What does 2 Kings 4:14 mean?
"And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old." - 2 Kings 4:14
The verse 2 Kings 4:14 from the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old." This verse is taken from the story of the Shunammite woman, who showed great hospitality to the prophet Elisha and his servant Gehazi.
In this verse, Elisha is seeking to repay the woman for her hospitality by asking Gehazi what can be done for her. Gehazi responds by pointing out that the woman has no child and her husband is old, indicating that she is lacking an heir. This sets the stage for the miraculous birth of a son to the Shunammite woman, as promised by Elisha.
The story of the Shunammite woman is one of the many accounts of God's miraculous provision and blessing found in the Bible. It speaks to the themes of hospitality, faith, and divine intervention. The Shunammite woman's act of hospitality towards Elisha and her faith in God's prophet are ultimately rewarded with the blessing of a long-awaited son.
The context of this verse is important in understanding its significance. In ancient Israelite society, having a child, particularly a son, was of utmost importance. It was not only a source of joy and fulfillment for the parents, but it also guaranteed the continuation of the family line and inheritance. The fact that the Shunammite woman had no child was a source of great sorrow and possibly shame for her, and it was a situation that weighed heavily on her and her husband.
Elisha's promise to the woman that she would have a son was a direct intervention by God in response to her faith and her hospitality. It demonstrates God's ability to provide for his people in unexpected and miraculous ways. It also highlights the importance of showing kindness and hospitality to others, as the woman's act of generosity towards Elisha ultimately led to the fulfillment of her deepest desire.
The symbolism in this verse can be found in the woman's barrenness and the subsequent birth of her son. Barrenness is a common motif in the Bible, often symbolizing a lack of fruitfulness, whether it be in terms of physical fertility or spiritual productivity. In this case, the woman's barrenness represents a deep longing and a sense of unfulfilled potential. The birth of the son symbolizes the fulfillment of God's promise and the restoration of hope and joy.
Moreover, the birth of the son can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the miraculous births of other significant figures in the Bible, such as Isaac to Sarah, and John the Baptist to Elizabeth. These births are all symbols of God's ability to bring new life and new beginnings out of seemingly impossible situations.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 4:14 is a verse that speaks to the themes of hospitality, faith, and divine intervention. It demonstrates God's ability to provide for his people in unexpected and miraculous ways and highlights the importance of showing kindness and hospitality to others. The story of the Shunammite woman is a powerful example of how God can turn sorrow into joy and fulfill the deepest desires of our hearts. It serves as a reminder that God is always faithful to his promises and that he is able to bring new life and hope out of barrenness and despair.
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2 Kings 4:14 - "And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old."
"And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old." - 2 Kings 4:14
2 Kings 14:4 - "Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places."
1 Kings 4:14 - "Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim:"
"Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim:" - 1 Kings 4:14
2 Kings 14:18 - "And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 4:4-5
2 Kings 14:29 - "And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 12:14 - "But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD."
2 Kings 14:16 - "And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 14:14 - "And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria."
"Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places." - 2 Kings 14:4
2 Kings 14:22 - "He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers."
2 Kings 14:12 - "And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents."
2 Kings 14:15 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 10:4 - "But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?"
2 Kings 14:20 - "And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David."
"And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" - 2 Kings 14:18
2 Kings 14:1 - "In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah."
2 Kings 25:14 - "And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away."
2 Kings 7:14 - "They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see."
1 Kings 2:14 - "He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on."
2 Kings 17:14 - "Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God."
2 Kings 4:11 - "And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there."
2 Kings 14:17 - "¶ And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years."
2 Kings 6:14 - "Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about."
1 Kings 4:2 - "And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,"
2 Kings 14:2 - "He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem."
2 Kings 9:4 - "¶ So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead."
2 Kings 6:4 - "So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood."