And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets. (2 Kings 4:38)
See on ch. 2:1. Elijah had done much in building up the work of the Lord by the interest he displayed in these important centers of training where young men could receive a preparation for a life of ministry to their fellow men. Elisha continued his interest in these schools. Often he visited them to give necessary encouragement and counsel.
There was a dearth.
Dearth was common in ancient Palestine, and brought much suffering and often death (see on Gen. 12:10).
Sitting before him.
The occasion was probably one of spiritual instruction. As Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, so these young men sat before Elisha and learned from him lessons of God. These would be regarded as precious hours, and the Holy Spirit would be present, bringing to the minds of the youth lessons of faith and confidence in God. They learned to appreciate the things of the Spirit more than their daily food.
Set on the great pot.
Spiritual food is important, but the body also needs to be fed. Elisha was probably touched as he saw in the lean forms of the students the effects of the famine that was wasting the land. Interested in their spiritual welfare, he also took an interest in their temporal needs. Orders were given that the great pot should be set, so that all might be fed.