DBG - April 27 - II Kings 4-6

In this chapter, Elisha ministers to the needs of the sons of the prophets and other faithful friends.

vs. 1-7 – A widow of one of the sons of the prophets is in distress over a debt that must be repaid. The creditor is prepared to exercise his right to take her sons into bond service to pay the debt (see Leviticus 25:39-42).  The oil itself was that type used for hygiene, not high enough quality for food.  While there seems to be nothing untoward about the debt, it is a great reminder of the dangers of debt.

vs. 8-17 – Shunem (“double resting-place”) was a village a few miles north of Jezreel on the southwestern side of Mount Moreh. As Elisha travelled by this village a wealthy woman mas moved to bless the prophet. She had an addition added to their home to give him a room to stay in when he travelled through. This room was furnished with not just a bed but also a table and chair so that the prophet could stay and work.  Note vs. 13 where Elisha says that he has the power to speak to the king and general on behalf of the woman. The place of the prophets has elevated significantly. God rewards the kindness paid to Elisha by giving the woman a son.

vs. 18-37 – Chronologically there may be a jump in time here. The story and others are likely placed here thematically as the miracles of Elisha are grouped together. Most commentators believe that the unnamed son suffered a sun stroke. The woman travels around 20 miles to reach Elisha at Carmel. Elisha’s servant Gehazi (“valley of vision”) is sent ahead but the boy is dead.  Gehazi has not the spiritual power to help.  Elisha somewhat follows the example of Elijah’s raising of the widow’s son at Zarephath. 

vs. 38-41 – One of the sons of the prophets makes a mistake and puts a dangerous gourd into their pottage. The type of gourd that was used in the poisonous pottage was likely the Citrullus colocynthis, which is known by many names including colocynth, bitter apple, or bitter cucumber.  Elisha has them put flour into the pottage and it is made wholesome. While adding flour might make a small difference in the bitter flavor, this transformation is truly miraculous.

vs. 42-44 – A man brings a gift of barley cakes and grain to the school of the prophets.  It is not enough to feed all the students, but God miraculously multiples the gift to meet the need.

In this chapter the Syrian general Naaman is cured of his leprosy.

vs. 1-7 – This event is also further along chronologically but placed here thematically. Reese dates it to 875 B.C.  See II Kings 10:29-33 for probable setting.  Evidently lepers were not the societal outcasts in Syria as they were in Israel. Naaman (“pleasantness”) maintains his position as general in the Syrian army. Carroll thinks that he had gained favor in defending against Assyrian incursions.  The gift that is sent with Naaman is 10 talents of silver ($220,635), 6,000 shekels of gold ($4,032,340), and ten changes of clothes.  The king of Israel is unnamed but is perhaps Jehu. This would make sense that he does not know of Elisha since he has not had experience with him.

vs. 8-14 – Whatever Naaman’s expectations were (and they would have pluralistic and pagan), nothing about the encounter goes the way Naaman expects. Elisha communicates with him through a messenger. No dramatic miracle. Just a command to go and dip in the Jordan River seven times. Naaman finally submits to the command after his servants intercede.

vs. 15-27 – The request for soil in vs. 17 was probably intended to be used as altar or shrine when Naaman returned home.  Though Elisha refused any payment or honor for aiding Naaman, Gehazi’s greed causes him to chase after Naaman and take a reward dishonestly. Gehazi received two garments and two talents of silver. For his greed and dishonesty, Gehazi receives Naaman’s leprosy as judgement. 

In this chapter the Syrian threat grows and Samaria is besieged.

vs. 1-7 – The school of the prophets was growing, and a new location was planned. The students went out to cut lumber, and in the process a borrowed axe head flew off its handle and landed in the river. The need is highlighted in that it was borrowed. We have already seen that these sons of the prophets were not wealthy by any stretch. In all likelihood the one that lost the axe head would have to work off his debt in replacing the cost of it. As so often happens with Biblical miracles, a “sign” element is used that is not the cause of the miracle. The bitter waters of Mara could have been cleansed without tossing a tree into them, but God added a human element to the miracle (Exodus 15:25). So here, where Elijah casts in a stick, not to fetch the axe head but to draw attention to the miracle that was about to take place. The axe head was not caught; it swam up and was able to be retrieved.

vs. 8-23 – The Syrians are at war with Israel again. Multiple times Jehoram was delivered from Syrian attacks by warning from the prophet. The Syrian king sends a great force at night to capture Elisha at Dothan (“two wells”). The next morning the town awoke to find themselves surrounded by the Syrian forces. Elisha’s servant (Gehazi?) panicked and ran to his master with the news. Elisha prayed that the servant’s eyes to be opened, and then he saw the angelic forces that had the Syrians surrounded. God was in control and Psalm 34:7 was proven true.  Elisha leads the blinded Syrians into Samaria, some ten miles away. King Jehoram wanted very much to kill the prisoners. Instead, Elisha told him to “kill them with kindness” by feeding them and letting them go. This humiliating loss by the Syrians caused them to stop sending raiding parties into Israel. As we will see in the next section, the next invasion would be massive.

vs. 24-33 - Benhadad II returns with his mighty army and besieges Samaria. It was a time of famine, so food was scarce to begin with. As the siege wore on, food became extremely scarce. The head of a donkey – the least desirable part of the least desirable animal – was sold for 80 shekels, or $668.37 A quarter of a cab (roughly 1 cup) of “dove’s dung” sold for 5 shekels, or $42 (I do believe that is literally what it is not and some plant that would have been impossible to forage when under siege). Jehoram finally breaks down when he hears two women discussing eating their own babies. Jehoram blames Elisha and God for their misfortune and pledges to kill the prophet. God warns Elisha of the king’s plan. The messenger that was sent is halted at the door until the king arrives. The last words of vs. 33 appear to be the king’s words, even if delivered from the messenger. He blames God for what is happening and says he cannot wait any longer for God to move.  The story continues in the next chapter.

One of the fascinating aspects of the ministries of Elijah and Elisha is their involvement with the training of other prophets.  Many believe that Samuel was the founder of this training system, whose students are often called “sons of the prophets”.  It shows a great emphasis was placed on the training of God’s prophets.  Yes, prophets could arise from anywhere at any time.  God can certainly work that way.  But God so often calls men and women to tasks that they must prepare themselves for through discipline and study.  We should never dismiss the importance of such preparation.

Our hymn today is “Unseen By Then a Glorious Host” by Thomas MacKellar, first published in 1889.  It is inspired by the unseen angels that Elisha revealed to his servant and bids us to rest in God’s care.

Unseen by them, a glorious host

About God's people stand:

The heavenly watchers hold the post

At his supreme command.

There is no child of God too high

To need their constant care,

And none too deep in poverty

Their daily help to share.

When loved ones go, and earth is lone,

As if no friend were near,

Then unseen angels from the throne

Bring helpful words of cheer.

The sun of hope breaks through our gloom,

And wondering whence it came,

We start, like Mary at the tomb

When Jesus call'd her name.

Say, who can snatch from God away

His blood-redeemed ones?

And who the heavenward course can stay

Of God Almighty's sons