eat their daily bread,
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unless it be their own bread.
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(3.) The rest must not be laid up, but she and her children must live
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upon it, not upon the oil, but upon the money received from it, with
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which they must put themselves into a capacity of getting an honest
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livelihood. No doubt she did as the man of God directed; and hence,
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[1.] Let those that are poor and in distress be encouraged to trust God
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for supply in the way of duty. <I>Verily thou shalt be fed,</I> though
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not feasted. It is true we cannot now expect miracles, yet we may
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expect mercies, if we wait on God and seek to him. Let widows
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particularly, and prophets' widows in a special manner, depend upon him
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to preserve them and their fatherless children alive, for to them he
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will be a husband, a father.
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[2.] Let those whom God has blessed with plenty use it for the glory of
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God and under the direction of his word: let them do justly with it, as
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this widow did, and serve God cheerfully in the use of it, and as
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Elisha, be ready to do good to those that need them, be eyes to the
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blind, and feet to the lame.</P>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Ki4_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Shunammite's Hospitality.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 893.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where
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<I>was</I> a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And
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<I>so</I> it was, <I>that</I> as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither
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to eat bread.
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9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that
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this <I>is</I> a holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
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10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and
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let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a
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candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall
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turn in thither.
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11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned
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into the chamber, and lay there.
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12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And
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when he had called her, she stood before him.
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13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast
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been careful for us with all this care; what <I>is</I> to be done for
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thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain
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of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
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14 And he said, What then <I>is</I> to be done for her? And Gehazi
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answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
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15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood
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in the door.
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16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of
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life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord,
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<I>thou</I> man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
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17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that
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Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The giving of a son to such as were old, and had been long childless,
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was an ancient instance of the divine power and favour, in the case of
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Abraham, and Isaac, and Manoah, and Elkanah; we find it here among the
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wonders wrought by Elisha. This was wrought in recompence for the kind
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entertainment which a good woman gave him, as the promise of a son was
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given to Abraham when he entertained angels. Observe here,</P>
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<P>
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I. The kindness of the Shunammite woman to Elisha. Things are bad
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enough in Israel, yet not so bad but that God's prophet finds friends,
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wherever he goes. Shunem was a city in the tribe of Issachar, that lay
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|
in the road between Samaria and Carmel, a road that Elisha often
|
|
travelled, as we find
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:25"><I>ch.</I> ii. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>There</I> lived <I>a great woman,</I> who kept a good house, and was
|
|
very hospitable, her husband having a good estate, and his heart safely
|
|
trusting in her, and in her discreet management,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+31:11">Prov. xxxi. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
So famous a man as Elisha could not pass and repass unobserved.
|
|
Probably he had been accustomed to take some private obscure lodgings
|
|
in the town; but this pious matron, having notice once of his being
|
|
there, pressed him with great importunity, and, with much difficulty,
|
|
constrained him to dine with her,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
He was modest and loth to be troublesome, humble and affected not to
|
|
associate with those of the first rank; so that it was not without some
|
|
difficulty that he was first drawn into an acquaintance there; but
|
|
afterwards, whenever he went that way in his circuit, he constantly
|
|
called there. So well pleased was she with her guest, and so desirous
|
|
of his company, that she would not only bid him welcome to her table,
|
|
but provide a lodging-room for him in her house, that he might make the
|
|
longer stay, not doubting but her house would be blessed for his sake,
|
|
and all under her roof edified by his pious instructions and example--a
|
|
good design, yet she would not do it without acquainting her husband,
|
|
would neither lay out his money nor invite strangers to his house
|
|
without his consent asked and obtained,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:9,10"><I>v.</I> 9, 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
She suggests to him,
|
|
|
|
1. That the stranger she would invite was a <I>holy man of God,</I> who
|
|
therefore would do good to their family, and God would recompense the
|
|
kindness done to him; perhaps she had heard how well paid the widow of
|
|
Sarepta was for entertaining Elijah.
