2 Kings 4:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

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.

Sons

2 Kings 4:38

2 Kings 2:3

1 Kings 20:35

Thy servant did fear

The creditor

General references

Exodus 22:25

Job 24:9

Proverbs 22:27

Bible References

Sons

Now Elisha went back to Gilgal, while there was famine in the land. Some of the prophets were visiting him and he told his servant, "Put the big pot on the fire and boil some stew for the prophets."

Some members of the prophetic guild in Bethel came out to Elisha and said, "Do you know that today the Lord is going to take your master from you?" He answered, "Yes, I know. Be quiet."

One of the members of the prophetic guild, speaking with divine authority, ordered his companion, "Wound me!" But the man refused to wound him.

Thy servant did fear

"Do not harm the boy!" the angel said. "Do not do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God because you did not withhold your son, your only son, from me."

So Ahab summoned Obadiah, who supervised the palace. (Now Obadiah was a very loyal follower of the Lord.

I then put in charge over Jerusalem my brother Hanani and Hananiah the chief of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many do.

For as the skies are high above the earth, so his loyal love towers over his faithful followers.

Praise the Lord! How blessed is the one who obeys the Lord, who takes great delight in keeping his commands.

He will bless his loyal followers, both young and old.

The Lord takes delight in his faithful followers, and in those who wait for his loyal love.

Even though a sinner might commit a hundred crimes and still live a long time, yet I know that it will go well with God-fearing people -- for they stand in fear before him.

Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.

Then those who respected the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord took notice. A scroll was prepared before him in which were recorded the names of those who respected the Lord and honored his name.

But for you who respect my name, the sun of vindication will rise with healing wings, and you will skip about like calves released from the stall.

Brothers, descendants of Abraham's family, and those Gentiles among you who fear God, the message of this salvation has been sent to us.

Who will not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name, because you alone are holy? All nations will come and worship before you for your righteous acts have been revealed."

Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God all you his servants, and all you who fear Him, both the small and the great!"

The creditor

"'If your brother becomes impoverished with regard to you so that he sells himself to you, you must not subject him to slave service.

There were those who said, "With our sons and daughters, we are many. We must obtain grain in order to eat and stay alive."

We will not buy on the Sabbath or on a holy day from the neighboring peoples who bring their wares and all kinds of grain to sell on the Sabbath day. We will let the fields lie fallow every seventh year, and we will cancel every loan.

"Every seven years each of you must free any fellow Hebrews who have sold themselves to you. After they have served you for six years, you shall set them free." But your ancestors did not obey me or pay any attention to me.

Because he was not able to repay it, the lord ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, children, and whatever he possessed, and repayment to be made.

For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment.

General references

"If you lend money to any of my people who are needy among you, do not be like a moneylender to him; do not charge him interest.

The fatherless child is snatched from the breast, the infant of the poor is taken as a pledge.

If you do not have enough to pay, your bed will be taken right out from under you!