2 Kings 4 1

2 Kings 4:1 kjv

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.

2 Kings 4:1 nkjv

A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves."

2 Kings 4:1 niv

The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves."

2 Kings 4:1 esv

Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves."

2 Kings 4:1 nlt

One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, "My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the LORD. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves."

2 Kings 4 verses

2 Kings 4 1 Meaning

A woman, the widow of one of the prophetic disciples, desperately appealed to Elisha, recounting that her deceased husband, known for his devotion to the Lord, had left her with a significant debt. Her extreme distress stemmed from the immediate threat posed by the creditor, who intended to seize her two sons and force them into slavery to settle the obligation. This verse establishes a poignant narrative of poverty, faith, and the dire social consequences of debt in ancient Israel.

2 Kings 4 1 Context

This verse introduces the first in a series of Elisha’s miracles documented in 2 Kings Chapter 4. Following Elijah's ascension and Elisha's inheritance of his mantle, Elisha continues the prophetic ministry by addressing immediate, personal needs rather than only grand national events. The chapter immediately follows Elisha's miraculous purification of the waters of Jericho and his dealing with the taunting youths, showcasing his established authority. This specific incident reveals the precarious social and economic status of a widow in ancient Israel, especially one whose husband, though dedicated to the Lord as a "son of the prophets," had nevertheless succumbed to debt. The dire consequence of losing her children to debt-slavery highlights the vulnerability of the poor and the often harsh realities of legal enforcement in a society lacking modern social safety nets. It also subtly reinforces God's compassionate nature through the actions of His prophet, Elisha, demonstrating a divine counterpoint to the unforgiving aspects of human law.

2 Kings 4 1 Word analysis

• "Now a woman": Establishes the primary recipient of God's miraculous intervention; her anonymity underscores her everyman/woman status, making her plight relatable. Her position as a "woman" also highlights her vulnerable social standing in a patriarchal society, where legal and economic rights were largely dependent on a male relative.
• "of the wives of the sons of the prophets": This phrase clarifies her connection to the prophetic community. "Sons of the prophets" (Hebrew: b’nê hannevi'im) refers not to biological offspring, but to disciples, members, or associates of prophetic schools or guilds (cf. 1 Sam 10:5; 2 Kgs 2:3). They were likely engaged in study, service, and communal life around the prominent prophets, living austere lives. This indicates her deceased husband was a man dedicated to spiritual matters, making his subsequent poverty and debt more tragic and a cause for concern among God's servants.
• "cried out": The Hebrew verb is צָעַק (tsa’aq), indicating a desperate, urgent, loud cry of distress, often a cry for help to God or to an authority figure (cf. Exod 2:23; 1 Sam 7:8-9). This isn't a mere polite request but a shriek born of agony and desperation. It signals the severity of her situation.
• "to Elisha": Directing her cry to God's chosen prophet, indicating her belief in his divine connection and ability to intervene on God's behalf, perhaps remembering Elisha’s prior miracles. This suggests she sees Elisha as her immediate recourse and channel of divine assistance.
• "Your servant my husband": A respectful yet pointed appeal. By calling him "your servant," she reminds Elisha that her husband was a fellow member of the prophetic community and implicitly, under Elisha's spiritual care and perhaps leadership.
• "is dead": The root cause of her immediate plight. His death removes the primary breadwinner, legal representative, and protector for the family. It's a statement of devastating loss and the sudden shift to extreme vulnerability.
• "and you know that your servant feared the Lord": This is her critical appeal for mercy and justice. "Feared the Lord" (Hebrew: יְרֵא יְהוָה, yire' Yahweh) means he was pious, reverent, and obedient to God’s commandments (Prov 1:7; Ps 111:10). She argues his righteousness should evoke compassion and intervention. It also perhaps subtly suggests a grievance: why should a righteous man’s family suffer such a fate? This serves as moral leverage with Elisha and ultimately with God.
• "but the creditor has come": The immediate, present threat. The creditor (Hebrew: נֹשֶׁה, nosheh) is someone who lends and collects debts, often with strong legal rights in ancient times. This points to the economic system that allowed for extreme measures in debt collection. The arrival signifies the enforcement stage; there's no more time to wait.
• "to take my two children to be his slaves": The devastating consequence she faces. This refers to debt slavery (cf. Neh 5:5; Lev 25:39-41), where individuals (or their family members) could be sold into servitude to pay off a debt. For children, this could mean many years, potentially a lifetime of separation from their mother, and for the family, utter ruin and the breaking of its lineage. This extreme penalty underscores the desperation of her situation and the severity of ancient debt laws, setting the stage for a miraculous divine reversal.

2 Kings 4 1 Bonus section

The Hebrew term 'ishah (woman) here implies not only her gender but also her social standing as a dependent, intensifying her plight without male protection. The phrase "sons of the prophets" (or "children of the prophets") might indicate these communities lived a more austere life, potentially struggling economically even while spiritually devoted. This incident reflects broader biblical themes concerning God's active concern for social justice, specifically the care of widows, orphans, and the poor, challenging the societal norms that allowed such exploitation. This story, in miniature, acts as a demonstration of God's kingdom values breaking into the fallen world, providing hope where human systems bring despair. The situation underscores the immense value God places on every individual, especially the vulnerable, whose suffering touches His heart and provokes His intervention through His chosen instruments.

2 Kings 4 1 Commentary

2 Kings 4:1 succinctly establishes a crisis born of poverty, death, and social injustice, presenting a situation seemingly beyond human repair. The widow's desperate cry highlights the vulnerability of women and children in ancient Israel, especially when a husband and provider passed away, leaving debt behind. Her emphasis on her husband's piety – "he feared the Lord" – is crucial; it frames the coming miracle not as random charity, but as God's response to the cries of the righteous and His protective care for His faithful servants and their families. This instance contrasts the harshness of human economic systems with God's compassionate justice and miraculous provision through His prophet, Elisha. The verse lays the foundation for Elisha to manifest divine power, demonstrating that God intervenes directly in the ordinary, dire circumstances of His people, upholding their dignity and preserving their family lines, even against formidable odds like overwhelming debt.