|
|
|
|
2. That the kindness she intended him would be no great charge to them;
|
|
she would build him only a little chamber. Perhaps she had no spare
|
|
room in the house, or none private and retired enough for him, who
|
|
spent much of his time in contemplation, and cared not for being
|
|
disturbed with the noise of the family. The furniture shall be very
|
|
plain; no costly hangings, no stands, no couches, no looking-glasses,
|
|
but a bed, and a table, a stool, and a candlestick, all that was
|
|
needful for his convenience, not only for his repose, but for his
|
|
study, his reading and writing. Elisha seemed highly pleased with these
|
|
accommodations, for he turned in and lay there
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
and, as it should seem, his man in the same chamber, for he was far
|
|
from taking state.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Elisha's gratitude for this kindness. Being exceedingly pleased
|
|
with the quietness of his apartment, and the friendliness of his
|
|
entertainment, he began to consider with himself what recompence he
|
|
should make her. Those that receive courtesies should study to return
|
|
them; it ill becomes men of God to be ungrateful, or to sponge upon
|
|
those that are generous.
|
|
|
|
1. He offered to use his interest for her in the king's court
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Thou hast been careful for us with all this care</I> (thus did he
|
|
magnify the kindness he received, as those that are humble are
|
|
accustomed to do, though in the purse of one so rich, and in the breast
|
|
of one so free, it was as nothing); now <I>what shall be done for
|
|
thee?</I> As the liberal devise liberal things, so the grateful devise
|
|
grateful things. "<I>Wouldst thou be spoken for to the king, or the
|
|
captain of the host,</I> for an office for thy husband, civil or
|
|
military? Hast thou any complaint to make, any petition to present, any
|
|
suit at law depending, that needs the countenance of the high powers?
|
|
Wherein can I serve thee?" It seems Elisha had got such an interest by
|
|
his late services that, though he chose not to prefer himself by it,
|
|
yet he was capable of preferring his friends. A good man can take as
|
|
much pleasure in serving others as in raising himself. But she needs
|
|
not any good offices of this kind to be done for her: <I>I dwell</I>
|
|
(says she) <I>among my own people,</I> that is, "We are well off as we
|
|
are, and do not aim at preferment." It is a happiness to <I>dwell among
|
|
our own people,</I> that love and respect us, and to whom we are in a
|
|
capacity of doing good; and a greater happiness to be content to do so,
|
|
to be easy, and to know when we are well off. Why should those that
|
|
live comfortably among their own people covet to live delicately in
|
|
kings' palaces? It would be well with many if they did but know when
|
|
they were well off. Some years after this we find this Shunammite had
|
|
occasion to be spoken for to the king, though now she needed it not,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+8:3,4"><I>ch.</I> viii. 3, 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that dwell among their own people must not think their mountain
|
|
stands so strong as that it cannot be moved; they may be driven, as
|
|
this good woman was, to sojourn among strangers. Our continuing city is
|
|
above.
|
|
|
|
2. He did use his interest for her in the court of heaven, which was
|
|
far better. Elisha consulted with his servant what kindness he should
|
|
do for her, to such a freedom did this great prophet admit even his
|
|
servant. Gehazi reminded him that she was childless, had a great
|
|
estate, but no son to leave it to, and was past hopes of having any,
|
|
her husband being old. If Elisha could obtain this favour from God for
|
|
her, it would be the removal of that which at present was her only
|
|
grievance. Those are the most welcome kindnesses which are most suited
|
|
to our necessities. He sent for her immediately. She very humbly and
|
|
respectfully <I>stood in the door</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
according to her accustomed modesty, and then he assured her that
|
|
within a year she should bring forth a son,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
She had received this prophet <I>in the name of a prophet,</I> and now
|
|
she had not a courtier's reward, in being spoken for to the king, but a
|
|
prophet's reward, a signal mercy given by prophets and in answer to
|
|
prayer: the promise was a surprise to her, and she begged that she
|
|
might not be flattered by it: "<I>Nay, my lord, thou</I> are <I>a man
|
|
of God,</I> and therefore I hope speakest seriously, and doth not jest
|
|
with me, nor lie unto thy handmaid." The event, within the time
|
|
limited, confirmed the truth of the promise: <I>She bore a son</I> at
|
|
the season that Elisha spoke of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
God built up her house, in reward to her kindness in building the
|
|
prophet a chamber. We may well imagine what joy this brought to the
|
|
family. <I>Sing, O barren! thou that didst not bear.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_37"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Death of the Shunammite's Son; The Shunammite's Son Restored.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 887.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went
|
|
out to his father to the reapers.
