Chapter Summary

Increase of the widow's oil. Woman of Shunom and her son restored to life. Noxious pottage healed. A hundred men fed.

Discussion Questions for 2 Kings, Chapter 4

1. How did the widow's neighbors play a role in your her story? How would you respond if your neighbor asked for an empty vessel? What does it take to be a good neighbor?
2. The widow's faith is seen in her willingness to follow Elisha directions. What does faith look like in your life? Faith isn't alway a grand move, but simple acts of obedience, what are some simple acts of obedience in your life that show great faith?
3. God is a giver of life. The widow was able to sell the oil that her and her sons might have life. How has God been a life giver to you? What about to your family?
4. Like the Shunammite woman, how does God your worldly wealth to provide for other believers? How can you steward your money in way that glorifies God?
5. Did the woman build the room for Elisha expecting something in return? What do you expect when you do good things for others? How does God honor believers when they care for the lives of others?
6. What is the woman's one desire? If you could ask but one thing of the Lord what would it be?
7. In what ways does the Shunammite woman demonstrate faith? How do you demonstrate faith in your daily walk? Is your faith stronger in times of need or times of plenty?
8. In both stories about the Shunammite woman how does Elisha demonstrate faith? In what ways does God provide for Elisha through the Shunammite woman? How have you demonstrated faith in a time of uncertainty? How did this time strengthen your faith in God?
9. How does Elisha save the men from the deadly stew? How are they fed by the man from Baal-shilishah? By whose power are the men fed? How has God spared you from potential destruction in your life? How can you establish guardrails to protect yourself from potential sin?
10. Chapter four ends with the familiar statement, "according to the word of the Lord." How can we trust the word of the Lord? What does the word of the Lord provide for us?

Key Words/Phrase

Man of God, vv. 7, 9, 16, 21, 22, 40, 42.

Characters

God, Elisha, widow, Shunanmite woman, Gehazi, sons of prophets, man of Baalshalishah.

Strong Verse(s)

6, 7, 40, 41.