2 Kings 4:1-44

Various Miracles of Elisha

The miracles related of Elisha in this and the following Chapter s resemble many of those previously recounted of Elijah. Thus both prophets multiplied the sustenance of a woman in need (2 Kings 4:1; 1 Kings 17:8); both restored a dead child to life (2 Kings 4:8; 1 Kings 17:17); both came into conflict with their king on the occasion of a famine (2 Kings 6:24; 1 Kings 18; 1 Kings 18); and both brought a violent death upon certain individuals who offended them (2 Kings 2:23; 2 Kings 1; 2 Kings 1). But the habits of Elisha were seemingly more social, and his disposition less stern, than were those of his great predecessor: he was a frequenter of cities, was closely associated with the 'sons of the prophets,' and many of the miracles recorded of him are connected with private individuals and incidents of common life. The contrast in this respect which Elisha offered to the ascetic Elijah resembles that which subsisted between our Lord and St. John the Baptist: cp. Matthew 11:18; Matthew 11:19.

The several stories here told of Elisha are somewhat disconnected, the indications of time that occur in them are vague (see 2 Kings 4:8; 2 Kings 4:11; 2 Kings 4:18), and there are a few inconsistencies which are left unexplained by the historian: contrast 2 Kings 6:23 with 2 Kings 6:24 and 2 Kings 5:27 with 2 Kings 8:1.