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
A divinely orchestrated encounter between King Jehoram of Israel and Gehazi, Elisha's former servant, is meticulously recorded. This pivotal conversation, initiated by the king's explicit request to hear "all the great things that Elisha hath done," serves as a crucial narrative hinge, setting the stage for the miraculous restoration of the Shunammite woman's land and property, thereby demonstrating God's sovereign providence and His capacity to utilize even flawed individuals to accomplish His intricate purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned at a critical juncture in the narrative of Elisha's prophetic ministry. It immediately follows the account of Elisha's warning to the Shunammite woman concerning an impending seven-year famine, prompting her departure from Israel (2 Kings 8:1-3). The conversation between King Jehoram 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 precise timing of this royal inquiry into Elisha's miracles, coinciding with the Shunammite woman's arrival, is not accidental but a clear demonstration of divine synchronicity. This narrative flow seamlessly connects Elisha's past miracles, particularly the raising of the Shunammite woman's son in [the earlier account](/2_kings/4-8-37 "2 Kings 4:8-37 - Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son"), with the immediate need for her property's restoration, highlighting God's meticulous control over seemingly disparate events.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Jehoram, son of the infamous Ahab and Jezebel, ruled over Israel. While he did remove the pillar of Baal that his father had erected, the text notes that he "clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit" ([2 Kings 3:2-3](/2_kings/3-2-3 "2 Kings 3:2-3 - Jehoram's Reign and Sins")). This indicates a king who, despite some reforms, remained spiritually compromised. His curiosity about Elisha's "great things" suggests that even within a kingdom steeped in idolatry, the power and reputation of God's prophets were undeniable and widely acknowledged. In the ancient Near East, it was common for rulers to seek accounts of significant events, especially those involving supernatural power, as a means of understanding or potentially leveraging such influence. The seven-year famine mentioned in [2 Kings 8:1](/2_kings/8-1 "2 Kings 8:1 - Elisha Warns of Famine") underscores the precariousness of life and the vital importance of land and property for economic survival and social standing in that agrarian society.
* **Key Themes:** Several profound themes converge in this verse. Firstly, **Divine Providence and Timing** are prominently displayed, as God meticulously orchestrates the king's spontaneous inquiry and Gehazi's unexpected presence at the exact moment the Shunammite woman returns, demonstrating His sovereign control over all circumstances. Secondly, the **Power of God Working Through His Servants** is central, as Elisha's "great things" serve as irrefutable evidence of God's active presence and intervention in Israel. This conversation highlights the widespread knowledge and impact of Elisha's ministry, which included notable miracles such as raising the dead ([2 Kings 4:32-37](/2_kings/4-32-37 "2 Kings 4:32-37 - Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son")), purifying poisoned food ([2 Kings 4:38-41](/2_kings/4-38-41 "2 Kings 4:38-41 - Elisha Purifies the Stew")), and healing leprosy ([2 Kings 5:1-19](/2_kings/5-1-19 "2 Kings 5:1-19 - Naaman Healed of Leprosy")). Finally, the verse underscores 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 yet 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
* **talked (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** From H1696, this primitive root primarily means "to speak" or "to arrange," but can also imply "to declare" or "to tell." In this context, it signifies an intentional conversation, a direct verbal exchange between the king and Gehazi. The king is not merely making small talk but is actively seeking information, indicating a deliberate and purposeful inquiry into Elisha's deeds.
* **Gehazi (Hebrew, _Gêychăzîy'_):** From H1522, this name, meaning "valley of a visionary," belongs to Elisha's former servant. He was struck with leprosy for his greed and deception in the incident with Naaman ([2 Kings 5:27](/2_kings/5-27 "2 Kings 5:27 - Gehazi's Leprosy")). His unexpected presence in the king's court and his role in recounting Elisha's deeds is highly significant, demonstrating 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.
* **great things (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** From H1419, this word (often rendered as "great" in various senses) 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 sets the scene for an unexpected and divinely orchestrated encounter. King Jehoram, a monarch whose spiritual alignment was compromised, initiates a conversation with Gehazi, who is no longer in Elisha's direct service and is afflicted with leprosy. The description "the servant of the man of God" serves as a crucial identifier, linking Gehazi directly to Elisha and lending immediate credibility to his forthcoming testimony, despite his personal disgrace. This meeting is presented as a providential coincidence, meticulously preparing the narrative for the subsequent events.
* **"saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done."**: This is the king's direct and specific command, revealing his profound curiosity. He is not interested in general gossip but specifically desires 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 within the royal court. The king's eagerness to hear these accounts provides the perfect narrative opportunity for Gehazi to recount the very miracle that pertains to the Shunammite woman, whose arrival is imminent, thereby paving the way for her property's restoration.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device powerfully at play in 2 Kings 8:4 is **Foreshadowing**. The king's specific inquiry about Elisha's "great things" directly and immediately 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 naturally recount. This precise timing and the king's pointed interest create a narrative expectation for a powerful display of divine providence. Additionally, there is a striking element of **Irony** in God's choice to use Gehazi, a disgraced and leprous former servant, as the crucial instrument through whom the Shunammite woman's land is restored. His personal failure and social ostracism do not prevent God from using his testimony for a greater, redemptive purpose, thereby highlighting God's absolute sovereignty over human imperfection and His ability to work through unexpected channels.