Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Kings 4

NOw there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto El sha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD : and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bond-men .

Who, though they were wholly devoted to Sacred employment, were not excluded from Marriage, no more than the Priests and Levites.

His poverty therefore was not procured by his idleness, or prodigality, or rather, wickedness; but by his Piety, because he would not comply with the Kings way of worship, and therefore lost all worldly advantages.

Either, to use them as his slaves, or to sell them to others, according to his Law. Of which see Exod. 21. 2. Levit. 25. 39. Isa. 50. 1. Matth. 18. 25.

2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee ? Tell me, what hast thou in the house ? And she said, Thine hand-maid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil .

How shall I relieve thee, who am my self poor?

Which may contribute to the Payment of thy Debts, or, at least, to the satisfaction of thy Creditors, who may perchance deal favourably with thee through my persuasion.

Which was useful for divers things about the Service of God, and health, or delight, or ornament, and other uses of men. See Iudg. 9. 9.

4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee , and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

Partly, that none may hinder thee from minding thy work of filling and removing the Vessels, which will require attention and diligence: partly, that thou alone maist enjoy the benefit of it: partly, lest any of thy Creditors should break in upon thee, and seize upon thy borrowed Vessels before they are filled: partly, that thy mind being freed from distraction, may be wholly employed in Prayer and Praising of God: and partly, that it may be manifest that this is the work of God alone.

Out of the Pot, in which God multiplied the Oil from time to time.

6 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 .

To one of them: for she had two, v. 1.

To teach us, that we should not waste any of Gods Good Creatures; and that God would not work Miracles unnecessarily.

7 Then she came and told the man of God: and he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest .

First do Justice to others, and then take care of thy self and Children.

Marginal references: Or, creditor.

8 ¶ And it [illegible: 1+ letters]ell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem , where was a great woman ; and she constrained him to eat bread . And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

A City in Issachar, near Mount Carmel, Ios. 19. 17, 18. whither the Prophet frequently went.

For Estate, or Birth and Quality. See Gen. 24. 35. 1 Sam. 25. 2.

By her importunate desire.

To take his repast there.

Marginal references: Heb. there was a day.; Heb. laid [illegible: 1+ letters]old on him.

9 And she said unto her husband, Behold, now I perceive, that this is an holy man of God , which passeth by us continually.

A Prophet, as Iudg. 13. 6. and that of eminent Holiness: by our kindness to whom, we shall procure a blessing to our selves.

10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall , and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick : and it shall be when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

That he may be free from the noise of Family-business, and enjoy that privacy, which, I perceive, he desireth for his Prayers and Meditations.

He will not be troublesome or thargeable to us: he cares not for rich Furniture or costly Entertainment, and is content with bare necessaries.

12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him .

i. e. Before the Prophet, in the door of his Chamber, as it is said, ver. 15. The relation seems to be a little perplexed, but may be thus conceived. It is in this Verse recorded in the general, That the Prophet sent Gehazi to call her, and that the came to him upon that call: then follows a particular description of the whole business with all the circumstances, first, of the message with which Gehazi was sent when he went to call her, and of her answer to that message, ver. 13. and of Gehazi's conjecture thereupon, ver. 14. and then of her coming to the Prophet at his call: which is there repeated to make way for the following passages.

13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care, What is to be done for thee ? Wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host ? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people .

Where with shall I recompence all thy care and kindness to me and my Servant?

With whom he justly had great power for his eminent service, chap. 3.

I live in Love and Peace among my Kindred and Friends; nor have I any cause to complain of them, or to seek relief from higher powers.

Marginal references: Or, had said.

14 And he said, What then is to be done for her ? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.

Hast thou observed any thing which she wants or desires? For the Prophet kept himself much in his Chamber, whilst Gehazi went more freely about the House, as his occasions led him.

15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door .

Out of reverence, humility, and modesty, waiting till he came to her, or called her further in to him.

16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life , thou shalt imbrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lye unto thine hand-maid .

Of which Phrase see on Gen. 18. 10.

Do not delude me with vain hopes. She could not believe it for joy, and supposed the Prophet might say thus either for her trial, or from his own private judgment and affection, and not by warrant from God.

Marginal references: Heb. set time.

