Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, "Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed a seven-year famine, and it has already come to the land." Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to lifeElisha, a prominent prophet in Israel, is known for performing miracles through the power of God. The woman referred to here is the Shunammite woman, who showed hospitality to Elisha and was blessed with a son despite her initial barrenness ( 2 Kings 4:8-17). Elisha later restored her son to life after he died suddenly ( 2 Kings 4:32-37). This miracle prefigures the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, who also raised individuals from the dead, such as Lazarus ( John 11:43-44). The mention of the woman's son being restored to life highlights Elisha's role as a prophet who brings life and hope, similar to the ministry of Jesus. “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can.
Elisha instructs the woman to leave her homeland and live as a foreigner, which implies a significant disruption to her life. This command reflects the biblical theme of obedience to God's word, even when it requires sacrifice or hardship. Living as a foreigner would have been challenging, as it involved leaving behind familiar surroundings and possibly facing hostility or discrimination in a new land. This situation is reminiscent of Abraham's call to leave his country and go to a land God would show him (Genesis 12:1). It also foreshadows the Christian call to live as "foreigners and exiles" in the world (1 Peter 2:11), emphasizing the transient nature of earthly life compared to eternal life with God. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.”
The seven-year famine is a divine judgment or test, similar to other famines in biblical history, such as the one during Joseph's time in Egypt (Genesis 41:27). Famine often serves as a tool for God to bring about repentance or to fulfill His purposes. The number seven is significant in the Bible, often symbolizing completeness or perfection, indicating that this famine is part of God's perfect plan. The decree of the LORD underscores His sovereignty over nature and history, reminding believers of God's ultimate control over all circumstances. This event also points to the importance of heeding prophetic warnings and trusting in God's provision, as seen in the provision for Elijah during a previous famine (1 Kings 17:1-16). Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. Known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the kings of Israel. 2. The Shunammite WomanA woman from Shunem whose son Elisha had previously restored to life. She is a figure of faith and obedience. 3. The FamineA seven-year period of scarcity decreed by the LORD, affecting the land and its people. 4. The LORDThe sovereign God who decrees events and guides His people through His prophets. 5. The LandRefers to the region of Israel, which is subject to the famine as part of God's divine plan. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and ProvisionGod is in control of all events, including famines. He provides guidance and protection to those who trust in Him, as seen in His warning to the Shunammite woman through Elisha. Faith and ObedienceThe Shunammite woman's response to Elisha's warning demonstrates her faith and obedience. Believers are called to trust and act upon God's guidance, even when it requires significant change or sacrifice. The Role of ProphetsProphets in the Bible serve as God's messengers, revealing His will and guiding His people. Today, believers can seek God's guidance through Scripture and prayer. Preparation for TrialsJust as the Shunammite woman was warned to prepare for the famine, believers should be spiritually prepared for trials, trusting in God's provision and timing. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 8:1 demonstrate the importance of listening to God's guidance through His prophets? 2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty in the events of 2 Kings 8:1, and how does this encourage us in our own lives? 3. How does the Shunammite woman's obedience to Elisha's warning serve as an example for us when facing difficult decisions or uncertain futures? 4. What parallels can we draw between the seven-year famine in 2 Kings 8:1 and other biblical accounts of famine, such as in Genesis 41, and what lessons can we learn from these events? 5. How can we apply the principle of being spiritually prepared for trials, as seen in the Shunammite woman's account, to our own lives today? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 4:8-37This passage recounts the account of Elisha raising the Shunammite woman's son from the dead, establishing the relationship between Elisha and the woman. Genesis 41:25-36Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dream about seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, showing a pattern of God using famine for His purposes. Amos 3:7This verse highlights that God reveals His plans to His prophets, as seen in Elisha's warning to the Shunammite woman. People Ahab, Ahaziah, Aram, Athaliah, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, David, Edomites, Elisha, Gehazi, Hadad, Hazael, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jezreel, Joram, Omri, SyriansPlaces Damascus, Edom, Jerusalem, Jezreel, Libnah, Ramah, Ramoth-gilead, Samaria, Syria, ZairTopics Able, Arise, Canst, Decreed, Depart, Elisha, Eli'sha, Family, Famine, Household, Living-place, Restored, Revived, Rise, Saying, Seven, Sojourn, Spake, Spoke, Spoken, Stay, Wheresoever, Wherever, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 8:1-2 4823 famine, physical 2 Kings 8:1-6 5492 restitution Library The Story of Hazael
'So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 10. And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die. 11. And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. 12. And Hazael said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureHazael
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?"--2 KINGS viii. 13. Hazael was the chief minister and prime favourite of Benhadad, the Syrian king. He had been raised from a humble lot and promoted to that high post by the partiality of his sovereign, who had doubtless discerned his exceptional abilities, and certainly placed implicit trust in him. Just now the king was dangerously ill, and Hazael had been sent to inquire of the prophet of Israel …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone]. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity 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 8:1 NIV2 Kings 8:1 NLT2 Kings 8:1 ESV2 Kings 8:1 NASB2 Kings 8:1 KJV
2 Kings 8:1 Commentaries
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