2 Kings 4:1

King James Version (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.

Translations

2 Kings 4:1 - Amplified Bible

NOW THE wife of a son 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 sons to be his slaves.

2 Kings 4:1 - American Standard Version

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 Jehovah: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two children to be bondmen.

2 Kings 4:1 - Bible in Basic English

Now a certain woman, the wife of one of the sons of the prophets, came crying to Elisha and said, Your servant my husband is dead; and to your knowledge he was a worshipper of the Lord; but now, the creditor has come to take my two children as servants in payment of his debt.

2 Kings 4:1 - Darby Bible

And a woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha saying, Thy servant my husband is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant feared Jehovah; and the creditor is come to take my two children to be bondmen.

2 Kings 4:1 - English Standard Version

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 - King James Version

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 - La Biblia de las Americas

Y una mujer de las mujeres de los hijos de los profetas clamò a Eliseo, diciendo: Tu siervo, mi marido, ha muerto, y tù sabes que tu siervo temìa al SEÑOR; y ha venido el acreedor a tomar a mis dos hijos para esclavos suyos.

2 Kings 4:1 - The Message

One day the wife of a man from the guild of prophets called out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead. You well know what a good man he was, devoted to God. And now the man to whom he was in debt is on his way to collect by taking my two children as slaves."

2 Kings 4:1 - New American Standard Bible

Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves."

2 Kings 4:1 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Y una mujer de las mujeres de los hijos de los profetas clamò a Eliseo, diciendo: "Su siervo, mi marido, ha muerto, y usted sabe que su siervo temìa al SEÑOR; y ha venido el acreedor a tomar a mis dos hijos para esclavos suyos."

2 Kings 4:1 - World English Bible

Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant did fear Yahweh: and the creditor is come to take to him my two children to be bondservants.

2 Kings 4:1 - Young's Living Translation

And a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets hath cried unto Elisha, saying, `Thy servant, my husband, is dead, and thou hast known that thy servant was fearing Jehovah, and the lender hath come to take my two children to him for servants.`

2 Kings 4:1 - Additional Comments

Elisha had just delivered Moab into the hands of the 3 kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom (for the sake of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, the only godly one). Yet it appears Elisha was not remembered or recognized for it. He gave, and will continue to give, despite not getting anything in return.
Either that, or whatever they offered him he declined - he preferred working with people of the land rather than serving with the king, so he could have greater impact (and follow God's calling). He drew his strength and comfort and fulfillment from God, not from people.
Elisha performs 5 miracles in this chapter. Elisha's miracles were for use, not for show. It's okay that you help others and no one except they know about it. If God can be glorified, allow it, but make sure God's work in your life does not glorify you.
Note that this woman was a wife of a prophet -- some prophets married and had families.
Note that Elisha was familiar with this prophet ("... you know that your servant feared the Lord."). They say that one reason why Napoleon was so well liked was because he knew all his officers by name, but also their families, and what battles they had been involved in. You will have a much greater impact on others lives if you get involved in their lives, and know them, and their circumstances.
This prophet was probably one of the 7000 that had not worshipped Baal, when Elijah felt he was the only one left (1 Kings 19:10, 17).
Death is sad and troubling to those left behind, but all great men of God eventually come to the end of their life, no matter how great. It is inevitable, yet it never seems timely to us. When is it okay to die, or to "allow" someone to die?
Note this prophet died poor, which was probably the life and death state of most of the prophets. They do it for God, not profit.
The creditor is not patient with her, even though her husband was a prophet - he probably did not fear God. And her 2 sons were considered assets, to be used to pay her debts, by selling them as slaves for 7 years (Ex 21:2).
This shows how important it is to prepare your family for your eventual departure, without leaving them stranded and in need. At 30, if you save $50/week, at 10% interest, you will set aside around $500K by the time you are 60.

Comments are closed.