2 Kings 8:4

KJV

And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} talked {H1696} with Gehazi {H1522} the servant {H5288} of the man {H376} of God {H430}, saying {H559}, Tell {H5608} me, I pray thee, all the great things {H1419} that Elisha {H477} hath done {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king was talking with Geichazi the servant of the man of God. "Tell me," he said, "all the great things Elisha has done."

Berean Standard Bible

Now the king had been speaking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, “Please relate to me all the great things Elisha has done.”

American Standard Version

Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 8:4 presents a divinely orchestrated conversation between King Jehoram of Israel and Gehazi, the former servant of the prophet Elisha. The king's explicit request to hear "all the great things that Elisha hath done" serves as a pivotal narrative moment, setting the stage for the miraculous restoration of the Shunammite woman's land and property, demonstrating God's meticulous providence and His ability to use even flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the larger narrative of Elisha's ministry, immediately following the account of Elisha warning the Shunammite woman to leave Israel due to an impending seven-year famine (2 Kings 8:1-3). The conversation between the king and Gehazi directly precedes the Shunammite woman's return from her sojourn in Philistia and her subsequent appeal to the king for the restoration of her house and land (2 Kings 8:5-6). The timing is critical: the king's curiosity about Elisha's miracles coincides precisely with the Shunammite woman's arrival, creating a seamless and miraculous connection that highlights God's sovereign control over seemingly disparate events. It links Elisha's past miracles, particularly the raising of the Shunammite's son in [2 Kings 4:8-37](/2_kings/4-8 "2 Kings 4:8-37 - Elisha and the Shunammite Woman"), to the present need for her property's restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Jehoram, son of Ahab and Jezebel, reigned over Israel. While he removed the pillar of Baal that his father had made, he still "clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit" ([2 Kings 3:2-3](/2_kings/3-2 "2 Kings 3:2-3 - Jehoram's Reign")). This indicates a king who, though perhaps not as overtly idolatrous as his parents, still did not fully commit to the Lord. His curiosity about Elisha's "great things" suggests that even in a religiously compromised kingdom, the power and reputation of God's prophets were undeniable and widely known. The concept of a king granting an audience to hear accounts of significant events, especially those involving supernatural power, was not uncommon in ancient Near Eastern courts, as rulers sought to understand and potentially leverage such influence. The famine mentioned in [2 Kings 8:1](/2_kings/8-1 "2 Kings 8:1 - Elisha warns the Shunammite woman") underscores the harsh realities of life and the importance of land and property for survival and social standing.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes converging in this verse include **Divine Providence and Timing**, showcasing God's meticulous orchestration of events to achieve His purposes. The king's spontaneous inquiry and Gehazi's presence at that precise moment, just as the Shunammite woman returns, are not coincidental but divinely arranged. Another key theme is the **Power of God Working Through His Servants**, as Elisha's "great things" are a testament to God's active presence and intervention in Israel. This conversation underscores the widespread knowledge and impact of Elisha's ministry, which included raising the dead ([2 Kings 4:32-37](/2_kings/4-32 "2 Kings 4:32-37 - Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son")), purifying poisoned food ([2 Kings 4:38-41](/2_kings/4-38 "2 Kings 4:38-41 - Elisha Purifies the Stew")), and healing leprosy ([2 Kings 5:1-19](/2_kings/5-1 "2 Kings 5:1-19 - Naaman Healed of Leprosy")). Finally, the verse highlights the theme of **Testimony and Witness**, as Gehazi, despite his personal failings and affliction with leprosy ([2 Kings 5:27](/2_kings/5-27 "2 Kings 5:27 - Gehazi's Leprosy")), becomes an unwitting but crucial witness to God's power, his account directly leading to the restoration of the Shunammite woman's property.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gehazi (Hebrew, _Gehazi'_):** Elisha's former servant, who was struck with leprosy for his greed and deception in the incident with Naaman (2 Kings 5). His presence in the king's court and his role in recounting Elisha's deeds is highly significant. It demonstrates God's sovereign ability to use even a disgraced and afflicted individual to fulfill His divine plan, highlighting that God's instruments are not always perfect, but His purposes are.
* **man of God (Hebrew, אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים, _ish ha-Elohim'_):** This is a profound and frequently used title in the Old Testament for prophets, including Moses, Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha. It signifies someone who is divinely appointed, empowered, and commissioned by God to speak and act on His behalf. The title emphasizes Elisha's unique relationship with Yahweh and validates the divine origin and authority behind the "great things" he performed.
* **great things (Hebrew, הַגְּדֹלוֹת, _hagg'dolot'_):** This phrase refers to the miraculous and powerful deeds performed by Elisha. It conveys not merely impressive acts, but acts of significant divine intervention that demonstrate God's power, presence, and faithfulness. The king's request to hear "all" of them underscores their widespread renown and the profound impact they had on the kingdom, serving as undeniable evidence of God's work through His prophet.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God":** This clause establishes the unexpected encounter. King Jehoram, a ruler whose spiritual standing was compromised, initiates a conversation with Gehazi, who is no longer in Elisha's direct service and is afflicted with leprosy. The designation "the servant of the man of God" links Gehazi directly to Elisha, lending credibility to his forthcoming testimony, despite his personal disgrace. This meeting is presented as a divinely arranged coincidence, setting the stage for subsequent events.
* **"saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done."**: This is the king's direct command and request. His curiosity is not casual but specific: he wants to hear about the "great things," the miraculous and powerful deeds that Elisha performed. This indicates that Elisha's reputation as a powerful prophet of Yahweh was well-established and recognized even in the royal court. The king's desire to hear these accounts provides the perfect opportunity for Gehazi to recount the very miracle that pertains to the Shunammite woman, whose arrival is imminent.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 2 Kings 8:4 is **Foreshadowing**. The king's inquiry about Elisha's "great things" directly foreshadows the miraculous restoration of the Shunammite woman's property in the verses that follow. Her story, particularly the raising of her son, is one of the very "great things" Gehazi would recount. This precise timing and the king's specific interest set up the narrative for a powerful display of divine providence. Additionally, there is an element of **Irony** in God using Gehazi, a disgraced and leprous former servant, to be the instrument through whom the Shunammite woman's land is restored. His personal failure does not prevent God from using his testimony for a greater purpose, highlighting God's sovereignty over human imperfection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates God's meticulous providence, demonstrating how He orchestrates seemingly unrelated events and uses unexpected individuals to fulfill His divine purposes. The king's spontaneous curiosity and Gehazi's timely presence are not mere coincidences but part of a larger, divinely engineered plan to restore the Shunammite woman's property. It underscores that God's plans unfold with perfect timing and precision, often utilizing imperfect vessels to bear witness to His mighty works. This narrative reinforces the truth that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even the political intrigues of kings and the personal failings of servants, ensuring His will is accomplished.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Testimony of God's Providence")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Kings 8:4 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is actively involved in the details of our lives and the world around us, orchestrating events in ways we often cannot perceive. Just as King Jehoram's curiosity and Gehazi's presence converged at the perfect moment for the Shunammite woman, so too does God align circumstances for our good and His glory. This should encourage us to trust in His providence, even when our situations seem chaotic or coincidental. Furthermore, the use of Gehazi, a flawed and disgraced individual, highlights God's ability to use anyone for His purposes, regardless of their past failures or present limitations. Our testimony of God's "great things" in our lives, however imperfect we may feel, can be a powerful instrument in His hands, opening doors for others to experience His goodness and might. We are called to be faithful witnesses, sharing what God has done, confident that He can use our words to bring about His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the timing of this conversation encourage your trust in God's perfect providence in your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be using seemingly "coincidental" events or unexpected people in your life to advance His purposes?**
* **Considering Gehazi's past, what does his role here teach us about God's ability to use imperfect people for His glory?**
* **What "great things" has God done in your life that you can testify about, and how might your testimony impact others?**

