The Widow's Oil (2 Kings 4:1-7)
The widow's dire situation: Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. Now the creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves (2 Kings 4:1).
Elisha's instruction to gather empty vessels: Go, borrow empty vessels from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few (2 Kings 4:3).
The miracle of multiplication: When all the vessels were full, she said to her son, 'Bring me another vessel.' But he replied, 'There are no more vessels.' Then the oil stopped flowing (2 Kings 4:6).

The Shunammite Woman's Son (2 Kings 4:8-37)
The Shunammite woman's hospitality: Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp there for him (2 Kings 4:10).
The promise of a son: About this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms (2 Kings 4:16).
The son's death and miraculous restoration: The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes (2 Kings 4:35).

The Poisoned Stew (2 Kings 4:38-41)
The problem of the poisoned stew: O man of God, there is death in the pot! (2 Kings 4:40).
Elisha's solution: Bring some flour. He threw it into the pot and said, 'Serve it to the people to eat.' And there was nothing harmful in the pot (2 Kings 4:41).

The Feeding of a Hundred (2 Kings 4:42-44)
The provision of bread: Give it to the people to eat (2 Kings 4:42).
The miracle of abundance: They will eat and have some left over (2 Kings 4:43).Trust God to provide in times of need, even when the situation seems impossible.
Practice hospitality and generosity, as seen in the Shunammite woman's example.
Seek God's wisdom and intervention in solving problems, just as Elisha did with the poisoned stew.
Recognize that God can multiply our resources to meet the needs of others.1. Elisha
Elisha is the central prophet in this chapter, performing miracles and serving as a man of God. He is a successor to Elijah and plays a significant role in the narratives of the Kings. The Hebrew root of his name, אֱלִישָׁע (Elisha), means "God is salvation."

2. The Widow of a Prophet
This woman approaches Elisha for help because her deceased husband, who was a prophet, left debts that threaten her sons with slavery. Her faith and obedience lead to a miraculous provision of oil.

3. The Widow's Sons
The sons of the widow are at risk of being taken as slaves to pay off their father's debts. They assist their mother in gathering vessels for the miraculous multiplication of oil.

4. The Shunammite Woman
A wealthy and hospitable woman from Shunem who provides Elisha with food and a place to stay. Her kindness is rewarded with the promise and birth of a son.

5. The Shunammite Woman's Husband
He is mentioned in the context of the Shunammite woman's interactions with Elisha, particularly when she seeks his permission to build a room for the prophet.

6. The Shunammite Woman's Son
The child promised by Elisha to the Shunammite woman. He later falls ill and dies, but is miraculously brought back to life by Elisha.

7. Gehazi
Elisha's servant who assists him throughout the chapter. Gehazi plays a role in the interactions with the Shunammite woman and her son.1. Shunem
Shunem is a town in the territory of Issachar. It is where a notable woman lived who showed hospitality to Elisha by providing him with a room to stay whenever he passed through. The Hebrew root for Shunem is "שׁוּנֵם" (Shunem), which is associated with a place of rest or quiet.

2. Gilgal
Gilgal is mentioned as a place where Elisha returned to, and it is where he performed the miracle of purifying a pot of stew. Gilgal, from the Hebrew "גִּלְגָּל" (Gilgal), is often associated with a circle of stones and has historical significance as a site of Israelite encampment and religious activity.

3. Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel is referenced when the Shunammite woman seeks out Elisha after the death of her son. Elisha is found on Mount Carmel, a location known for its lush vegetation and as a site of significant prophetic activity, including Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal. The Hebrew "כַּרְמֶל" (Karmel) means "garden" or "vineyard of God."1. The Widow's Oil Multiplied (2 Kings 4:1-7)
A widow of a prophet cries out to Elisha for help because her creditor is coming to take her two sons as slaves. Elisha asks her what she has in her house, and she replies, "Your servant has nothing there at all except a small jar of olive oil" (v. 2). Elisha instructs her to borrow empty vessels from her neighbors and pour her oil into them. The oil miraculously multiplies until all the vessels are full. She sells the oil, pays her debts, and lives on the remainder. The Hebrew word for "jar" (אָסוּךְ, 'asuk) emphasizes the smallness of her initial resource, highlighting the miracle.

