2 Kings 4:38-41 | The Way of Scripture

2 Kings 4:38-41

How is the community sustained when its meal becomes dangerous?

Berean Standard Bible

38 When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.” 39 One of them went out to the field to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. 40 And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it. 41 Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

What is the context?

Elisha returns to Gilgal during a famine. While the prophets are gathered before him, he tells his servant to prepare stew in a large pot.

One man gathers wild gourds without knowing what they are and cuts them into the stew. When the men taste it, they cry that there is death in the pot and cannot eat.

Elisha has flour put into the pot and tells them to serve the meal. The account says there is no longer anything harmful in it. It does not identify the plant with modern botanical certainty or provide a household antidote for poisoning.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley attributes the change to God’s power rather than an ordinary property of flour. The setting is the preservation of a hungry prophetic community, with the harmful meal made safe in this particular event.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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