|
|
19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said
|
|
to a lad, Carry him to his mother.
|
|
20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he
|
|
sat on her knees till noon, and <I>then</I> died.
|
|
21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God,
|
|
and shut <I>the door</I> upon him, and went out.
|
|
22 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.
|
|
23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? <I>it is</I>
|
|
neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, <I>It shall be</I> well.
|
|
24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and
|
|
go forward; slack not <I>thy</I> riding for me, except I bid thee.
|
|
25 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, <I>yonder is</I> that
|
|
Shunammite:
|
|
26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, <I>Is it</I>
|
|
well with thee? <I>is it</I> well with thy husband? <I>is it</I> well with
|
|
the child? And she answered, <I>It is</I> well.
|
|
27 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 <I>is</I> vexed within
|
|
her: and the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath hid <I>it</I> from me, and hath not told me.
|
|
28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say,
|
|
Do not deceive me?
|
|
29 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.
|
|
30 And the mother of the child said, <I>As</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> liveth, and
|
|
<I>as</I> thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and
|
|
followed her.
|
|
31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon
|
|
the face of the child; but <I>there was</I> neither voice, nor
|
|
hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him,
|
|
saying, The child is not awaked.
|
|
32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child
|
|
was dead, <I>and</I> laid upon his bed.
|
|
33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and
|
|
prayed unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
34 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.
|
|
35 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.
|
|
36 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.
|
|
37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to
|
|
the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We may well suppose that, after the birth of this son, the prophet was
|
|
doubly welcome to the good Shunammite. He had thought himself indebted
|
|
to her, but henceforth, as long as she lives, she will think herself in
|
|
his debt, and that she can never do too much for him. We may also
|
|
suppose that the child was very dear to the prophet, as the son of his
|
|
prayers, and very dear to the parents, as the son of their old age. But
|
|
here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The sudden death of the child, though so much a darling. He was so
|
|
far past the perils of infancy that he was able to go to the field to
|
|
his father, who no doubt was pleased with his engaging talk, and his
|
|
joy of his son was greater than the joy of his harvest; but either the
|
|
cold or the heat of the open field overcame the child, who was bred
|
|
tenderly, and he complained to his father that his head ached,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Whither should we go with our complaints, but to our heavenly Father?
|
|
Thither the Spirit of adoption brings believers with all their
|
|
grievances, all their desires, teaching them to cry, with groanings
|
|
that cannot be uttered, "<I>My head, my head;</I> my heart, my heart."
|
|
The father sent him to his mother's arms, his mother's lap, little
|
|
suspecting any danger in his indisposition, but hoping he would drop
|
|
asleep in his mother's bosom and awake well; but the sickness proved
|
|
fatal; he slept the sleep of death
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
was well in the morning and dead by noon: all the mother's care and
|
|
tenderness could not keep him alive. A child of promise, a child of
|
|
prayer, and given in love, yet taken away. Little children lie open to
|
|
the arrests of sickness and death. But how admirably does the prudent
|
|
pious mother guard her lips under this surprising affliction! Not one
|
|
peevish murmuring word comes from her. She has a strong belief that the
|
|
child will be raised to life again: like a genuine daughter of
|
|
Abraham's faith, as well as loins, she accounts that God is able to
|
|
raise him from the dead, for thence at first she <I>received him in a
|
|
figure,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:19">Heb. xi. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
She had heard of the raising of the widow's son of Sarepta, and that
|
|
the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha; and such confidence had she of
|
|
God's goodness that she was very ready to believe that he who so soon
|
|
took away what he had given would restore what he had now taken away.