### FAQ
**Why was Gehazi, who was afflicted with leprosy, allowed to be in the king's presence?**

Answer: While Gehazi was indeed struck with leprosy in [2 Kings 5:27](/2_kings/5-27 "2 Kings 5:27 - Gehazi's Leprosy"), the severity of his isolation might have varied. Levitical law required lepers to live outside the camp ([Leviticus 13:46](/leviticus/13-46 "Leviticus 13:46 - Law for Lepers")), but this might have applied more strictly to the purity laws of the tabernacle/temple than to every social interaction, especially for someone who had been a prominent figure. It's possible that Gehazi, as a former servant of a renowned prophet, was granted special dispensation or that the king's court operated under different rules for such an audience. More significantly, his presence is presented as divinely orchestrated, highlighting God's sovereign ability to use even a physically and socially outcast individual to accomplish His will. God's purpose for the Shunammite woman's restoration superseded typical social barriers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "great things that Elisha hath done" in 2 Kings 8:4 ultimately point to the even greater things done by Jesus Christ, the ultimate "man of God" and Son of God. Elisha's miracles—healing, raising the dead, providing for the needy—were powerful, but they were temporary and limited. They served as signs, foreshadowing the comprehensive and eternal work of Jesus. Jesus, unlike Elisha, did not merely heal the sick or raise a few from the dead; He is the source of all healing and the resurrection and the life ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). His "great things" include not only countless miracles of healing and provision but also His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, which conquered sin and death once and for all ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). Just as Gehazi's testimony led to the restoration of the Shunammite woman's earthly inheritance, the testimony of the apostles and believers about Jesus's "great things"—His redemptive work—leads to the restoration of humanity's spiritual inheritance and eternal life ([Acts 2:32-33](/acts/2-32 "Acts 2:32-33 - Peter's Sermon on Jesus' Resurrection")). In Christ, all the "great things" of God find their ultimate and complete fulfillment, offering not just temporary relief but eternal salvation and restoration.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.