19 And he said to his father, My head, my head : and he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.

His Head was grievously pained: which possibly came from the heat of the Harvest-season, to which he was exposed in the field.

21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him , and went out.

Partly, in hopes that this might contribute something to the Childs restitution to Life, she having in all probability had an account of the like Miracle done by Elijah, 1 King. 17. 21. and partly, that she might for the present conceal the death of the Child: which if it had been known, would have filled her Husband with grief, and hindred her journey, and opened the mouths of the enemies of God and his Prophets to blaspheme: whereas she had a confidence put into her by God, that the Prophet could and would restore her Son.

23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon nor sabbath . And she said, It shall be well .

Which were the chief and usual times in which they resorted to the Prophets for instruction, for which he supposed she now went, not suspecting but that the Child was well by this time.

My going will not be troublesome to him, no[illegible: 1+ letters] prejudicial to thee or me. Heb. peace, i. e. peace be to thee, farewel, or be contented, let me go.

Marginal references: Heb. peace.

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 .

So it was in some respects, because it was the Will of a Wise and Good God, and therefore best for her. Or, it shall be well: though the Child be dead, I doubt not by Gods blessing upon thy endeavours it shall live again and do well. But she answers ambiguously, and briefly too, that she might sooner come to the Prophet, and more fully open her mind to him.

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, Let her alone, for her soul is vexed within her : and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me .

She fell at his Feet and touched them, as a most humble and earnest suppliant. Compare 1 Sam. 25. 24. Matth. 28. 9. Withal, she intimated, what she durst [illegible: 1+ letters]ot presume to express in words, that she desired him to go along with her.

Judging this posture indecent for her, and offensive to her Master.

Disturb her not, for this uncouth gesture is a sign of some extraordinary grief.

Whereby he signifies, that what he knew or did, was not by any vertue inherent and abiding in himself, but onely from God, who revealed to him onely what and when he pleased. Compare 2 Sam. 7. 3.

Marginal references: Heb. by his feet.; Heb. bitter.

28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord ? Did not I say, Do not deceive me ?

This Child was not given to me upon my immoderate desire, for which I might have justly been thus chastised, as Rachel was, Gen. 30. 1. compare with 35. 18. but was freely promised to me by thee in Gods Name, and from his special Grace and Favour: and therefore I trust both thou didst pray for it, and God design it as a blessing, and not as an affliction, as now it proves, unless thou dost obtain the Child for me a second time, which I know thou canst do, and I humbly beg thee to do.

With vain hopes of a comfort that I should never have. And I had been much happier if I had never had it, than to lose it so quickly. Therefore thou art in some measure concerned to revive my dead hopes, and to continue to me the great blessing which thou hast procured.

29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins , and take my staff in thy hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not: and if any salute thee, answer him not again : and lay my staff upon the face of the child .

Tie up thy long Garments about thy Loins for expedition. See 1 King. 18. 46.

An Hyperbolical expression: Make no delays nor stops by the way, neither by words nor actions, but go with all possible speed. Compare Luk. 10. 4. He requires this haste, that the Miracle might be done secretly and speedily before the Childs death was divulged, which might cause many inconveniences. See on ver. 21.

For God can work a Miracle by the most unlikely and contemptible means, as he did by a Rod, Exod. 14. 16. and a Mantle, 2 King. 2. 8.

30 And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee . And he arose and followed her.

Until thou goest home with me. For she had no great confidence in Gehazi, nor was her Faith so strong as to think that the Prophet could work so great a Miracle at this distance, and by his Staff: which possibly was one reason why this did no good. Compare Matth. 9. 18. and 13. 58. and 17. 20.

31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child, but there was neither voice, nor hearing : wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked .

i. e. Neither speech, nor sense, nor any sign of life, to wit, in the Child. Which disappointment might proceed from hence, that Elisha having changed his mind, and yielded to her importunity to go with her, did alter his course, and not joyn his fervent prayers with Gehazi's action, but reserved them till he came thither.

i. e. Not revived: death being oft and fitly compared to a sleep, as Psal. 76. 5. Dan. 12. 2. because of the Resurrection which will in due time follow it, and here followed speedily, which makes the expression most proper in this place.

