2 Kings 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.

Then she came {H935} and told {H5046} the man {H376} of God {H430}. And he said {H559}, Go {H3212}, sell {H4376} the oil {H8081}, and pay {H7999} thy debt {H5386}, and live {H2421} thou and thy children {H1121} of the rest {H3498}.

She came and told the man of God; and he said, "Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt; then you and your sons can live on what's left."

She went and told the man of God, and he said, β€œGo, sell the oil, and pay your debt. Then you and your sons can live on the remainder.”

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 sons of the rest.

Commentary

2 Kings 4:7 concludes the remarkable account of Elisha's miracle for a desperate widow, providing the practical culmination of God's supernatural intervention. This verse highlights the immediate and long-term benefits of divine provision, guided by the prophet's practical wisdom.

Context

This verse follows the compelling narrative begun in 2 Kings 4:1. A widow of one of the prophets, facing immense debt and the threat of her two sons being sold into slavery, cries out to Elisha, the "man of God." Elisha asks what she has in her house, and she replies, "nothing but a pot of oil." He then instructs her to borrow as many empty vessels as possible from her neighbors and to pour oil from her small jar into them. Miraculously, the oil continues to flow until every vessel is full, ceasing only when there are no more empty vessels (2 Kings 4:6). Verse 7 is Elisha's final instruction on how to manage this miraculous abundance, emphasizing the practical application of God's blessing in a dire economic situation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision: This verse beautifully illustrates God's active involvement in the material needs of His people, especially those in vulnerable circumstances. The miracle of the oil is a clear demonstration of God's ability to supply all needs, often exceeding expectations.
  • Obedience and Faith: The widow's prior obedience in gathering the vessels and pouring the oil was crucial. Verse 7 shows that divine blessing often requires a response of faith and adherence to God's (or His prophet's) instructions for its full benefit.
  • Practicality of God's Blessing: The miracle wasn't just a display of power; it had a very tangible, practical outcome. The oil was to be sold to pay off debt and then used to sustain the family, addressing both immediate crisis and future livelihood.
  • Sufficiency and Abundance: The phrase "live thou and thy children of the rest" signifies that God's provision was not merely enough to cover the debt but provided a surplus, demonstrating His generous nature.

Linguistic Insight

The title "man of God" (Hebrew: אִישׁ Χ”ΦΈΧΦ±ΧœΦΉΧ”Φ΄Χ™Χ, 'ish ha'elohim) used for Elisha in this passage, and to whom the widow reports, is a significant designation for prophets in the Old Testament. It signifies someone who is divinely appointed, speaks for God, and acts as His representative, often demonstrating God's power through miracles. This emphasizes Elisha's authority in giving the instructions for the oil's use.

Practical Application

The account of the multiplying oil and Elisha's counsel in 2 Kings 4:7 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • God Cares for Practical Needs: This story reminds us that God is concerned not only with our spiritual well-being but also with our daily, practical struggles, including financial ones. We can bring our desperate situations to Him in prayer.
  • Obedience Unlocks Blessing: Just as the widow's obedience in gathering vessels was key to the miracle, our willingness to obey God's commands, even when they seem small or illogical, can open doors to His provision.
  • Stewardship of Blessings: Elisha's instruction to "sell the oil, and pay thy debt" highlights the importance of responsible stewardship. When God blesses us, the first priority is often to settle our obligations and then to manage the surplus wisely for ongoing needs. This aligns with biblical principles regarding avoiding and repaying debt.
  • Trust in God's Abundance: The story encourages us to trust that God's provision is often more than sufficient, not just for the immediate crisis but also for sustained living.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:7

    For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:12

    Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

  • 1 Kings 12:22

    But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

  • Psalms 37:21

    ΒΆ The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

  • Romans 12:17

    Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

  • Philippians 4:8

    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:9

    For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
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