|
|
By this faith <I>women received their dead raised to life,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:35">Heb. xi. 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
In this faith she makes no preparation for the burial of her dead
|
|
child, but for its resurrection; for she <I>lays him on the prophet's
|
|
bed</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
expecting that he will stand her friend. <I>O woman! great is thy
|
|
faith.</I> he that wrought it would not frustrate it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The sorrowful mother's application to the prophet on this sad
|
|
occasion; for it happened very opportunely that he was now at the
|
|
college upon Mount Carmel, not far off.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. She begged leave of her husband to go to the prophet, yet not
|
|
acquainting him with her errand, lest he should not have faith enough
|
|
to let her go,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
He objected, <I>It is neither new moon nor sabbath</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
which intimates that on those feasts of the Lord she used to go to the
|
|
assembly in which he presided, with other good people, to hear the
|
|
word, and to join with him in prayers and praises. She did not think
|
|
it enough to have his help sometimes in her own family, but, though a
|
|
great woman, attended on public worship, for which this was none of the
|
|
times appointed; <I>therefore,</I> said the husband, "why wilt thou go
|
|
to day? What is the matter?" "No harm," said she, "<I>It shall be
|
|
well,</I> so you will say yourself hereafter." See how this husband and
|
|
wife vied with each other in showing mutual regard; she was so dutiful
|
|
to him that she would not go till she had acquainted him with her
|
|
journey, and he so kind to her that he would not oppose it, though she
|
|
did not think fit to acquaint him with her business.
|
|
|
|
2. She made all the haste she could to the prophet
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
and he, seeing her at a distance, sent his servant to enquire whether
|
|
any thing was amiss,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:25,26"><I>v.</I> 25, 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
The questions were particular: <I>Is it well with thee? Is it well with
|
|
thy husband? Is it well with the child?</I> Note, It well becomes the
|
|
men of God, with tenderness and concern, to enquire about the welfare
|
|
of their friends and their families. The answer was general <I>It is
|
|
well.</I> Gehazi was not the man that she came to complain to, and
|
|
therefore she put him off with this; she said little, and little said
|
|
is soon amended
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+39:1,2">Ps. xxxix. 1, 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
but what she did say was very patient: "It is well with me, with my
|
|
husband, with the child"--all well, and yet the child dead in the
|
|
house. Note, When God calls away our dearest relations by death it
|
|
becomes us quietly to say, "It is well both with us and them;" it is
|
|
well, for all is well that God does; all is well with those that are
|
|
gone if they have gone to heaven, and all well with us that stay behind
|
|
if by the affliction we are furthered in our way thither.
|
|
|
|
3. When she came to the prophet she humbly reasoned with him concerning
|
|
her present affliction. She threw herself at his feet, as one troubled
|
|
and in grief, which she never showed till she came to him who, she
|
|
believed, could help her,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
When her passion would do her service she knew how to discover it, as
|
|
well as how to conceal it when it would do her disservice. Gehazi knew
|
|
his master would not be pleased to see her lie at his feet, and
|
|
therefore would have raised her up; but Elisha waited to hear from her,
|
|
since he might not know immediately from God, what was the cause of her
|
|
trouble. God discovered things to his prophets as he saw fit, not
|
|
always as they desired; God did not show this to the prophet, because
|
|
he might know it from the good woman herself. What she said was very
|
|
pathetic. She appealed to the prophet,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Concerning her indifference to this mercy which was now taken from
|
|
her: "<I>Did I desire a son of my lord?</I> No, thou knowest I did not;
|
|
it was thy own proposal, not mine; I did not fret for the want of a
|
|
son, as Hannah, nor beg, as Rachel, <I>Give me children or else I
|
|
die.</I>" Note, When any creature-comfort is taken from us, it is well
|
|
if we can say, through grace, that we did not set our hearts
|
|
inordinately upon it; for, if we did, we have reason to fear it was
|
|
given in anger and taken away in wrath.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Concerning her entire dependence upon the prophet's word: <I>Did I
|
|
not say, Do not deceive me?</I> Yes, she did say so
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
and this reflection upon it may be considered either,
|
|
|
|
[1.] As quarrelling with the prophet for deceiving her. She was ready
|
|
to think herself mocked with the mercy when it was so soon removed, and
|
|
that it would have been better she had never had this child than to be
|
|
deprived of him when she began to have comfort in him. Note, The loss
|
|
of a mercy should not make us undervalue the gift of it. Or,
|
|
|
|
[2.] As pleading with the prophet for the raising of the child to life
|
|
again: "<I>I said, Do not deceive me,</I> and I know thou wilt not."
