18. It came to pass. In this and the following verses the writer largely repeats what he has already said. With obvious satisfaction he states again the predictions of Elisha and the officer’s words of doubt, and shows again how completely the prophet’s predictions had been fulfilled.
It was by such experiences as these that the Lord was slowly drawing the children of Israel back again to faith and obedience, and to the religion of their fathers. For many years the people had been worshiping idols. Both priests and rulers were evil. Kings took a leading part in apostasy and iniquity. Injustice, immorality, intemperance, and cruelty were to be seen on every hand. Temples of worship became seats of iniquity. God’s chosen people had strayed far from righteousness and the ways of holiness and peace. They needed to learn anew concerning God, that He was kind and good, that He loved His people, and that He desired them to walk in the ways of mercy, justice, and truth. Under Israel’s present circumstances these lessons were exceedingly hard to learn. Ordinary measures did not suffice. Therefore such men as Elijah and Elisha were sent, proclaiming messages of rebuke and appeal and working singular miracles. The result was that many were brought back again to reason and righteousness and to faith and obedience to God. Holy men of God were living out before their fellows the life and love of God, and as a consequence a new spirit and hope were coming back into the hearts and lives of men. Once more the peace and righteousness of heaven were beginning to be seen among the children of earth. The work of Elisha was not in vain.
1. Then. we, a simple conjunction, most frequently translated “and.” It should not be construed as having reference to time as if the events to be related followed chronologically those of the preceding chapter. The opening clause of the chapter may as correctly be translated, “and Elisha had said.” Events related in Scripture do not necessarily take place in exact accord with the sequence in which they have been recorded.
This incident took place some time after that recorded in 4:8-37, but how long after we do not know. At the time of the restoration of the son the husband was still alive. But now there are indications that she may have become a widow. At least her husband is not mentioned, and the instructions given to leave her once prosperous home seem to be directed to one who was without the guiding help of a husband.
Sojourn. Elisha took a kindly interest in the people whom he was called to serve. He tried to be a friend to all. Wherever he could do something to make the lot of someone lighter and better, there he was ready to help. There were hard times ahead, and the woman was counseled to depart for a time to sojourn in some place where the situation would be easier than at her home at Shunem.
A famine … seven years. This famine took place sometime during the reign of Joram of Israel, but exactly when, it is impossible to say
