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Matthew Henry

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

John Gill

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:16

Thou shalt embrace a son - This promise, and the circumstances of the parties, are not very dissimilar to that relative to the birth of Isaac, and those of Abraham and Sarah. Do not lie - That is, Let thy words become true; or, as the rabbins understand it, Do not mock me by giving me a son that shall soon be removed by death; but let me have one that shall survive me. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 4:1-44

TYPICAL MIRACLES WROUGHT BY ELISHA . General introduction . The miracles of this chapter are all of them miracles of mercy. The first and last consist in the multiplying of food, and thus belong to the same class as our Lord's feeding the four and the five thousands, and Elijah's increasing the meal and oil of the widow of Zarephath ( 1 Kings 17:10-16 ). It serves no useful purpose to ask how miracles of this class were wrought. The inspired writers have not told us; and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 4:8-17

Kindness requited. I. GOOD MEN CARRY THEIR GOODNESS WHEREVER THEY GO . The Shunammite's words are a testimony to the character of Elisha. "I perceive that this is a holy man of God, which passeth by us continually." Elisha's conduct and conversation showed him to be a holy man of God. It was evident that God was with him, and that he lived near to God. He did not leave his religion behind him at home. Wherever he was, he took his religion with him. A lesson for modern... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 4:8-17

Hospitality. "And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem," etc. In these verses there are two very interesting subjects of a practical character. I. HOSPITALITY RIGHTFULLY EMPLOYED . The object of the hospitality was Elisha the prophet, and the author of it is called here "a great woman." 1 The account given is very clear and sententious. "And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 4:8-17

The lady of Shunem: 1. A son given. The scene of this exquisite story is the town of Shunem, on the slope of Little Hermon, one of the eminences looking down on the rich and extensive plain of Jezreel. I. RECEIVING A PROPHET IN THE NAME OF A PROPHET . In this town dwelt a wealthy lady, wife of a man who had large possessions in land—the Boaz of that district. The first part of the story is a beautiful instance of the consecrated use of wealth. 1. Elisha observed .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 4:8-37

2. The promise of a child to the Shunammite woman, and the restoration of the child to life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 4:8-37

Godliness has, to a large extent, the promise of this life, as well as of the life to come. The "good Shunammite" and her husband are examples of the union, which is more common than men are apt to allow, between piety and prosperity. They have nothing heroic about them, nothing out of the common. They are substantial middle-class people, dwelling in a quiet country-side, farming on a moderate scale, with a comfortable house of their own, dwelling contentedly amid their laborers and their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 4:16

And he — i.e. Elisha— said, About this season, according to the time of life —rather, when the time comes round ; literally, revives ; i.e. about this time next year — thou shalt embrace a son ; i.e. "a son shall be born to thee, whom thou wilt embrace, as mothers are wont to do." And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. Like Sarah, the woman was incredulous; she could not believe the good tidings, and thought the prophet was only... read more

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