2 Kings 4:43

43 But his servant said, "How can I set this before a hundred people?" So he repeated, "Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, "They shall eat and have some left.' "

2 Kings 4:43 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 4:43

And his servitor said
His servant Gehazi very probably:

what, should I set this before one hundred men?
for so many, it seems, the sons of the prophets were in this place; and these loaves being very small, no more, it is thought by some, than one man could eat, and the ears of corn but few, the servant suggests they would be nothing comparatively to such a company of men:

he said again, give the people, that they may eat;
he insisted upon it that his orders should be obeyed:

for thus saith the Lord, they shall eat, and shall leave thereof;
it was suggested to him by a spirit of prophecy, there would be enough for them, and to spare.

2 Kings 4:43 In-Context

41 He said, "Then bring some flour." He threw it into the pot, and said, "Serve the people and let them eat." And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

42 A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, "Give it to the people and let them eat."

43 But his servant said, "How can I set this before a hundred people?" So he repeated, "Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, "They shall eat and have some left.' "

44 He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.