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Name: Kerrie Hamby
Date: 05/26/2020
Section: Bible 104 - Liberty University
Studying the Old Testament Narratives
Passage: 2 Kings 4:1-7
Instructions:
For this assignment, you will be studying the Old Testament story of Elisha and the Widow’s Oil
found in 2 Kings 4:1-7. You will use the template below in order to complete a study of this
passage. In your study, you will use the skills of Observation, Interpretation, Correlation, and
Application that you have become familiar with through your reading in Everyday Bible Study.
I. Observation
A. I have read 2 Kings 4:1-7 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB)
and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You will
find a copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your myWSB Library.
o Yes
o No
B. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters: (List them)
Elisha
The widow
The widow’s two sons
The neighbors
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
A widow went to seek help from Elisha after a creditor threatened to enslave her two sons over
unpaid debt. Having nothing in her house but a jar of oil, Elisha advised her to borrow pots from
her neighbors, enter her house shutting the door behind her, and fill the pots with the oil she had.
Once the pots were full, she was to sell the oil to pay her debt and have the rest of the money to
live off of.
3. Narrative structure: (50-100 words)
A widow went to Elisha explaining that the creditor has come to take her two sons as slaves for
the unpaid debt left by her deceased husband. Elisha asked what she had in her house, the widow
replied, “nothing but a jar of olive oil”. Elisha told her to go to her neighbors and borrow as
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many empty vessels that she could. The widow was instructed to return home, shut the door
behind herself and her two sons, and fill each vessel with the pot of olive oil she has while
setting each filled vessel aside one at a time. Once she was finished filling all the vessels, she
went and told Elisha who advised her to sell the oil to pay her debt then she and her sons could
live off the rest.
C. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
1. Who:
Elisha
The widow
The widows two sons
The widow’s neighbors
2. What:
An unpaid debt that the widow could not pay.
A small single pot of olive oil.
Elisha’s instructions.
Borrowed pots.
3. Where: Israel (Northern Kingdom)
4. When: Between 852 BC - 841 BC during the reign of King Joram
5. Why: Because the creditor threatened to enslave the widow sons.
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6. How:
Through Elisha’s faith in God and the widow’s obedience, the empty pots were filled
with enough oil to be sold to pay the debt and live off of.
II. Interpretation
A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words) explain what you
think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember, the Old Testament
narratives frequently communicate truth by showing it to us in story form instead of
telling it to us by way of teaching or sermon.
Multiple time throughout the Bible God has showed up and showed out when it comes to
fulfilling the needs of His people. I believe this story is just one example of that willingness.
Elisha was a representative of God, an instrument used by God for his glorification. Elisha may
not have known the vessels would be filled but I believe he had faith to know something
supernatural was going to happen therefore he gave her the instruction to borrow and fill the
pots.
I think this story is demonstrating a couple things. The widow in this story had an
unselfish sincere need that she addressed to Elisha he told her to borrow pots and fill them with
the oil she had. His instructions may not have made since to the widow because if there was
enough oil to fill the borrowed pots then she wouldn’t be troubled to start with, but she had faith
enough to follow. Secondly God provisions are exactly what they need to be, no more no less.
Just like in Exodus, the Israelites was supplied with just enough manna and quail to fulfill their
need, the oil provided to fill the empty was just enough, God knew what it would take to pay the
debt and for the woman to be able to provide for her children and that is what he supplied for her.
Faith can be hard, scary, second guessing, and full of misunderstanding but there is beauty in
knowing that God has a plan and he will provide.
B. Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You should be able
to express this principle in 1-3 sentences.
I believe the principle to this story is that through faith and obedience God will provide
for his children, without malice in our heart we just have to ask and trust in Him. We are God’s
chosen creation, formed in his likeness and He wants to provide for us. It is not God’s desire for
us to walk this life in misery and desolation, it has always been His plan to redeem and restore.