|
|
Note, However the providence of God may disappoint us, we may be sure
|
|
the promise of God never did, nor ever will, deceive us: hope in that
|
|
will not make us ashamed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The raising of the child to life again. We may suppose that the
|
|
woman gave Elisha a more express account of the child's death, and he
|
|
gave her a more express promise of his resurrection, than is here
|
|
related, where we are briefly told,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. That Elisha sent Gehazi to go in all haste to the dead child, gave
|
|
him his staff, and bade him lay that on the face of the child,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
I know not what to make of this. Elisha knew that Elijah raised the
|
|
dead child with a very close application, stretching himself upon the
|
|
child, and praying again and again, and could he think to raise this
|
|
child by so slight a ceremony as this, especially when nothing hindered
|
|
him from coming himself? Shall such a power as this be delegated, and
|
|
to no better man that Gehazi? Bishop Hall suggests that it was done out
|
|
of human conceit, and not by divine instinct, and therefore it failed
|
|
of the effect; God will not have such great favours made too cheap, nor
|
|
shall they be too easily come by, lest they be undervalued.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The woman resolved not to go back without the prophet himself
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will not leave thee.</I> She had no great expectation from the
|
|
staff, she would have the hand, and she was in the right of it.
|
|
Perhaps God intended hereby to teach us not to put that confidence in
|
|
creatures, that are servants, which the power of the Creator, their
|
|
Master and ours, will alone bear the weight of. Gehazi returns <I>re
|
|
infecta--without success,</I> without the tidings of any sign of life
|
|
in the child
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The child is not awaked,</I> intimating, to the comfort of the
|
|
mother, that its death was but a sleep, and that he expected that it
|
|
would shortly be awaked. In the raising of dead souls to spiritual life
|
|
ministers can do no more by their own power than Gehazi here could;
|
|
they lay the word, like the prophet's staff, before their faces, but
|
|
there is neither voice nor hearing, till Christ, by his Spirit, comes
|
|
himself. The letter alone kills; it is the Spirit that gives life. It
|
|
is not prophesying upon dry bones that will put life into them, breath
|
|
must come from heaven and breathe upon those slain.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The prophet, by earnest prayer, obtained from God the restoring of
|
|
this dead child to life again. He found the child dead upon his own bed
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>and shut the door upon them twain,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
Even the dead child is spoken of as a person, one of the twain, for it
|
|
was still in being and not lost. He shut out all company, that he might
|
|
not seem to glory in the power God had given him, or to use it for
|
|
ostentation and to be seen of men. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) How closely the prophet applied himself to this great operation,
|
|
perhaps being sensible that he had tempted God too much in thinking to
|
|
effect it by the staff in Gehazi's hand, for which he thought himself
|
|
rebuked by the disappointment. He now found it a harder task than he
|
|
then thought, and therefore addressed himself to it with great
|
|
solemnity.
|
|
|
|
[1.] He <I>prayed unto the Lord</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>),
|
|
|
|
probably as Elijah had done, <I>Let this child's soul come into him
|
|
again.</I> Christ raised the dead to life as one having
|
|
authority--<I>Damsel, arise--young man, I say unto thee,
|
|
Arise--Lazarus, come forth</I> (for he was powerful and faithful as a
|
|
Son, the Lord of life), but Elijah and Elisha did it by petition, as
|
|
servants.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He <I>lay upon the child</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>),
|
|
|
|
as if he would communicate to him some of his vital heat or spirits.
|
|
Thus he expressed the earnestness of his desire, and gave a sign of
|
|
that divine power which he depended upon for the accomplishment of this
|
|
great work. He first <I>put his mouth to the child's mouth,</I> as if,
|
|
in God's name, he would breathe into him the breath of life; then
|
|
<I>his eyes to the child's eyes,</I> to open them again to the light of
|
|
life; then <I>his hands to the child's hands,</I> to put strength into
|
|
them. He then <I>returned, and walked in the house,</I> as one full of
|
|
care and concern, and wholly intent upon what he was about. Then he
|
|
went up stairs again, and the second time, <I>stretched himself upon
|
|
the child,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that would be instrumental in conveying spiritual life to dead
|
|
souls must thus affect themselves with their case, and accommodate
|
|
themselves to it, and labour fervently in prayer for them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) How gradually the operation was performed. At the first
|
|
application, <I>the flesh of the child waxed warm</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>),
|
|
|
|
which gave the prophet encouragement to continue instant in prayer.
