◄ 2 Kings 4:44 ►
So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.
Study Bible
and they ate
This phrase signifies the miraculous provision of food, reminiscent of God's provision for the Israelites in the wilderness. The Hebrew root for "ate" is "אָכַל" (akal), which implies not just the act of eating but also satisfaction and fulfillment. This reflects God's ability to meet the needs of His people abundantly. Historically, this event occurs during a time of famine, highlighting the contrast between human scarcity and divine abundance.

and had some left over
The phrase "had some left over" underscores the superabundance of God's provision. The Hebrew word "יָתַר" (yathar) means to remain or be left over, indicating that God's blessings exceed immediate needs. This is a precursor to the New Testament miracles of Jesus feeding the multitudes, showing continuity in God's character and His care for His people. It serves as a reminder that God's resources are not limited by human constraints.

according to the word of the LORD
This phrase emphasizes the authority and reliability of God's word. The Hebrew term "דְּבַר" (dabar) for "word" signifies not just spoken words but also promises and decrees. The fulfillment of God's word in this context demonstrates His faithfulness and the power of His promises. Historically, the prophets were seen as the mouthpieces of God, and this miracle validates Elisha's role as a true prophet. It reassures believers that God's word is trustworthy and will accomplish what it is sent to do, as seen throughout the biblical narrative.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elisha
A prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. Known for performing miracles and being a conduit of God's power and provision.

2. The Servant
An unnamed servant of Elisha who is instructed to distribute the food to the people.

3. The Sons of the Prophets
A group of prophets or disciples who were under the tutelage of Elisha, often in need of sustenance and guidance.

4. Gilgal
A location in Israel where this event takes place, often associated with prophetic activity and divine encounters.

5. The Miracle of Multiplication
The event where a small amount of food is miraculously multiplied to feed many, demonstrating God's provision.
Teaching Points
God's Provision is Abundant
Just as God provided more than enough for the sons of the prophets, He is able to meet our needs abundantly.

Faith in God's Word
Elisha acted on the word of the LORD, demonstrating that faith in God's promises leads to miraculous outcomes.

God Uses Ordinary Means
The miracle was performed using ordinary food, showing that God often uses simple means to accomplish His purposes.

Trust in God's Timing
The provision came at the right time for those in need, reminding us to trust in God's perfect timing for our needs.

Community and Sharing
The miracle involved sharing among a community, highlighting the importance of generosity and fellowship in the body of Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Elisha's miracle of multiplication in 2 Kings 4:44 encourage us to trust in God's provision in our daily lives?

2. In what ways can we see parallels between Elisha's actions and Jesus' feeding of the five thousand? How does this enhance our understanding of God's character?

3. How can we apply the principle of sharing and community from this passage in our own church or community settings?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in a surprising or miraculous way. How did it impact your faith?

5. How can we cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust in God's provision, even when resources seem scarce? What scriptures can we meditate on to reinforce this trust?
Connections to Other Scriptures
John 6:1-14
The feeding of the five thousand by Jesus, which parallels Elisha's miracle, showing continuity in God's provision through His servants.

Exodus 16
The provision of manna in the wilderness, illustrating God's ability to provide for His people in miraculous ways.

Matthew 6:11
The Lord's Prayer, where Jesus teaches us to ask for our daily bread, emphasizing reliance on God's provision.

Philippians 4:19
Paul's assurance that God will supply all needs according to His riches in glory, reinforcing the theme of divine provision.
Sermons
Hard TimesJ. Murray.2 Kings 4:38-44
Ministries to Man, Good and BadHomilist2 Kings 4:38-44
Ministries to Man, Good and BadD. Thomas 2 Kings 4:38-44
The Famine in GilgalJ. Robertson.2 Kings 4:38-44
Beneficence2 Kings 4:42-44
Love to Our NeighbourF. W. Farrar, D. D.2 Kings 4:42-44
Punctual LoveA. Maclaren, D. D.2 Kings 4:42-44
The Farmer's GiftT. Champness.2 Kings 4:42-44
The Loaves MultipliedC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 4:42-44
The People's Needs ProvidedJ. Robertson.2 Kings 4:42-44
The Twenty Barley LoavesJ. Orr 2 Kings 4:42-44
People
Elisha, Gehazi
Places
Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, Shunem
Topics
Ate, Eat, Giveth, Leave, Meal, Thereof
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 4:40-44

     1416   miracles, nature of

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 Scripture

A 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

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