FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation 2 Kings 4:7
KJVThen 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.
Read it in context
The Widow’s Oil
Start reading at 2 Kings 4:1 (2 Kings 4:1 to 2 Kings 4:7).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
- 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, 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 bondmen.
- 4:2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
- 4:3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
- 4:4 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.
- 4:5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.
- 4:6 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.
- 4:7 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Jeremiah is the traditional Jewish attribution to Kings. The completed work incorporates records of Israel and Judah and events during exile; its final compiler is uncertain. Biblical references: 2 Kings 15:11; 2 Kings 25:27. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Kings 4:1–4:44): Elisha ministers to the widow's household, the Shunammite family, and the prophetic community in separate episodes of provision and restoration. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The Israelite and Judean community in and after the exile, reflecting on why both kingdoms fell and what remained of the Davidic line. Biblical references: 2 Kings 17:7; 2 Kings 23:27; 2 Kings 25:27. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Widow’s Oil. Read 2 Kings 4:1 through 2 Kings 4:7 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book continues the divided-kingdom histories through Assyria's conquest of Israel and Babylon's conquest of Judah, ending with a notice concerning Jehoiachin. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Israel and Judah, including Samaria and Jerusalem, and ends with exile in Babylon. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Widow’s Oil (2 Kings 4:1 to 2 Kings 4:7). Start reading at 2 Kings 4:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus cites the cleansing of Naaman in His discourse at Nazareth. This supplies a specific connection to the book's prophetic narratives and challenges assumptions about privilege. See 2 Kings 5:14, Luke 4:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Hear warnings before repeated refusal hardens into habit. Reform, repentance, and faithfulness should be assessed from the narrated response to God's word, not merely a ruler's reputation. interpretation
Cited: 2 Kings 4:1, 2 Kings 4:7, 2 Kings 5:14, Luke 4:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Jeremiah (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. It cites older court records as sources.
2 Kings 1:182 Kings 15:11
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Jeremiah.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated. The closing events occur during the exile.
Related passages
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings 4
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
2 Kings 17:7 2 Kings 23:27 2 Kings 25:27
The Shunammite Woman
2 Kings 4:8–17FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThe transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son
2 Kings 4:18–37FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThe transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation Elisha Purifies the Poisonous Stew
2 Kings 4:38–41FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThe transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation Feeding a Hundred Men
2 Kings 4:42–44FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin.
2 Kings 17:7 2 Kings 23:27 2 Kings 25:27
FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThe transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation The kingdoms and Israel's fall
2 Kings 8:16–17:41FocusRoyal succession, reform, and persistent sin
Connection to the wholeThe accounts of the kings culminate in Assyria's conquest of Israel and an extended explanation of the disaster.
interpretation Judah before its fall
2 Kings 18:1–23:30FocusHezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah
Connection to the wholeThe reigns contrast trust, grave unfaithfulness, and reform while the announced judgment on Judah remains in view.
interpretation Jerusalem falls and Judah is exiled
2 Kings 23:31–25:30FocusDestruction and a final note of favor
Connection to the wholeBabylon's conquest ends the kingdom's rule in Jerusalem; the closing notice concerning Jehoiachin leaves the reader beyond the destruction itself.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.