John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:16
And he said, about this season ,.... In the next year: according to the time of life ; the usual time women go with child: thou shalt embrace a son ; in thine arms, that shall be born of thee, which she should have in her lap, and in her bosom: and she said, nay, my lord, do not lie unto thine handmaid ; or speak unto her what was not truth; it was so great, and so unaccountable, how it could be in her circumstances, that she could not believe it to be true, though she wished it... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 4:8-17
The giving of a son to such as were old, and had been long childless, was an ancient instance of the divine power and favour, in the case of Abraham, and Isaac, and Manoah, and Elkanah; we find it here among the wonders wrought by Elisha. This was wrought in recompence for the kind entertainment which a good woman gave him, as the promise of a son was given to Abraham when he entertained angels. Observe here, I. The kindness of the Shunammite woman to Elisha. Things are bad enough in Israel,... read more