|
|
After a while, <I>the child sneezed seven times,</I> which was an
|
|
indication, not only of life, but liveliness. Some have reported it as
|
|
an ancient tradition that when God breathed into Adam the breath of
|
|
life the first evidence of his being alive was sneezing, which gave
|
|
rise to the usage of paying respect to those that sneeze. Some observe
|
|
here that sneezing clears the head, and there lay the child's
|
|
distemper.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) How joyfully the child was restored alive to his mother
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:36,37"><I>v.</I> 36, 37</A>),
|
|
|
|
and all parties concerned <I>were not a little comforted,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:12">Acts xx. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
See the power of God, who kills and makes alive again. See the power of
|
|
prayer; as it has the key of the clouds, so it has the key of death.
|
|
See the power of faith; that fixed law of nature (that death is a way
|
|
whence there is no returning) shall rather be dispensed with than this
|
|
believing Shunammite shall be disappointed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_40"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_42"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_43"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Ki4_44"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Miracle on the Poisoned Pottage;
|
|
the Miracle on the Barley Loaves.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 887.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>38 And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and <I>there was</I> a dearth in
|
|
the land; and the sons of the prophets <I>were</I> sitting before him:
|
|
and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe
|
|
pottage for the sons of the prophets.
|
|
39 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 <I>them</I> into the pot of pottage: for they knew
|
|
<I>them</I> not.
|
|
40 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 <I>thou</I> man of God, <I>there is</I> death in the pot. And they
|
|
could not eat <I>thereof.</I>
|
|
41 But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast <I>it</I> into the pot;
|
|
and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And
|
|
there was no harm in the pot.
|
|
42 And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, 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.
|
|
43 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 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, They shall eat, and shall leave
|
|
<I>thereof.</I>
|
|
44 So he set <I>it</I> before them, and they did eat, and left
|
|
<I>thereof,</I> according to the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here Elisha in his place, in his element, among the sons of the
|
|
prophets, teaching them, and, as a father, providing for them; and
|
|
happy it was for them that they had one over them who naturally cared
|
|
for their state, under whom they were well fed and well taught. There
|
|
was a dearth in the land, for the wickedness of those that dwelt
|
|
therein, the same that we read of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+8:1"><I>ch.</I> viii. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
It continued seven years, just as long again as that in Elijah's time.
|
|
A famine of bread there was, but not of hearing the word of God, for
|
|
Elisha had the sons of the prophets sitting before him, to hear his
|
|
wisdom, who were taught, that they might teach others. Two instances we
|
|
have here of the care he took about their meat. Christ twice fed those
|
|
to whom he preached. Elisha was in the more care about it now because
|
|
of the dearth, that the sons of the prophets might not be ashamed in
|
|
this evil time, but, even in <I>the days of famine, might be
|
|
satisfied,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+37:19">Ps. xxxvii. 19</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He made hurtful food to become safe and wholesome.
|
|
|
|
1. On the lecture-day, the sons of the prophets being all to attend, he
|
|
ordered his servant to provide food for their bodies, while he was
|
|
breaking to them the bread of life for their souls. Whether there was
|
|
any flesh-meat for them does not appear; he orders only that pottage
|
|
should be seethed for them of herbs,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
The sons of the prophets should be examples of temperance and
|
|
mortification, not desirous of dainties, but content with plain food.
|
|
If they have neither savoury meats nor sweet meats, nay, if a mess of
|
|
pottage be all the dinner, let them remember that this great prophet
|
|
entertained himself and his guests no better.
