Single lesson
Elisha and the Poisoned Stew
2 Kings 4:38–41
During a famine, Elisha helped a hungry group when their stew became dangerous to eat.
Before you teach
Elisha came back to Gilgal at a hard time, because there was a famine in the land. The sons of the prophets were sitting before him. Elisha told his servant to get a large pot and boil stew for them. One of the men went out into the field to gather herbs for the meal. He found a wild vine and picked a lap full of wild gourds. He brought them back and cut them up into the pot, but they did not recognise what they were.
Describe the central teaching of Elisha and the Poisoned Stew, using two details from the reading. During a famine, Elisha helped a hungry group when their stew became dangerous to eat.
Welcome: Elisha and the Poisoned Stew
4 minIntroduce “Elisha and the Poisoned Stew” and locate 2 Kings 4:38–41. During a famine, Elisha helped a hungry group when their stew became dangerous to eat. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
2 Kings 4:38, 2 Kings 4:40, 2 Kings 4:41
Read and explain the passage
8 minElisha came back to Gilgal at a hard time, because there was a famine in the land. The sons of the prophets were sitting before him. Elisha told his servant to get a large pot and boil stew for them.
When the stew was served and the men started to eat, they cried out, calling Elisha the man of God. They knew something was badly wrong. They said there was death in the pot, and they could not eat it.
Elisha asked for some meal to be brought. He threw it into the pot and told them to serve the people. Then there was nothing harmful in the pot, and they could eat. In the middle of famine, God cared for them through Elisha.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Elisha and the Poisoned Stew”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
2 Kings 4:38, 2 Kings 4:39, 2 Kings 4:40, 2 Kings 4:41
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with ““One of the men went out into the field to gather herbs for the meal.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. During a famine, Elisha helped a hungry group when their stew became dangerous to eat. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
2 Kings 4:39, 2 Kings 4:40, 2 Kings 4:41, 2 Kings 4:38
Make and respond: Story sequence booklet
9 minWork on “Elisha and the Poisoned Stew: Story sequence booklet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Elisha and the Poisoned Stew” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
2 Kings 4:38, 2 Kings 4:40, 2 Kings 4:41
Closing: return to Elisha and the Poisoned Stew
3 minRevisit 2 Kings 4:38–41. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Elisha and the Poisoned Stew and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
2 Kings 4:38, 2 Kings 4:40, 2 Kings 4:41
Questions to explore
“One of the men went out into the field to gather herbs for the meal.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?
One of the men went out into the field to gather herbs for the meal. He found a wild vine and picked a lap full of wild gourds. He brought them back and cut them up into the pot, but they did not recognise what they were.
2 Kings 4:39, 2 Kings 4:40, 2 Kings 4:41
How does this moment affect the rest of the account: “When the stew was served and the men started to eat, they cried out, calling Elisha the man of God.”?
When the stew was served and the men started to eat, they cried out, calling Elisha the man of God. They knew something was badly wrong. They said there was death in the pot, and they could not eat it.
2 Kings 4:40, 2 Kings 4:38, 2 Kings 4:39
“Elisha asked for some meal to be brought.” How does this ending connect with the beginning?
Elisha asked for some meal to be brought. He threw it into the pot and told them to serve the people. Then there was nothing harmful in the pot, and they could eat. In the middle of famine, God cared for them through Elisha.
2 Kings 4:41, 2 Kings 4:40, 2 Kings 4:38
Make, think or respond
Elisha and the Poisoned Stew: Story sequence booklet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “Beginning”, “What changes?”, “How it ends”.
- Read 2 Kings 4:38–41. Use “Elisha and the Poisoned Stew” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Talk through your notes with an adult. Add a word, drawing or short quotation that helps you remember each part.
- Retell the account using your three panels, checking the order against the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Elisha and the Poisoned Stew connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read the selected verses aloud, prepare the three panels and let them respond with drawings or a few words. Use Elisha and the Poisoned Stew as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between Elisha and the Poisoned Stew and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read 2 Kings 4:38–41. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
2 Kings 4
38 Elisha came again to Gilgal. There was a famine in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, “Get the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.”
39 One went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered a lap full of wild gourds from it, and came and cut them up into the pot of stew; for they didn’t recognize them.
40 So they poured out for the men to eat. As they were eating some of the stew, they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.
41 But he said, “Then bring meal.” He threw it into the pot; and he said, “Serve it to the people, that they may eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.
