Topical Bible: Poor: Kindness to Prophet's Widow

◄ Poor: Kindness to Prophet's Widow ►

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In the biblical narrative, the theme of kindness to the poor is vividly illustrated in the account of the prophet's widow, found in 2 Kings 4:1-7. This account highlights God's compassion and provision for those in dire need, as well as the importance of community support and obedience to divine instruction.

The widow in this account was the wife of a prophet who had served under Elisha. Her husband had died, leaving her in a state of financial distress. The severity of her situation is underscored by the fact that a creditor was threatening to take her two sons as slaves to settle the debt. In her desperation, the widow turned to Elisha, the man of God, for help.

Elisha's response to the widow's plight is a testament to the biblical principle of caring for the poor and vulnerable. He asked her, "What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" (2 Kings 4:2). The widow replied that she had nothing but a small jar of oil. This exchange highlights the widow's destitution, as well as her willingness to seek divine intervention through the prophet.

Elisha instructed her to borrow empty vessels from her neighbors, emphasizing the need for community involvement and support. He then told her to pour the oil into all the vessels, setting aside each one when it was full. The widow obeyed, and miraculously, the oil multiplied until all the vessels were filled. Elisha then instructed her to sell the oil, pay off her debts, and live on the remainder with her sons (2 Kings 4:3-7).

This miraculous provision underscores several key biblical themes. First, it demonstrates God's concern for the poor and His willingness to intervene in their lives. The multiplication of the oil is a powerful reminder of God's ability to provide abundantly beyond human limitations. Second, the account highlights the importance of faith and obedience. The widow's trust in Elisha's instructions and her active participation in the miracle were crucial to the outcome.

Furthermore, the involvement of the community in lending vessels to the widow illustrates the biblical call for believers to support one another, especially those in need. The widow's neighbors played a vital role in the miracle by providing the means through which God's provision could be realized.

In summary, the account of the prophet's widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 serves as a profound example of God's kindness to the poor and His call for His people to act with compassion and generosity. It encourages believers to trust in God's provision, to obey His guidance, and to actively participate in supporting those who are vulnerable and in need.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 4:1-7
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take to him my two sons to be slaves.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

1 John iii. 18-Sep
... of my goods I give to the poor; and if I ... could He to whom angels ministered require
these men's kindness? ... man's reward: and he that receiveth a prophet in the ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily v 1 john iii.htm

Letter Lxxi. To Lucinius.
... early day he is already fulfilling the prophet David's words ... 5. As for my poor works
which from no merits of theirs but simply from your own kindness you say ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxi to lucinius.htm

Election no Discouragement to Seeking Souls
... in accordance with the principles of kindness, seeing he ... an Israelitish widow, but
to a poor idolatress across ... border, the blessing of the prophet's company is ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/election no discouragement to seeking.htm

Book I.
... The poor too wept, and, which is of much more worth ... He wept in that which the prophet
this day brought to ... And, indeed, so great kindness seems to me to merit no ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book i.htm

Letter cxxx. To Demetrias.
... thus alone will you be able with the prophet to say ... to draw from them larger sums
for the relief of the poor. ... I ought to warn you, in all kindness and affection ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxx to demetrias.htm

Jeremiah
... He who exercises "loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in ... But the faithful
prophet was daily strengthened to ... delivered the soul of the poor from the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 34 jeremiah.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... without food herself that she might feed the prophet. ... the coins should be distributed
among the poor; others that ... the luxury of cities nor a mother's kindness. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Lydia, the First European Convert
... did the Lord speak through Isaiah the prophet unto the ... Hear it, poor, despairing
sinner, whose prayer has seemed ... you marvel at the Lord's loving-kindness to you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/lydia the first european convert.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... their present masters, as an act of kindness, redeem them ... those judgments, which
it requires no prophet's eye to ... you who will plead for the poor devoted slave? ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... 544; loss of, how a punishment; how a kindness, [626]544. ... figured by Jacob,
[792]492; Himself a Prophet, [793]494 ... made poor for our sakes, [800]535; poor of, ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm