The Widow’s Oil (2 Kings 4.1-7)

The Widow’s Oil (2 Kings 4.1-7)

The woman’s husband, of the company
of prophets. To Elisha, then she cried:
“His creditors will take as property
my boys to sell as slaves now that he died.

“You know my husband gave unto the LORD
deep reverence.” Elisha, in reply:
“How can I help? What have you in your store?”
“My house is lacking much, I can’t deny.

“A jar of olive oil, what I possess.”
He said: “Go ask them for their empty jars.
Your neighbors, ask for plenty — an excess
of jars is what you need. Then go and bar

your door behind you, with your boys inside.
Pour all your oil into the jars they bring.
With each jar filled, then put it to the side.
What’s been before, this unlike anything.”

The boys, their mother, many jars, they brought.
Each one, into which olive oil she poured.
The flow of oil not stopping when it ought.
Poured to the jars until there were no more.

All jars were filled, then to her son said she:
“Bring me another one.” This he replied:
“The jars, the empties, all are full, you see.”
The flow of oil then instantly went dry.

She went and told Elisha what occurred.
“Go sell the oil; to your account, inure.
The proceeds, use to pay the debts incurred.
The balance then provides for you and yours.”