Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Kings 4:42

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.