2. The Shunammite Woman's Hospitality and Promise of a Son (2 Kings 4:8-17)
Elisha frequently passes through Shunem, where a wealthy woman offers him hospitality. She and her husband build a small room for him on their roof. In gratitude, Elisha promises her a son, despite her husband's old age. The Hebrew term for "old" (זָקֵן, 'zaqen) underscores the improbability of the promise. The woman conceives and bears a son the following year, as Elisha had said.

3. The Shunammite's Son Restored to Life (2 Kings 4:18-37)
The child grows and one day complains of a headache while with his father in the fields. He is taken to his mother and dies on her lap. The woman lays him on Elisha's bed and sets out to find the prophet. Elisha returns with her, prays to the LORD, and stretches himself over the child, who sneezes seven times and opens his eyes. The Hebrew word for "sneeze" (עָטַשׁ, 'atash) is unique in the Old Testament, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the child's revival.

4. The Poisonous Stew Made Edible (2 Kings 4:38-41)
During a famine, Elisha instructs his servant to prepare a stew for the prophets. One of them unknowingly adds wild gourds, making the stew poisonous. The prophets cry out, "There is death in the pot!" (v. 40). Elisha throws flour into the pot, and the stew becomes safe to eat. The Hebrew word for "death" (מָוֶת, 'mavet) indicates the severity of the situation, which is miraculously resolved.

5. Feeding a Hundred Men (2 Kings 4:42-44)
A man from Baal-shalishah brings Elisha twenty loaves of barley bread and some ears of grain. Elisha instructs his servant to give it to the people to eat. The servant questions how so little can feed a hundred men, but Elisha insists, "For this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have some left over'" (v. 43). The food is distributed, and there is indeed some left over, fulfilling the word of the LORD. The Hebrew root for "left over" (יָתַר, 'yatar) signifies abundance beyond expectation.Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

John 6:9-13
The feeding of the five thousand, illustrating God's ability to multiply resources.Pray for faith to trust in God's provision and timing.
Ask for a heart of generosity and hospitality towards others.
Seek God's wisdom in addressing challenges and problems in life.
Thank God for His miraculous power and provision in our lives.

1. How does the widow's story in verses 1-7 encourage us to trust in God's provision during desperate times?

2. What lessons can we learn from the Shunammite woman's hospitality towards Elisha?

3. How does the restoration of the Shunammite's son reflect God's power over life and death?

4. Discuss the significance of faith and patience in seeing God's miracles, as seen in the chapter.

5. How can we apply the lessons learned from the miracle of the poisonous stew in our everyday lives?

6. What does Elisha's response to the poisonous stew teach us about dealing with unexpected crises?

7. How does the multiplication of loaves illustrate God's ability to provide abundantly?

8. How does Elisha's life encourage you in your walk of faith?

9. What role does prayer play in the miracles performed by Elisha?

10. How would you respond if you were in the widow's situation today?

11. How does the Shunammite woman's response to her son's death reflect her faith in God's power?

12. If you were Gehazi, how would you react to Elisha's instructions and the miracles you witnessed?

13. How does this chapter challenge our perception of what is possible with God?

14. How can we cultivate the same kind of faith and trust in God demonstrated by Elisha?

15. What does this chapter teach us about God's timing in answering our prayers?

16. How can we demonstrate the same level of hospitality shown by the Shunammite woman in our modern society?

17. How does Elisha's response to the Shunammite woman's kindness reflect God's desire to bless those who bless others?

18. What strategies can we apply today to ensure we don't run out of faith during times of uncertainty, much like the widow's jar of oil?

19. Discuss the importance of obedience as exemplified by Elisha's instructions in the various miracles.

20. How can we apply the principles we've learned from this chapter in dealing with personal crises, setbacks or financial difficulties today?