◄ 2 Kings 4 ►
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The Widow’s Oil 1Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” 2“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.” 3“Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. 4Then go inside, shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these jars, setting the full ones aside.” 5So she left him, and after she had shut the door behind her and her sons, they kept bringing jars to her, and she kept pouring. 6When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another.” But he replied, “There are no more jars.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt. Then you and your sons can live on the remainder.” The Shunammite Woman (Matthew 10:40–42) 8One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat. 9Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.” 11One day Elisha came to visit and went to his upper room to lie down. 12And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call the Shunammite woman.” And when he had called her, she stood before him, 13and Elisha said to Gehazi, “Now tell her, ‘Look, you have gone to all this trouble for us. What can we do for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’” “I have a home among my own people,” she replied. 14So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?” “Well, she has no son,” Gehazi replied, “and her husband is old.” 15“Call her,” said Elisha. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.” 17But the woman did conceive, and at that time the next year she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her. Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son (Acts 20:7–12) 18And the child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the harvesters. 19“My head! My head!” he complained to his father. So his father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20After the servant had picked him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God. Then she shut the door and went out. 22And the woman called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may go quickly to the man of God and return.” 23“Why would you go to him today?” he replied. “It is not a New Moon or a Sabbath.” “Everything is all right,” she said. 24Then she saddled the donkey and told her servant, “Drive onward; do not slow the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25So she set out and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, there is the Shunammite woman. 26Please run out now to meet her and ask, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’” And she answered, “Everything is all right.” 27When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 28Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” 29So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment,a take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.” 30And the mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her. 31Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.” 32When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. 33So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. 34Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. 35Elisha turned away and paced back and forth across the room. Then he got on the bed and stretched himself out over the boy again, and the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. 36Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite woman.” So he called her and she came. Then Elisha said, “Pick up your son.” 37She came in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out. Elisha Purifies the Poisonous Stew 38When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.” 39One of them went out to the field to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. 40And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it. 41Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot. Feeding a Hundred Men (Matthew 15:29–39; Mark 8:1–10) 42Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. 43But 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.’” 44So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD. Footnotes: 29 a Literally Gird up your loins Berean Standard Bible (BSB) printed 2016, 2020, 2022, 2025 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, unfoldingWord, Bible Aquifer, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. Free downloads and unlimited usage available. See also the Berean Literal Bible and Berean Interlinear Bible. Bible Hub 2 Kings 4 Summary The Widow's Oil Verses 1–7 – The Widow’s Oil Multiplied A prophet’s widow, threatened with the loss of her two sons to a creditor, cries to Elisha. He tells her to borrow as many empty jars as she can, shut the door, and pour her single flask of oil. The oil keeps flowing until every jar is full. She sells the oil, pays the debt, and lives on the remainder. Verses 8–17 – Hospitality Rewarded: The Shunammite’s Son Promised In Shunem, a notable woman and her husband regularly host Elisha and even build a small upper room for him. Elisha, wanting to bless her, promises that within a year she will embrace a son; the promise is fulfilled. Verses 18–37 – Death and Resurrection of the Shunammite’s Son Years later the boy suddenly dies. His mother rides to Carmel, refuses to leave Elisha, and brings him home. Elisha prays, stretches himself on the child, and “the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.” Life is restored, and the mother falls at Elisha’s feet in gratitude. Verses 38–41 – Poison in the Pot Neutralized During a famine at Gilgal, some stew made from wild gourds proves poisonous. Elisha throws flour into the pot and declares it safe. “And there was nothing harmful in the pot” (v. 41). Verses 42–44 – Loaves Multiplied for a Hundred A man from Baal-shalishah brings Elisha twenty barley loaves and fresh grain. Elisha orders the loaves shared among a hundred men. “They ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD” (v. 44). 