But his servant asked, "How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?" "Give it to the people to eat," said Elisha, "for this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have some left over.'" But his servant askedThe phrase introduces a moment of doubt and questioning. The Hebrew word for "servant" here is "na'ar," which can mean a young man or attendant. This servant represents a common human reaction to divine instructions that seem impossible. In the broader biblical narrative, servants often play crucial roles in the unfolding of God's plans, highlighting that God uses all people, regardless of status, to fulfill His purposes. How can I set this
This question reflects a natural human skepticism when faced with a task that seems beyond one's resources. The Hebrew root "natan," meaning "to give" or "to set," implies an act of offering or presenting. The servant's question underscores a lack of understanding of God's provision, a theme recurrent in Scripture where human limitations are contrasted with divine abundance. before a hundred men?
The number "hundred" in biblical terms often signifies completeness or a large quantity. In the context of ancient Israel, feeding a hundred men with limited resources would indeed seem daunting. This phrase sets the stage for a miraculous event, reminiscent of other biblical accounts where God provides abundantly, such as the feeding of the 5,000 in the New Testament. It challenges the reader to trust in God's provision, even when circumstances appear insurmountable. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and being a mouthpiece for God's word. 2. The ServantAn unnamed servant of Elisha who questions the feasibility of feeding a hundred men with limited resources. 3. The Hundred MenA group of prophets or followers of Elisha who are present and in need of food. 4. The Miracle of MultiplicationThe event where Elisha, through God's promise, provides enough food for a hundred men with leftovers. 5. GilgalThe location where this event takes place, often associated with prophetic activity and divine encounters. Teaching Points Trust in God's ProvisionElisha's confidence in God's word teaches us to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem impossible. God's AbundanceThe miracle illustrates that God not only meets needs but often provides in abundance, encouraging us to rely on His generosity. Faith Over DoubtThe servant's initial doubt contrasts with Elisha's faith, reminding us to choose faith over skepticism in God's power. Obedience to God's WordElisha's instruction to "give it to the people to eat" highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when they defy logic. Community and SharingThe communal aspect of the miracle encourages believers to share resources and trust in God's ability to multiply what we offer. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elisha's response to his servant's doubt challenge us in our own faith journey? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of God's abundant provision in our daily lives? 3. How does this miracle of multiplication connect with Jesus' feeding of the five thousand, and what does it reveal about God's character? 4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate trust in God's provision when faced with limited resources? 5. How can we foster a spirit of community and sharing within our church or local community, inspired by this passage? Connections to Other Scriptures John 6:1-14The feeding of the five thousand by Jesus, which mirrors the miracle of multiplication performed by Elisha, demonstrating God's provision and abundance. Exodus 16The provision of manna in the wilderness, showing God's ability to provide for His people in miraculous ways. Matthew 6:25-34Jesus' teaching on not worrying about material needs, emphasizing trust in God's provision. People Elisha, GehaziPlaces Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, ShunemTopics Attendant, Eat, Elisha, Hundred, Leave, Minister, Repeated, Says, Servant, Servitor, Spare, Thereof, ThusDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 4:40-44 1416 miracles, nature of 2 Kings 4:42-43 8726 doubters 2 Kings 4:42-44 1330 God, the provider
4428 corn
8837 unbelief, and life of faith 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 4:43 NIV2 Kings 4:43 NLT2 Kings 4:43 ESV2 Kings 4:43 NASB2 Kings 4:43 KJV
2 Kings 4:43 Commentaries
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