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Name: Kevin Landers, LUTCF
Date: 4.5.2020
Section: BIBL 104
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 1 Kings 21:1- 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)
The widow woman and Elisha
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
Elisha’s servant who feared the Lord died. The widow of this man came to Elisha
because a creditor, who her husband owed a debt to, came to take her children to repay
the debt. Since her husband was a God-fearing servant, the woman came to Elisha to ask
for help in keeping her children by repaying the debt owed another way. Elisha asks the
woman what she has and she responds with only having a jar of oil. Elisha offers the
woman to go borrow vessels, many of them, to fill and go sell to repay the debt, and for
her and her two sons to live on the rest of the profit afterwards.
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3. Narrative Structure: (50-100 words)
A widow woman’s husband, a servant and friend to Elisha, died, leaving the
widow with a debt that had to be paid. The widow woman approached Elisha near her
home, concerned with the creditor coming to take away her sons to be slaves of the
creditor indefinitely. The widow, knowing her husband had been a God-fearing man, told
Elisha her circumstance, and Elisha told her to get as much oil as she could, filling her
the only vessel she had and as many others that should could get her hands on and then
selling the valuable oil to gain money to repay the debt in full and have enough left over
to keep for herself and the two sons so the creditor would not take her sons. The widow
repaid the debt in full and lived with her two sons as a family, accomplishing the end
result that was desired. This was accomplished by God, filling needs in creative ways
through his follower Elisha, a man of God.
Introduction:
Description of Naboth’s vineyard and its proximity to the place of the king.
Inciting incident:
Naboth’s refusal to sell or trade his vineyard to King Ahab because God forbids it.
Rising action:
Queen Jezebel devices a plan to kill Naboth and the plan is carried out to completion.
Climax:
The prophet Elijah confronts King Ahab in Naboth’s vineyard
Falling Action:
Ahab humbles himself by tearing his clothes, putting on sackcloth, and fasting.
Resolution: God extends mercy to Ahab due to his contrite actions of humility.
C. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
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1. Who:
•
Widow Woman
•
Elisha
•
The Creditor
•
The Deceased Servant Man
2. What:
The widow woman was left with a debt a to a lender once her servant husband
died. In the days of Elisha women were not working citizens so there was no feasible way
for women to make income to pay for things, the men worked and served to earn
currency. The creditor mentioned was coming to take the widow woman’s two sons as a
repayment of the debt, to make the debt paid in full, to have the sons work the debt off as
was common in the days of Elisha. It seems as if the creditor was going to make the two
sons permanent slaves, it seems implied. Elisha grants the widow woman an opportunity
to pay the debt of her late husband by filling her jars, and ones she borrowed, with oil to
go and sell to repay the creditor. Oil was a valuable item, so once selling all the oil to pay
the debt she owed, she and her two sons had left over to live on as granted by Elisha.
3. Where:
•
In the widow’s town from near her home
4. When:
•
During Elisha’s (prophet) ministry
5. Why:
Why did the widow have a debt?
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- The husband, the servant, had borrowed before prior to his death and the debt
was left to her, the widow woman.
Why did the widow ask Elisha for assistance?
- The widow did not hesitate to ask Elisha for assistance because her husband
was a God-fearing man.
Why was the woman nervous and fearful about this debt?
- The two sons were at jeopardy of becoming the creditor’s slaves.
What did Elisha do for the widow woman and her two sons?
- Elisha told the woman to fill as many jars as she could find with oil and sell it
to repay the debt.
What did Elisha tell the woman to do with the rest of the oil after the debt was paid?
- Elisha told the woman to live off of the profit with her two sons in hand.
6. How:
How did God provide what was needed for the widow woman and her two sons?
- God sent Elisha to provide for her needs, giving her instruction to sell oil to
repay the debt and with leftovers to provide for her family.
How did Elisha accomplish what God has ordained?
- The one jar of oil the woman had became many after Elisha led her to request
help from neighbors. Many jars of oil were filled and sold.
II. Interpretation
A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words) explain what you
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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.
A main topic in this passage is that God will provide above and beyond what is
needed to those who love him and fear him, to those who seek his will for their lives. God
uses those of his church (Big “C” church) to accomplish and provides for others in his
church. The widow woman was able to keep her family as a single unit under the same
roof by repaying debt that God provided a way to do using a valuable resource such as
the oil to sell as fair market and maybe even above market value at the time. The loss of a
loved one is hard, there’s grief and a hole in one’s life. Although someone dying is God’s
will, God comforts and creates a path to comfort and being able to handle the loss of life
in various ways because he cares for his followers. The widow woman and her sons were
thankful and immediately went to work on the task Elisha gave them to do, which was no
doubt a Holy Spirit nudge to Elisha. The oil itself is a symbol of guidance and a path, it is
interesting to find various symbols and paths in passages of scripture.
