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Second Kings 4 presents two déjà vu moments. In the opening seven verses, help is given to the helpless—again. In verses 8–37, life comes to the dead—again. These two miraculous moments show how Elisha is following the path of Elijah.
Remember, in 1 Kings 17:8–16, Elijah miraculously provided the widow of Zarephath with oil so that she and her family could survive. In 2 Kings 4:1–7, Elisha also provides a widow and her family with oil. The similarities in these two miracles confirm Elisha’s validity as a prophet. Yet we should also consider one key difference between these two miracles. Rather than a continual gift from one jar of oil, Elisha’s miracle is a multi-jar gift with a distinct purpose that pays off debts. After filling many jars with oil, the man of God states, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.” The miracle not only provides the oil but also pays the debts.
The miracle serves as a helpful illustration of redemption’s power. When one party cannot pay a debt, the Lord provides the payment Himself. In Colossians 2:13–14, Paul gives a similar description of Christ’s work by saying: “God made [us] alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Therefore, the debt payment in Elisha’s miracle is no arbitrary detail. In this miraculous act, God shows us the riches of His grace.
Similarly, Elisha follows Elijah’s precedent with a miraculous resurrection. Elijah revives the widow’s son in 1 Kings 17:17–24, and Elisha raises the Shunammite’s son in 2 Kings 4:8–37. Once again, the similarities confirm Elisha’s role as a prophet. Yet the differences between these two miracles also have meaning. Elisha’s account gives more details regarding the tragedy of this loss. In verse 16, Elisha promised a child to the barren Shunammite woman. By verse 20, however, the child is already dead. The widow’s tragic loss is made worse with the backstory. Elisha’s promise of a child punctuates the sadness of the boy’s death.
Furthermore, Elisha’s account gives more details regarding the miracle of the resurrection. Elisha appoints Gehazi to go ahead of him with a staff. Elisha seeks to give life to the child in every way (mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, and hands to hands). Elisha proceeds to do it all over again until the child finally awakes with sneezing. But in the detailed process, what ultimately brings the child to life? Before Elisha took these actions in verses 34–35, he prayed to the Lord in verse 33.
This is a good reminder for us all. We should try many different procedures to help the sick and suffering. We may follow various tactics to give God’s Word to those who need it. Yet may we never forget who is ultimately in control and continue turning to God in prayer.