|
|
|
|
2. One of the servitors, who was sent to gather herbs (which, it should
|
|
seem, must serve instead of flesh for the pottage), by mistake brought
|
|
in that which was noxious, or at least very nauseous, and shred it into
|
|
the pottage: <I>wild gourds</I> they are called,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some think it was <I>coloquintida,</I> a herb strongly cathartic, and,
|
|
if not qualified, dangerous. The sons of the prophets, it seems, were
|
|
better skilled in divinity than in natural philosophy, and read their
|
|
Bibles more than their herbals. If any of the fruits of the earth be
|
|
hurtful, we must look upon it as an effect of the curse (<I>thorns and
|
|
thistles shall it bring forth unto thee</I>), for the original blessing
|
|
made all good.
|
|
|
|
3. The guests complained to Elisha of the unwholesomeness of their
|
|
food. Nature has given man the sense of tasting, not only that
|
|
wholesome food may be pleasant, but that that which is unwholesome may
|
|
be discovered before it comes to the stomach; the mouth tries meat by
|
|
tasting it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+12:11">Job xii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
This pottage was soon found by the taste of it to be dangerous, so that
|
|
they cried out, <I>There is death in the pot,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>.
|
|
|
|
The table often becomes a snare, and that which should be for our
|
|
welfare proves a trap, which is a good reason why we should not feed
|
|
ourselves without fear; when we are receiving the supports and comforts
|
|
of life we must keep up an expectation of death and a fear of sin.
|
|
|
|
4. Elisha immediately cured the bad taste and prevented the bad
|
|
consequences of this unwholesome pottage; as before he had healed the
|
|
bitter waters with salt, so now the bitter broth with meal,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is probable that there was meal in it before, but that was put in by
|
|
a common hand, only to thicken the pottage; this was the same thing,
|
|
but cast in by Elisha's hand, and with intent to heal the pottage, by
|
|
which it appears that the change was not owing to the meal (that was
|
|
the sign only, not the means), but to the divine power. Now all was
|
|
well, not only no death, but no harm in the pot. We must acknowledge
|
|
God's goodness in making our food wholesome and nourishing. <I>I am the
|
|
Lord that healeth thee.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He made a little food to go a great way.
|
|
|
|
1. Elisha had a present brought him of twenty barley-loaves and some
|
|
ears of corn
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>),
|
|
|
|
a present which, in those ages, would not be despicable at any time,
|
|
but now in a special manner valuable, when there was a dearth in the
|
|
land. It is said to be of <I>the first-fruits,</I> which was God's due
|
|
out of their increase; and when the priests and Levites were all at
|
|
Jerusalem, out of their reach, the religious people among them, with
|
|
good reason, looked upon the prophets as God's receivers, and brought
|
|
their first-fruits to them, which helped to maintain their schools.
|
|
|
|
2. Having freely received, he freely gave, ordering it all to be set
|
|
before the sons of the prophets, reserving none for himself, none for
|
|
the hereafter. "<I>Let the morrow take thought for the things of
|
|
itself,</I> give it all to the people that they may eat." It well
|
|
becomes the men of God to be generous and open-handed, and the fathers
|
|
of the prophets to be liberal to the sons of the prophets.
|
|
|
|
3. Though the loaves were little, it is likely no more than what one
|
|
man would ordinarily eat at a meal, yet with twenty of them he
|
|
satisfied 100 men,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:43,44"><I>v.</I> 43, 44</A>.
|
|
|
|
His servant thought that to set so little meat before so many men was
|
|
but to tantalize them, and shame his master for making so great an
|
|
invitation to such short commons; but he in God's name, pronounced it a
|
|
full meal for them, and so it proved; they did eat, and left thereof,
|
|
not because their stomachs failed them, but because the bread increased
|
|
in the eating. God has promised his church
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+132:15">Ps. cxxxii. 15</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>that he will abundantly bless her provision, and satisfy her poor
|
|
with bread;</I> for whom he feeds he fills, and what he blesses comes
|
|
to much, as what he blows upon comes to little,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hag+1:9">Hag. i. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ's feeding his hearers was a miracle far beyond this; but both
|
|
teach us that those who wait upon God in the way of duty may hope to be
|
|
both protected and supplied by a particular care of divine
|
|
Providence.</P>
|
|
|
|
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