2 Kings 4:42

Baal-shalisha. There is insufficient information to positively locate this town. It may be the same as the district of Shalisha (see on 1 Sam. 9:14).

Of the firstfruits. According to the law of Moses, all first fruits of the harvest were to be offered to God, and were to be given to the priests (Num. 18:12, 13; Deut. 18:4). In this instance a certain faithful worshipper of Jehovah brought his first fruits to Elisha, “the man of God.” The Levitical priests had long before this withdrawn from the northern kingdom (2 Chron. 11:13, 14), and some of the pious in Israel probably recognized in the prophets the representatives of Jehovah to whom they might bring the offerings required by the law to be given to the priests.

Of barley. Barley was usually used in Palestine as feed for animals, but at times was made into cakes or loaves (Judges 7:13; John 6:9) and eaten by the people, although it was regarded as secondary to wheat.

Ears of corn. Heb. karmel, “fruit.” Grain or probably any similar garden product.

The Hebrew word translated “husk,” and in the margin, “scrip” or “garment,” does not occur elsewhere in Scripture. Its meaning is uncertain. Some suggest “sack” or “bag.”

Give unto the people. It was a time of need, even with the prophet and those with him. The people were hungry and in need of food. Elisha could have thought of himself and of his own interests, but instead he thought of those of the people. So Jesus, when with His disciples in a desert place, “saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them” (Matt. 14:14). When evening came, the disciples wished to send them away, that they might find food for themselves, but the words of Jesus were, “They need not depart; give ye them to eat” (Matt. 14:16). God still speaks to His children today as they look upon the weary and needy multitudes of earth, “Give the people, that they may eat.”