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III. Correlation
A. How does this Old Testament narrative fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State what
type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and
explain why you believe this to be so. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200
words) in length.
I believe this story is one of redemption and new creation. The widow was
grieved, she had lost her husband and was facing the loss of her children to slavery over
debt she was not able to pay. God transferred her from a situation of loss and despair and
restored in her and her two sons a new life where her debts were paid and her children
remained with her. The widow asked for help, obeyed her instruction with a faithful heart
and God supplied what she needed. God could have left the widow alone and lost in the
situation she was in but that was not His plan.
B. How does your principle fit with the rest of the Scripture? This principle is the one you have
written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If your principle is a true
Biblical principle it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where is the principle
discovered in this Old Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures? Your
explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
Life is full of uncertainties. We may face loss, poverty, or heartache, there seems to be
an obstacle around every corner! But we have a God ready, willing, and able to provide for us.
The bible says that God will give us the desires of our heart if we take delight in Him and I
believe that means our purpose has to be pure. James 4:1-3, “What causes fights and quarrels
among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not
have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do
not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with
wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures”. And Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask
and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to
you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the
door will be opened”.
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C. How does this Old Testament narrative reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ? State
and explain at least one way that the principle of this narrative can be identified in the
person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200
words) in length.
I believe this story is just one among many that highlights Gods ultimate plan of
redemption. Just as Elisha was used to glorify God, Jesus done the same. Jesus preformed a
multitude of miracles not only to prove he was the messiah but to glorify the Father. Jesus cast
out demons, raised the dead, turned water into wine, fed 5000 on 5 loaves and 2 fish, absorbed
all the sin of mankind, ect. The list is endless. I think in the old testaments God is saying “look at
what I am doing now, I love you this much but wait till you see who I am sending and the
miracles and sacrifice He will perform”
IV. Application
What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State and
explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of
these points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
A. The question of duty
Being a prophet, Elisha has a duty to follow God, in this story Elisha was approached by
a widow who needed help. Elisha could have turned a blind eye to the woman but he listened to
her need, questioned what she had, then told the woman to borrow and fill pots with the little jar
of oil she had. Realistically speaking we know that you cannot fill multiple pots with a single
small jar of oil but because Elisha feared and obeyed God, he was able to instruct the widow on
what to do. The widow had a duty to pay a debt and secure her children’s future. Seeking
guidance from Elisha, the widow trusted God, done what she was instructed to do, and had her
debt paid and her son’s future secured.
B. The question of character
Elisha had a servant’s heart, he followed Gods instructions thus enabling him to help
other and to glorify God. The widow was a desperate mother seeking advice to pay her debt and
to keep her kids, I believe she loved God and trusted in Him. I imagine it was hard for her to
seek help, not just seek help but to have to borrow vessels from her neighbors. She was given
instruction to better her situation and was not hesitant to follow those instructions. She could
have displayed doubt, fear, or greed but she stayed faithful and her situation was fixed.
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C. The question of goals
The goal for Elisha was to help the widow and follow his faith in God at the same time.
The widow’s goal was to pay her debt and keep her two sons with her. Through her expectations
the widow went to Elisha for help, stated her oppression, was honest in her answer concerning
what she had in her house, Elisha told her to borrow vessels, fill them in private with the jar of
oil she had, place them to the side one by one when filled. The widow done all that Elisha told
her and when she was done, she went back to Elisha and advised that she was finished. Elisha
told her to sell the oil, pay her debt, and live off what was left. The widow completed what she
set out to do.
D. The question of discernment
Elisha spoke to the woman what was in his heart, not judging the directions of God.
The widow followed Elisha’s instructions without thinking he was absolutely crazy. She knew
she had a job to do and without hesitant or judgment she borrowed and filled the vessels until
there was nothing left to fill, she did not try to borrow anymore. She remained faithful and was
able to completed her task. It would have been easy to allow satan to interfere and create doubt,
to laugh at Elisha and seek another solution but he held fast and allowed God to provide.
