Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 4:44
So he set [it] before them, and they did eat, and left [thereof], according to the word of the LORD.
42 44. Elisha feeds one hundred men with twenty loaves (Not in Chronicles)
44. from Baal-shalisha ] R.V. Baal-shalishah. The name is found only here, and the LXX. writes it or , as though in this instance Baal had been interchangeable with the more common Hebrew prefix, in geographical names, Beth. The place cannot have been remote from Gilgal. The ‘land of Shalishah’ was close to mount Ephraim, as we see in the account of Saul’s search for the asses (1Sa 9:4). Probably Baal-shalishah was one village or town of this district.
bread of the firstfruits ] On the custom of bringing an offering to the prophets, cf. 1Sa 9:7. In that case the present was spoken of in connexion with some enquiry to be made from him. And it may have been so here, though as the offering was from the first fruits, it may have been brought as a religious duty (cf. Lev 23:14) and presented to Elisha, as the representative of God, in this time when there was no place to which such offerings could be brought. If this be so, it is another token, among many, that the law of Jehovah was not forgotten by some among the people in the northern kingdom.
full [R.V. fresh ] ears of corn ] This is the rendering of one word in the Hebrew, which from its use elsewhere seems to mean the first gathered and best of the corn. The interpreters explain it, some of the grain itself, some of the flour made from it. But the leading idea is its newness, hence the change to ‘fresh’ instead of ‘full’. The passages for comparison are Lev 2:14; Lev 23:14, in each of which the change has been made to ‘fresh’ in R.V.
in the husk thereof ] R.V. in his sack. The word is only found here. It is agreed however that it signifies some sort of bag. The A.V. took it of the covering of the grain, but the Vulgate gives pera, i.e., a scrip or wallet. The Complutensian text of the LXX. supports this rendering, the Alexandrine version attempts a transliteration of the unusual word.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
44. they did eat, and left thereof] Compare with this the miracles of our Lord (Mat 14:15-21; Mat 15:32-38; Joh 6:5-14). In this account of Elisha there is however not much dwelling on the increase of the bread by a miracle, and we are left to accept the result as either brought about in that way, or by the appetites of the men being satisfied with a small quantity.
The LXX. omits ‘so he set it before them’ at the commencement of this verse.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
So he set it before them,…. The twenty barley loaves, and the full ears of corn:
and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the Lord; as the disciples did at the miracle of the loaves and fishes; though that must be allowed to be a greater miracle than this, Mt 14:17.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(44) And they did eat, and left thereof.Comp. our Lords miracles, already referred to. Bhr denies any miraculous increase of the food. He makes the miracle consist in the fact that the one hundred men were satisfied with the little they received, and even had some to spare. Similarly, Thenius thinks that the provisions were not inconsiderable for a hundred men (?), and that the emphasis of the narrative lies rather on Elishas absolute confidence in God than on His wonder-working powers; but this is certainly opposed to the sacred writers intention. Keil rightly calls attention to the fact that Elisha does not perform, but only predicts, this miracle.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
REFLECTIONS
How lovely is it to behold in this great woman of Shunem, (as she is called) the blessed fruits of real piety. Reader! if we love Jesus, we cannot but love his people. This commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also. She did not say to the prophet; be ye warmed and filled, notwithstanding, the things are not given which are needful to the body. But, like another Lydia, her language was; If ye have Judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And shall I not constrain thee, thou blessed Jesus, as oft as thou passeth by, to turn in unto me, that we may eat bread together? And be thou not as a way-faring man, that tarrieth but for a night; but I would constrain thee to continue to the breaking of the day: and do thou, dearest, honored Lord, do thou make thyself known to me in breaking of bread and of prayer. And though I have nothing to provide thee; nothing, like this Shunammite, to give thee, (as the bed, and the table, and the stool, and the candlestick;) yet, when thou comest, thou wilt bring all things with thee; and thou thyself wilt be all things to me; light to my darkness, a rest for my wearied soul to repose upon, and wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, that all my glorying may be in thee, O Lord!
My soul! do thou learn from this great woman, another sweet lesson. While men of the world, from the world are seeking their portion, and would rejoice at the offer of being spoken of to the king of an earthly court; oh! for grace, like her, to see the happiness of dwelling among that people, whose distinguishing character it is, that they shall dwell alone, and not be reckoned among the nations. Yes! blessed Jesus! I would be spoken for to thee indeed, and count it my chief joy to be of thy people.
And lastly, before I take my leave of this precious chapter, let me look up to thee, thou blessed Author and Finisher of faith, that thou wouldest give me a portion of the same precious spirit, which this Shunammite possessed in so large a degree. Is it possible, dearest Jesus, that I can thus read of a woman, who lived in ages so remote from thy coming, acting faith upon covenant promises, to such an extent as really to receive her dead child, by virtue of it, raised to life again; and yet who live so many ages after thou hast wrought out and completed thy salvation, possessing all thine exceeding great and precious promises, doubt and fear, and too often call in question, the certainty of them? Oh! for grace to believe the record God the Father hath given of his dear Son. Lord! I would pray, above all things, give me faith, that I may be a patient follower of them who now through faith and patience inherit the promises. Lord! make me faithful unto death, that I may obtain that crown of glory which fadeth not away.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ki 4:44 So he set [it] before them, and they did eat, and left [thereof], according to the word of the LORD.
Ver. 44. And they did eat, and left. ] It grew in their hands, as Mat 14:20 Joh 6:12-13 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Reciprocal: Rth 2:14 – she did 2Ki 4:6 – when the vessels 2Ch 31:10 – we have had Mat 14:20 – were Luk 9:17 – and there