But the woman did conceive, and at that time the next year she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her. But the woman did conceiveThis phrase highlights the miraculous nature of the conception, as the woman was previously barren. In the biblical context, barrenness was often seen as a significant challenge and a source of social stigma. The miraculous conception parallels other biblical accounts, such as Sarah ( Genesis 21:1-2) and Hannah ( 1 Samuel 1:19-20), where God intervenes to fulfill His promises. This event underscores God's power to bring life and fulfill His word through His prophets. and at that time the next year
The specific timing emphasizes the accuracy and reliability of prophetic words. In the ancient Near Eastern context, time was often marked by agricultural cycles, and the phrase suggests a full cycle of seasons. This precise fulfillment of prophecy reinforces the authority of Elisha as a true prophet of God, whose words are trustworthy and come to pass as spoken. she gave birth to a son
The birth of a son was particularly significant in ancient Israelite culture, as sons were seen as carriers of the family lineage and inheritors of the family estate. This birth not only brought personal joy to the woman and her husband but also had broader implications for their social standing and future security. The son can be seen as a type of Christ, a miraculous child who brings hope and fulfills divine promises. just as Elisha had told her
This phrase confirms the fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy, highlighting the role of prophets as God's messengers. Elisha, as a successor to Elijah, continues the prophetic tradition of speaking God's truth and demonstrating His power. The fulfillment of his words serves to authenticate his ministry and the divine source of his message. This also connects to the broader biblical theme of God's faithfulness to His promises, as seen throughout Scripture. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. Known for his miracles and deep faith, Elisha plays a central role in this account as the one who prophesies the birth of the son. 2. The Shunammite WomanA notable woman from Shunem who showed hospitality to Elisha. Her faith and kindness are rewarded with the promise and fulfillment of a son. 3. ShunemA town in the territory of Issachar, where the Shunammite woman lived. It serves as the setting for this miraculous event. 4. The Promise of a SonThe event where Elisha promises the Shunammite woman that she will have a son, which is fulfilled in this verse. 5. The Miracle of ConceptionThe miraculous event where the Shunammite woman, previously childless, conceives and bears a son as prophesied by Elisha. Teaching Points Faith in God's PromisesTrust in God's timing and promises, even when circumstances seem impossible. The Shunammite woman's account reminds us that God is faithful to His word. The Power of HospitalityThe Shunammite woman's hospitality to Elisha opened the door for God's blessing. We are encouraged to show kindness and hospitality, as it can lead to unexpected blessings. God's Sovereignty in Life's MiraclesRecognize God's hand in the miraculous events of life. The birth of the Shunammite woman's son was a direct result of divine intervention, reminding us of God's sovereignty. The Role of Prophets and God's WordElisha's role as a prophet emphasizes the importance of listening to and valuing God's word. We should seek to understand and apply biblical teachings in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of the Shunammite woman and Elisha encourage us to trust in God's promises today? 2. In what ways can we practice hospitality in our own lives, and how might this open doors for God's blessings? 3. What are some modern-day "miracles" that remind us of God's sovereignty and power? 4. How can we discern and apply the teachings of God's word, as exemplified by Elisha's prophecy? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in fulfilling a promise. How did this impact your faith journey? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 18:10-14The promise of a son to Sarah parallels the Shunammite woman's account, highlighting God's power to fulfill promises against all odds. 1 Samuel 1:19-20Hannah's prayer and subsequent birth of Samuel echo the theme of God granting a child to a faithful woman. Luke 1:13-17The announcement of John the Baptist's birth to Elizabeth, another miraculous birth, underscores God's ability to intervene in human barrenness. People Elisha, GehaziPlaces Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, ShunemTopics Appointed, Bare, Beareth, Birth, Bore, Child, Conceived, Conceiveth, Elisha, Eli'sha, Named, Round, Season, Spake, SpringDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 4:11-17 5733 pregnancy 2 Kings 4:14-17 1416 miracles, nature of 2 Kings 4:15-17 7773 prophets, role 2 Kings 4:16-17 5061 sanctity of life
5726 old age, attainment 2 Kings 4:16-22 5720 mothers, examples 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 4:17 NIV2 Kings 4:17 NLT2 Kings 4:17 ESV2 Kings 4:17 NASB2 Kings 4:17 KJV
2 Kings 4:17 Commentaries
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