Bible moment
The Bible moment
In 2 Kings 4:1–7, an unnamed widow tells Elisha that her deceased husband’s creditor is coming to take her two sons as servants because of a debt. Elisha asks what she has in her house. She answers that she has nothing except a jar of oil. Elisha instructs her to borrow empty containers from her neighbors, go inside with her sons, shut the door, and pour the oil into the containers. Her sons bring the containers, and she fills them one by one. When there are no more containers, the oil stops. Elisha then tells her to sell the oil, pay the creditor, and live with her sons on what remains.
Look closely
What children can notice
Inside the closed household, the widow pours from her jar while her two sons bring empty containers one by one and set filled containers aside. The calm composition shows the oil continuing until there are no containers left.
Talk together
Talk about it
- How did the widow’s sons help their mother?
- What did Elisha tell the widow to do with the oil?
For families, church, and class
Use this page
Use this page with 2 Kings 4:1–7 in family reading, Sunday school, church classrooms, or homeschool lessons. Invite children to notice the widow’s obedience, the sons’ helpfulness, and the responsible use of the oil. Keep the scene calm and avoid adding details not given in the passage.
Source note
From this passage
2 Kings 4:5-6 · Elisha and the Widow’s Oil
Inside the closed household, the widow pours from her jar while her two sons bring empty containers one by one and set filled containers aside. The calm composition shows the oil continuing until there are no containers left.