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's meticulous and active providence, demonstrating how He orchestrates seemingly unrelated events and employs unexpected individuals to fulfill His divine purposes. The king's spontaneous curiosity and Gehazi's timely presence are not mere coincidences but integral components of a larger, divinely engineered plan to restore the Shunammite woman's property. It underscores the profound truth 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 unwavering 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 "Joseph's Testimony of God's Providence")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Kings 8:4 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is not a distant deity but is intimately and actively involved in the intricate details of our lives and the world around us, orchestrating events in ways we often cannot perceive or comprehend. Just as King Jehoram's curiosity and Gehazi's presence converged at the perfect moment for the Shunammite woman's restoration, so too does God align circumstances for our ultimate good and His manifest glory. This truth should profoundly encourage us to cultivate unwavering trust in His divine providence, even when our personal situations seem chaotic, coincidental, or beyond our control. Furthermore, the remarkable use of Gehazi, a flawed and disgraced individual, highlights God's boundless ability to use anyone for His purposes, irrespective of their past failures, present limitations, or social standing. Our testimony of God's "great things" in our lives, however imperfect or insignificant we may feel, can be a potent instrument in His hands, opening doors for others to experience His goodness, power, and redemptive might. We are called to be faithful witnesses, boldly sharing what God has done, confident that He can use our words to bring about His perfect and sovereign will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise timing of this conversation encourage your trust in God's perfect providence in your own life's journey?**
* **In what specific ways might God be using seemingly "coincidental" events or unexpected people in your life to advance His divine purposes?**
* **Considering Gehazi's past failures and affliction, what does his pivotal 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 genuinely testify about, and how might your personal testimony impact and inspire 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 societal implications and severity of his isolation might have varied in practice. Levitical law did mandate that lepers live outside the camp ([Leviticus 13:46](/leviticus/13-46 "Leviticus 13:46 - Law for Lepers")), primarily for ritual purity and public health reasons related to the tabernacle/temple. However, this stricture might not have been uniformly applied to every social interaction, especially for someone who had once been a prominent figure like Gehazi. It's plausible that as a former servant of a renowned prophet, Gehazi was granted special dispensation for a royal audience, or that the king's court operated under different rules for such unique circumstances. More significantly, his presence is portrayed as divinely orchestrated, highlighting God's sovereign ability to use even a physically and socially outcast individual to accomplish His will. God's overarching purpose for the Shunammite woman's restoration superseded typical social and ceremonial barriers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "great things that Elisha hath done" in 2 Kings 8:4 serve as powerful, yet ultimately incomplete, foreshadowings of the infinitely greater things accomplished by Jesus Christ, the ultimate "man of God" and the incarnate Son of God. Elisha's miracles—healing the sick, raising the dead, providing for the needy—were undeniably potent, but they were temporary in their effect and limited in their scope. They functioned as signs, pointing forward to the comprehensive, eternal, and redemptive work of Jesus. Jesus, unlike Elisha, did not merely heal a few or raise a select few from the dead; He is the very source of all healing and the embodiment of the resurrection and the life ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). His "great things" encompass not only countless miracles of healing and provision during His earthly ministry but, more profoundly, His perfect life, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, which decisively conquered sin and death once and for all ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "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 faithful testimony of the apostles and subsequent generations of believers about Jesus's "great things"—His redemptive work on the cross and His triumph over the grave—leads to the restoration of humanity's spiritual inheritance and the promise of eternal life for all who believe ([Acts 2:32-33](/acts/2-32-33 "Acts 2:32-33 - Peter's Sermon on Jesus' Resurrection and Exaltation")). In Christ, all the "great things" of God find their ultimate, complete, and everlasting fulfillment, offering not just temporary relief but eternal salvation and cosmic 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.

Cross-References

2 Kings 5:20

¶ But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, [as] the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

2 Kings 5:27

The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper [as white] as snow.

Acts 24:24

And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

John 9:27

He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear [it] again? will ye also be his disciples?

2 Kings 6:32

But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and [the king] sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: [is] not the sound of his master's feet behind him?

2 Kings 4:16

And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, [thou] man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.

2 Kings 4:17

And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.