Marginal references: Heb. attention.

33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain , and prayed unto the LORD.

Upon himself and the dead Child, that he might pray to God without distraction, and might more freely use all those gestures and means which he thought fit.

34 And he [illegible: 1+ letters]ent up and lay upon the child , and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands , and he stretched himself upon the child, and the flesh of the child waxed warm .

And although some ceremonial uncleanness might seem to be contracted by the touch of this dead Body, yet that was justly to give place to a Moral Duty, and to an action of so great Piety and Charity as this was, especially when done by a Prophet, and by the instinct of Gods Spirit, who can dispence with his own Laws.

One part upon another successively; for the disproportion of the Bodies would not permit it to be done together. Compare 1 King. 17. 21. Act. 20. 10.

Not by any external heat, which could not be transmitted to the Childs Body by such slight touches of the Prophets Body; but by a Natural heat, proceeding from a principle of Life, which was already infused into the Child, and by degrees enlivened all the parts of his Body.

35 Then he returned and walked in the house to and fro , and went up and stretched himself upon him : and the child neesed seven times, and the child opened his eyes .

He changeth his postures for his own necessary refreshment, and walked to and fro, exercising his mind in Prayer to God, and Faith, for the accomplishment of this work.

Repeating his former actions, to teach us not to be discouraged in our Prayers if we be not speedily answered, but to wait with patience, and continue, and be instant in Prayer, till we obtain what we seek for.

So the work begun in the former Verse is here perfected. Although Miracles were for the most part done in an instant, yet sometimes they were done by degrees, as here, and 1 King. 18. 44, 45. Mark 8. 24, 25.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters]ther, [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].

36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her, and when she was come in unto him , he said, Take up thy son.

Heb. come to him, to wit, to the Door of his Chamber: where probably he met her with this joyful message.

37 Then she went in , and fell at his feet, and bowed her self to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

Into his Chamber, and, after she had done him honour, to the Bed where the Child lay, whence she took him, and went her way.

38 ¶ And Elisha came again to Gilgal , and there was a dearth in the land, and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him : and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.

When he came with Elijah, chap. 2. 1. where was a School of the Prophets, whom he designed to comfort concerning the present Dearth, and their other discouragements, and to confirm in the profession and practise of Religion, and to instruct in the Duties of the present season.

At his Feet, as Scholars to be taught by him. See chap. 2. 3. Act. 22. 3.

He provides no delicious Meats, but mee[illegible: 1+ letters] necessaries, to teach them the contempt of worldly delights.

39 And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine , and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap[illegible: 1+ letters]l, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not.

A Plant called Coloquintida, whose Gourds or Leaves resemble the Leaves of a Vine, and are very bitter, and pernicious to the eater.

40 So they poured out for the men to eat: and it came to pass as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot : and they could not eat thereof.

i. e. Some deadly thing: which they gathered from its excessive bitterness, by which possibly some of them might discern what it was.

41 But he said, Then bring meal: and he cast it into the pot : and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat: and there was no harm in the pot .

Together with the Pottage which they had taken out of it.

The Meal took away that hurful quality, not by its natural power, which could do little in so short a time, but by the Supernatural Blessing of God upon it.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] thing.

42 ¶ And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits , twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof: and he said, Give unto the people , that they may eat.

Which were the Priests due, Numb. 18. 2. but these, and probably the rest of the Priests dues were usually brought by the Pious Israelites, according to their ability and opportunity, to the Lords Prophets; partly, because they did a great part of the Priests office; and partly, because they were not permitted to carry them to Ierusalem; and they might reasonably think that their circumstances being extraordinary, would warrant their giving of them [illegible: 1+ letters]o extraordinary Persons; and that those ceremonial Justitutions ought to give place to the greater Laws of necessity and mercy to the Lords Prophets. And this passage seems to be noted here, not onely on occasion of the following Miracle; but also that by this one instance we might understand how so many Schools of the Prophets were supported.

Small Loaves, as appears, both because one Man brought them all so far; and because, otherwise there had been no Miracle here.

To wit, the Sons of the Prophets, who were then present with him, ver. 38.

Marginal references: Or, in his scrip, or garment.