"How can I help you?" asked Elisha. "Tell me, what do you have in the house?" She answered, "Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil." How can I help you?This phrase reflects Elisha's readiness to serve and assist those in need, embodying the role of a prophet as a servant of God. The Hebrew root for "help" (עָשָׂה, asah) implies action and creation, suggesting that Elisha is prepared to act on behalf of the widow. This mirrors the Christian call to service, where believers are encouraged to be the hands and feet of Christ, ready to respond to the needs of others with compassion and practical assistance. asked Elisha
Elisha, whose name means "God is salvation," is a central prophetic figure in the Old Testament. His life and ministry are marked by miraculous acts that demonstrate God's power and provision. Historically, Elisha's ministry took place during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, characterized by idolatry and social injustice. His question to the widow is not just a query but an invitation to faith, encouraging her to look beyond her immediate circumstances to the possibilities of divine intervention. Tell me, what do you have in the house?
This question shifts the focus from what the widow lacks to what she possesses, however small it may seem. The Hebrew word for "house" (בַּיִת, bayit) can also mean household or family, indicating that God's provision often begins with what is already present in our lives. This reflects a biblical principle that God uses what we have, no matter how insignificant it appears, to accomplish His purposes. It encourages believers to recognize and offer their resources, trusting that God can multiply them for His glory. Your servant has nothing there at all
The widow's initial response highlights her desperation and sense of inadequacy. The term "servant" (עֶבֶד, ebed) denotes humility and submission, acknowledging her dependence on Elisha's guidance and God's provision. This phrase captures the human tendency to focus on scarcity rather than abundance, a mindset that God often challenges in Scripture. It serves as a reminder that acknowledging our limitations is the first step toward experiencing God's miraculous provision. she said, 'except a small jar of olive oil.'
The "small jar" (אָסוּךְ, asuch) of "olive oil" (שֶׁמֶן, shemen) represents the widow's sole possession of value. Olive oil in ancient Israel was a precious commodity, used for cooking, lighting, and anointing. Its mention here is significant, as oil often symbolizes the Holy Spirit in biblical typology. This phrase underscores the theme of divine multiplication, where God takes what little we have and transforms it into an abundance. It inspires believers to offer their "small jars" to God, trusting in His ability to provide beyond our expectations. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the people of Israel. 2. The WidowA woman whose husband, a member of the company of prophets, has died, leaving her in debt and at risk of losing her sons to slavery. 3. The Jar of OilThe only possession of value the widow has, which becomes central to the miracle Elisha performs. Teaching Points God's Provision in DesperationGod often uses what we already have, no matter how small, to provide for our needs. Trust in His ability to multiply and bless the little we possess. Faith and ObedienceThe widow's willingness to follow Elisha's instructions demonstrates faith and obedience, which are crucial for experiencing God's miracles in our lives. The Value of Small ThingsNever underestimate the potential of what seems insignificant. God can use the smallest resources to achieve great things. Community and SupportElisha's role highlights the importance of seeking and providing support within the community of believers during times of need. God's Awareness of Our NeedsGod is intimately aware of our circumstances and is ready to intervene when we call upon Him in faith. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the widow's situation in 2 Kings 4:2 reflect the challenges we face today, and what can we learn from her response? 2. In what ways can we identify and utilize the "jars of oil" in our own lives that God might use to provide for us? 3. How does Elisha's question, "What do you have in the house?" challenge us to reassess our resources and trust in God's provision? 4. Compare the widow's account with the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. What similarities do you see in how God provides? 5. How can we, as a community of believers, better support those in need, following the example of Elisha's interaction with the widow? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 17:8-16The account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, where God provides for the widow through a miraculous supply of oil and flour. John 6:1-14The feeding of the 5,000, where Jesus multiplies a small amount of food to feed a large crowd, demonstrating God's provision. Philippians 4:19Paul speaks of God's ability to meet all needs according to His riches in glory, emphasizing divine provision. People Elisha, GehaziPlaces Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, ShunemTopics Anything, Declare, Elisha, Eli'sha, Except, Handmaid, Hast, Jar, Maidservant, Maid-servant, Nothing, Oil, Pot, Replied, Save, ServantDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 4:1 5274 credit
5289 debt
5447 poverty, causes
5448 poverty, attitudes to
5569 suffering, hardship
5901 loneliness
7447 slavery, in OT
7778 school of prophets
8027 faith, testing of
8343 servanthood, in society
8811 riches, attitudes to Library When the Oil Flows
'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.'--2 KINGS iv. 6. The series of miracles ascribed to Elisha are very unlike most of the wonderful works of even the Old Testament, and still more unlike those of the New. For about a great many of them there seems to have been no special purpose, either doctrinal or otherwise, but simply the relief of trivial and transient distresses. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureA Miracle Needing Effort
'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: 26. 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. 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, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Infant Salvation
Now, let every mother and father here present know assuredly that it is well with the child, if God hath taken it away from you in its infant days. You never heard its declaration of faith--it was not capable of such a thing--it was not baptized into the Lord Jesus Christ, not buried with him in baptism; it was not capable of giving that "answer of a good conscience towards God;" nevertheless, you may rest assured that it is well with the child, well in a higher and a better sense than it is well …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861 That the Grace of Devotion is Acquired by Humility and Self-Denial
The Voice of the Beloved Thou oughtest to seek earnestly the grace of devotion, to ask it fervently, to wait for it patiently and faithfully, to receive it gratefully, to preserve it humbly, to work with it diligently, and to leave to God the time and manner of heavenly visitation until it come. Chiefly oughtest thou to humble thyself when thou feelest inwardly little or no devotion, yet not to be too much cast down, nor to grieve out of measure. God ofttimes giveth in one short moment what He …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Extracts No. Ix.
[As the objector here begins to give up his ground, his letters from this place will be given nearly entire. He commences this number as follows, viz.] "Dear sir and brother--Your reply to my seventh number has been received, and hereby duly acknowledged. I have just given it a second reading, with peculiar care and attention; and I must add, generally speaking, with peculiar satisfaction too; for as it has tended in some degree to revive my almost extinguished faith in divine revelation, so it …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him." If we consider the sketch, given us in scripture, of the life of this patriarch, we shall find that few have had equal manifestations of the divine favor. But the light did not at all times shine on him. He had his dark hours while dwelling in this strange land. Here we find an horror of great darkness to have fallen upon him. The language used to describe his state, on this occasion, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Soul.
Man as we behold him is not all there is of man. He is a wonderful being. He stands in the highest order of God's creation. He Is A Compound. Man was created a physical and spiritual organism. He possesses an animal and a spiritual life. Thus he is connected with two worlds. The physical creation is termed the "outward man," and the spiritual, the "inward man." "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." 2 Cor. 4:16. "For we know …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
WE Are now come to the letter of Mr. W's Jewish Rabby, whom Mr. W. calls his friend, and says his letter consists of calm and sedate reasoning, p. 55. I on the other hand can see no reason in it. But the reader than not need to rely upon my judgment. Therefore I will transcribe some parts of it, and then make some remarks. The argument of the letter is, that the story of Lazarus's being raised is an imposture; or else the Jews could not have been so wicked, as to be on that account provoked against …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles Supplementary Note to Chapter ii. The Year of Christ's Birth.
The Christian era commences on the 1st of January of the year 754 of the city of Rome. That our Lord was born about the time stated in the text may appear from the following considerations-- The visit of the wise men to Bethlehem must have taken place a very few days after the birth of Jesus, and before His presentation in the temple. Bethlehem was not the stated residence of Joseph and Mary, either before or after the birth of the child (Luke i. 26, ii. 4, 39; Matt. ii. 2). They were obliged to …
William Dool Killen—The Ancient Church Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 4:2 NIV2 Kings 4:2 NLT2 Kings 4:2 ESV2 Kings 4:2 NASB2 Kings 4:2 KJV
2 Kings 4:2 Commentaries
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