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.
God provides for his children who seek after him. God will provide the blessings
of the heart, beyond the imagination and very creatively. God’s plans are perfect.
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.
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Redemption is an overcoming attribute of the gospel. In this story, God used
Elisha to save the woman and her sons from the debt owed to the creditor, he provided
plenty of valuable oil. Elisha obeyed the calling of God to this widow woman and her
two sons, providing redemption through oil, filling the gap just as Jesus did on the cross
for all. The oil is a representation of the Holy Spirit it seems, plenty of it and a way to a
peaceful life through acts of love through others who encourage and who are used by
God, just as Elisha made himself available to do.
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.
Finances are a big focal point for our world today, just as they have been for
centuries in whatever the available currency. Money is a necessity, sure, and we must
work as we are designed to do, it’s how God made us and we know this by looking back
at the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve were told to tend to the garden and to
cultivate it. When we have a need, we must trust God to provide for that need, his word
says he will provide. In this story, Elisha offered help to the widow by asking her how he
could help. The widow and her sons immediately went to work to repay the debt without
breaking the family apart, the Bible references this act of work for providing for family
many times. The widow trusted Elisha’s offer and suggestion, because she trusted God to
provide. God can afford more than any of us can, it is important to trust him to provide in
his perfect plans, which are better than our own.
C. How does this Old Testament narrative reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ? State
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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.
God’s plan, form the beginning of his creation when Adam and Eve separated
humanity from God’s glory and from perfection, has been to restore his creation back to
himself. In order to fulfill his plan, God came as man incarnate, sending his son Jesus
Christ to live as we live, yet in perfection without sin, and to die for all of mankind. By
the blood of Jesus, we are forgiven, restored, and redeemed having a way back to God’s
glory and perfected creation. Through Jesus only we have the blessings our hearts desire
when we believe and follow God’s word, just as the widow woman and her sons trusted.
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
By Elisha’s example, and by scripture to support the perspective, we are to tend to widows
and orphans who are a part of our church and surrounding community. As this passage clearly
shows a love in action, which we are commanded to show, and it being a fruit of the spirit, if we
see a need and we can fulfill that need, it is our duty to do so if God has given us the power and
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resources. If nothing else, we can encourage the brother or sister who is in need. The attributes of
concern, anxiety, and worry are pretty well removed from the widow it seems, and in our world
today, those that feel the tug and call of the Holy Spirit can abide and be in the gap for widows,
and children.
B. The question of character
Elisha, being an old testament prophet, emulates Jesus’ character so well by showing love
and encouragement to people outside of his household, but who are a part of the faith. Elisha
displayed concern and really dug into what the need was, where far too often today people
bypass the details and simply say, “I’m good” or “ok, I’m sorry to hear that”. In the new
testament many times we are told to provide for others in various ways, which Elisha did very
well in this passage. Our light is to shine, and we are to be the salt of the Earth, Elisha let his
light shine bright on this day.
C. The question of goals
The widow’s goal was to pay the debt and Elisha’s goal was to help with a real need, both
met their objectives on this day. Elisha wanted to help; the widow wanted to meet an obligation.
Elisha felt led to obey God, the widow felt led to completely trust God. It feels implied that the
widow also had a thankful attitude before Elisha made the offer to help, she approached with
humility and acknowledged the Lord, a vital piece to any situation we face. Elisha humbly
offered a way to peace, by God’s leading as he was a man of God.
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D. The question of discernment
Discernment is a spiritual gift that many have an abundance of, and some do not have this
gift as much as others. It is the responsibility of all believers to work together as a body of Christ
to meet needs, encourage, administer, teach, have mercy, and other vital components that create
the body of Christ in work for God’s Kingdom. Elisha showed a great deal of discernment here
as he right away offered a path for the widow and her two sons to maintain their family and to
repay a debt. The widow showed discernment by approaching Elisha with a strong faith, trusting
God to work it all out. As we live out our faith, as we walk our walks and continue to grow, we
will find that our discerning ways are fueled and confirmed by God’s word, prayer, other
believers, and circumstances.