2 Kings 4 brings to light the compassionate and miraculous ministry of the prophet Elisha. Amidst adversity, faithfulness is rewarded, prayers are answered, and the impossible becomes possible, illuminating God's boundless love and power. Historical Setting • Elisha’s ministry (c. 848–797 BC) spans the reigns of Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Joash in the northern kingdom. • Prophets’ guilds (“sons of the prophets,” 2 Kings 4:1, 38) formed communities devoted to teaching God’s word amid rampant Baal worship. • Shunem sits on the slope of the Jezreel Valley, a fertile agricultural zone; Gilgal lies near Jericho, often hosting prophet gatherings. Social and Legal Background • Debt slavery: Exodus 21:7; Leviticus 25:39; and Nehemiah 5:5 explain how creditors legally seized children as payment. Elisha’s miracle breaks this cycle. • Hospitality: In Near-Eastern culture, providing food, shelter, and protection was an honored duty. The Shunammite woman models this (compare Genesis 18:1-8; Hebrews 13:2). • Upper room: Archaeology at sites like Megiddo shows small exterior staircases leading to rooftop chambers—quiet guest quarters similar to the prophet’s room. Miracles and Faith Widow’s oil: Elisha uses what she already has, multiplying it behind closed doors—highlighting private faith before public blessing. Resurrection: Like Elijah at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-24), Elisha prays and physically identifies with the dead child, indicating earnest intercession and dependence on God, not technique. Poison removed: God cares about daily needs, not just grand crises. Loaves multiplied: The sequence—receive, command distribution, leftovers—echoes Jesus feeding the multitudes (Matthew 14:13-21). Archaeological Insights • Oil trade: Stone presses and clay flasks from ninth-century strata at Hazor show olive oil as a common commodity, easily sold in local markets. • Barley loaves: Carbonized barley bread loaves discovered at Tel Rehov date to this period, matching the text’s everyday detail. • Domestic pottery: The widow’s “vessels” (Hebrew, empty earthen jars) align with mass-produced storage jars unearthed at Samaria and Tirzah. Connections Across Scripture • Provision: 1 Kings 17:8-16 (Elijah’s flour and oil), Philippians 4:19 (“My God will supply all your needs”). • Resurrection previews: 2 Kings 13:21; Luke 7:11-17 (widow’s son at Nain); John 11 (Lazarus); 1 Corinthians 15:20 (Christ as firstfruits). • Small offerings multiplied: John 6:1-13 (five loaves, two fish). • Flour as agent of purification: Exodus 15:23-25 (bitter water sweetened with wood). Christ-Centered Foreshadowing • Elisha’s name means “God is salvation,” echoing Jesus (“Yeshua,” “Yahweh saves”). • Multiplying bread and giving life point toward Jesus, who called Himself “the bread of life” (John 6:35) and “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). • The closed-door oil miracle parallels private moments like Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37-43), underscoring that divine power is not a public spectacle. Practical Takeaways • Bring needs to God first; He often starts with what is already in hand. • Generous hospitality invites unforeseen blessing. • Persistent faith refuses to settle for partial answers (the Shunammite bypassed Gehazi and clung to Elisha). • God’s supply exceeds demand—there were jars left, stew made wholesome, and bread left over. • Every miracle ultimately points beyond itself to God’s character: compassionate, powerful, and present in the ordinary. Connections to Additional Scriptures 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. Teaching Points 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). Practical Applications 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. People 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. Places 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." Events 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. Lessons from 2 Kings 4 1. The Power of Faith and Obedience In 2 Kings 4, we see the widow's faith in action as she follows Elisha's instructions to gather empty jars. Her obedience to God's word through the prophet results in a miraculous provision of oil. This story reminds us that faith, when coupled with obedience, can lead to divine intervention. As James 2:17 says, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." Trusting God and acting on His word can open the door to His blessings. 2. God's Provision Knows No Limits The widow's oil did not stop flowing until every jar was filled. This illustrates that God's provision is abundant and limitless. Philippians 4:19 assures us, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." When we rely on God, He provides beyond our expectations, meeting our needs in ways we might not foresee. 3. The Importance of Seeking Godly Counsel The widow sought Elisha's guidance in her time of need, demonstrating the value of seeking wisdom from those who walk closely with God. Proverbs 11:14 tells us, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." Surrounding ourselves with godly mentors can help us navigate life's challenges with wisdom and grace. 4. God Cares for the Vulnerable The story of the widow and her sons highlights God's compassion for those in distress. Psalm 68:5 describes God as "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows." This passage reassures us that God is attentive to the needs of the vulnerable and is always ready to provide comfort and support. 5. Miracles Happen in Everyday Life Elisha's miracles, from multiplying oil to raising the Shunammite's son, show that God's power is not confined to grand events. He works in the ordinary moments of life. As Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." We should remain open to seeing God's hand in our daily experiences. 6. Hospitality Opens Doors to Blessings The Shunammite woman’s hospitality towards Elisha led to the blessing of a long-desired son. Hebrews 13:2 encourages us, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Welcoming others into our lives can lead to unexpected blessings and divine encounters. 7. God Honors Our Desires The Shunammite woman did not ask for a son, yet God granted her heart's unspoken desire. Psalm 37:4 promises, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." When we align our hearts with God's will, He often fulfills our deepest longings in His perfect timing. 