Check engine light flashes on and off when accelerating and battery died

Lately I have been noticing that my car
kind of putters when I try to accelerate and
when I do so too quickly, the check engine
light flashes on and off for a few seconds
then turns off. Also, yesterday I had to
speed home due to an emergency but
when I started it back up today there was
no start. Does anyone know of any idea as
to why this would be happening ? Also, I
tried to see if engine would rev up normally
after I jumped it and it only goes to 4 rpm...
it only goes to 4,000 rpm and won't pass
that point.