FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation 2 Kings 8:1
KJVThen spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.
Read it in context
The Shunammite’s Land Restored
Start reading at 2 Kings 8:1 (2 Kings 8:1 to 2 Kings 8:6).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
- 8:1 Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.
- 8:2 And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years.
- 8:3 And it came to pass at the seven years' end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land.
- 8:4 And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.
- 8:5 And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.
- 8:6 And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Jeremiah is the traditional Jewish attribution to Kings. The completed work incorporates records of Israel and Judah and events during exile; its final compiler is uncertain. Biblical references: 2 Kings 15:11; 2 Kings 25:27. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Kings 8:1–8:29): The Shunammite woman appears before the king, and Elisha meets Hazael concerning Benhadad. The concluding royal notices concern Judah's rulers and households. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The Israelite and Judean community in and after the exile, reflecting on why both kingdoms fell and what remained of the Davidic line. Biblical references: 2 Kings 17:7; 2 Kings 23:27; 2 Kings 25:27. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Shunammite’s Land Restored. Read 2 Kings 8:1 through 2 Kings 8:6 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book continues the divided-kingdom histories through Assyria's conquest of Israel and Babylon's conquest of Judah, ending with a notice concerning Jehoiachin. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Israel and Judah, including Samaria and Jerusalem, and ends with exile in Babylon. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Shunammite’s Land Restored (2 Kings 8:1 to 2 Kings 8:6). Start reading at 2 Kings 8:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus cites the cleansing of Naaman in His discourse at Nazareth. This supplies a specific connection to the book's prophetic narratives and challenges assumptions about privilege. See 2 Kings 5:14, Luke 4:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Hear warnings before repeated refusal hardens into habit. Reform, repentance, and faithfulness should be assessed from the narrated response to God's word, not merely a ruler's reputation. interpretation
Cited: 2 Kings 8:1, 2 Kings 8:6, 2 Kings 5:14, Luke 4:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Jeremiah (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. It cites older court records as sources.
2 Kings 1:182 Kings 15:11
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Jeremiah.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated. The closing events occur during the exile.
Related passages
- A. M. 3113. B.C. 891. whose son 2 Kgs 4:18,31-35
- sojourn Gen 12:10 Gen 26:1 Gen 47:4 Ruth 1:1
- the Lord Gen 41:25,28,32 Lev 26:19-20,26 Deut 28:22-24,38-40 1 Kgs 17:1 1 Kgs 18:2 Ps 105:16 Ps 107:34 Hag 1:11
- called for a famine Jer 25:29
- seven years Gen 41:27 2 Sam 21:1 2 Sam 24:13 Luke 4:25
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings 8
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
2 Kings 17:7 2 Kings 23:27 2 Kings 25:27
Hazael Murders Ben-hadad
2 Kings 8:7–15FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThe transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation Jehoram Reigns in Judah
2 Kings 8:16–19FocusRoyal succession, reform, and persistent sin
Connection to the wholeThe accounts of the kings culminate in Assyria's conquest of Israel and an extended explanation of the disaster.
interpretation Edom and Libnah Rebel
2 Kings 8:20–24FocusRoyal succession, reform, and persistent sin
Connection to the wholeThe accounts of the kings culminate in Assyria's conquest of Israel and an extended explanation of the disaster.
interpretation Ahaziah Reigns in Judah
2 Kings 8:25–29FocusRoyal succession, reform, and persistent sin
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The accounts of the kings culminate in Assyria's conquest of Israel and an extended explanation of the disaster.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin.
2 Kings 17:7 2 Kings 23:27 2 Kings 25:27
FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThe transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation The kingdoms and Israel's fall
2 Kings 8:16–17:41FocusRoyal succession, reform, and persistent sin
Connection to the wholeThe accounts of the kings culminate in Assyria's conquest of Israel and an extended explanation of the disaster.
interpretation Judah before its fall
2 Kings 18:1–23:30FocusHezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah
Connection to the wholeThe reigns contrast trust, grave unfaithfulness, and reform while the announced judgment on Judah remains in view.
interpretation Jerusalem falls and Judah is exiled
2 Kings 23:31–25:30FocusDestruction and a final note of favor
Connection to the wholeBabylon's conquest ends the kingdom's rule in Jerusalem; the closing notice concerning Jehoiachin leaves the reader beyond the destruction itself.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.