8. Persistence in Prayer When the Shunammite's son died, she persistently sought Elisha, refusing to leave without him. Her determination reflects the power of persistent prayer. Luke 18:1 encourages us to "always pray and not give up." God hears our cries and responds to our faith-filled persistence. 9. God Restores Life Elisha's raising of the Shunammite's son is a powerful testament to God's ability to restore life. John 11:25 reminds us, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies." This miracle foreshadows the ultimate resurrection through Christ, offering hope of eternal life to all believers. 10. God's Word is Reliable Throughout 2 Kings 4, God's promises through Elisha are fulfilled, demonstrating the reliability of His word. Isaiah 55:11 assures us, "So is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." We can trust that God's word is true and will come to pass in our lives. Topics 1. The Widow’s Oil Multiplied In 2 Kings 4:1-7, a widow of a prophet seeks Elisha's help as her sons are about to be taken as slaves to pay off her debts. Elisha instructs her to gather empty vessels and pour her small amount of oil into them. Miraculously, the oil multiplies until all the vessels are filled, allowing her to sell the oil and pay her debts. This account highlights God's provision and the importance of faith and obedience. The Hebrew word for "vessel" (כְּלִי, ^keli^) emphasizes the idea of being a container for God's blessings. 2. The Shunammite Woman’s Hospitality In verses 8-17, a wealthy Shunammite woman shows hospitality to Elisha by providing him with a room. In gratitude, Elisha promises her a son, despite her husband's old age. This narrative underscores the themes of hospitality, reward, and the miraculous power of God. The Hebrew root for "hospitality" (אֹרֵחַ, ^oreach^) conveys the idea of welcoming and providing for a guest. 3. The Shunammite’s Son Restored to Life Verses 18-37 recount the death and miraculous resurrection of the Shunammite woman's son. After the child dies, the woman seeks Elisha, who ultimately raises the boy from the dead. This passage illustrates themes of faith, persistence, and divine intervention. The Hebrew word for "life" (חַיִּים, ^chayim^) is central to understanding the restoration and the power of God over life and death. 4. Elisha Purifies the Deadly Stew In verses 38-41, during a famine, Elisha purifies a pot of stew that had been made with poisonous gourds. By adding flour, the stew becomes safe to eat. This miracle demonstrates God's care and provision even in dire circumstances. The Hebrew term for "purify" (טָהֵר, ^taher^) signifies cleansing and making something acceptable. 5. Feeding a Hundred Men The chapter concludes with verses 42-44, where Elisha feeds a hundred men with twenty loaves of barley and some grain, with food left over. This miracle prefigures the New Testament accounts of Jesus feeding the multitudes. The Hebrew word for "left over" (יָתַר, ^yatar^) emphasizes abundance and God's ability to provide beyond immediate needs. Themes 1. Divine Provision and Miracles This chapter highlights God's provision through miraculous means. The widow's oil is multiplied (2 Kings 4:1-7), demonstrating God's ability to provide abundantly. The Hebrew root for "multiply" (רָבָה, rabah) emphasizes increase and abundance, reflecting God's power to meet needs beyond human limitations. 2. Faith and Obedience The accounts in this chapter underscore the importance of faith and obedience to God's instructions. The widow follows Elisha's guidance without question, and her faith is rewarded with provision. Similarly, the Shunammite woman shows faith by preparing a room for Elisha, leading to the blessing of a son (2 Kings 4:8-17). 3. Hospitality and Generosity The Shunammite woman's hospitality towards Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-10) is a key theme, illustrating the virtue of generosity. Her willingness to provide for the prophet reflects the biblical principle of showing kindness to others, which is often met with divine favor. 4. Resurrection and Restoration The theme of resurrection is evident in the account of the Shunammite's son, whom Elisha raises from the dead (2 Kings 4:32-37). This miracle foreshadows the ultimate resurrection hope in Christian theology. The Hebrew word for "revive" (חָיָה, chayah) signifies bringing back to life, emphasizing God's power over death. 5. God's Compassion and Care Throughout the chapter, God's compassion is evident in His care for individuals in distress. From the widow's financial crisis to the Shunammite's loss, God's interventions show His concern for personal needs and His willingness to act on behalf of His people. 6. Prophetic Authority and Power Elisha's role as a prophet is central, demonstrating the authority and power given to God's messengers. His ability to perform miracles, such as purifying the poisoned stew (2 Kings 4:38-41) and multiplying loaves (2 Kings 4:42-44), underscores the divine authority vested in prophets. 7. Trust in God's Timing The narrative encourages trust in God's timing, as seen in the Shunammite woman's patient waiting for a child and her faith during her son's illness and death. Her account illustrates the belief that God's timing is perfect, even when circumstances seem dire. Prayer Points 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. Answering Tough Questions 1. How could the widow’s oil multiply endlessly (2 Kings 4:1–7) without violating natural laws? 2. Where is the historical or archaeological evidence that any of these miracles in 2 Kings 4 took place? 3. How does the resurrection of the Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4:18–37) align with or contradict other biblical resurrection accounts? 4. Why is there no external corroboration for the miraculous purifying of the stew (2 Kings 4:38–41)? 5. How could only twenty loaves feed a hundred men (2 Kings 4:42–44) if the account is not embellished? Bible Study Discussion Questions 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? Bible Hub Chapter Summaries and Bible Study Questions