2 Kings 4:16-44

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 4:18-37

We may well suppose that, after the birth of this son, the prophet was doubly welcome to the good Shunammite. He had thought himself indebted to her, but henceforth, as long as she lives, she will think herself in his debt, and that she can never do too much for him. We may also suppose that the child was very dear to the prophet, as the son of his prayers, and very dear to the parents, as the son of their old age. But here is, I. The sudden death of the child, though so much a darling. He was... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 4:38-44

We have here Elisha in his place, in his element, among the sons of the prophets, teaching them, and, as a father, providing for them; and happy it was for them that they had one over them who naturally cared for their state, under whom they were well fed and well taught. There was a dearth in the land, for the wickedness of those that dwelt therein, the same that we read of, 2 Kgs. 8:1. It continued seven years, just as long again as that in Elijah's time. A famine of bread there was, but not... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:17

And the woman conceived, and bare a son at the season that Elisha said unto her ,.... Quickly after this she conceived, and became pregnant, and by that time the year came round, she was brought to bed of a son: according to the time of life : when she had gone her full time to have a son born alive, and live. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:18

And when the child was grown ,.... Perhaps was six or seven years of age, or more: it fell on a day that he went out to his father to the reapers ; it was harvest time, and the men were reaping the corn in the fields; and his father, though a wealthy man, was with them to direct them, and see they did their business well, as Boaz formerly; and the child went out from the house to the field, to see his father and the reapers, for his recreation and diversion. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:19

And he said unto his father, my head, my head ,.... After he had been some time with him, he complained of a pain in his head, which might be owing, as Abarbinel thinks, to the sun's beating upon it, being harvest time, and hot weather; and the pain being exceeding great and vehement, he repeated his complaint, see Jeremiah 4:19 . and he said to a lad, carry him home to his mother ; his father gave orders to a lad that attended the reapers to have him home to his mother, that she might... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:20

And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother ,.... The lad led him home, and delivered him to his mother: he sat on her knees till noon, and then died ; out of her great affection, she took him on her knees, and laid his head in her bosom to sooth the pain, and in this posture he continued until the middle of the day, and then expired; by which it appears it was in the morning when he went into the field, and when the sun was pretty high, and beat strongly on him; which, it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:21

And she went up ,.... Into the little chamber built for the prophet: and laid him on the bed of the man of God ; not from any imagination of any virtue in it to bring her child to life; though she might think of the prophet, and have faith that he could raise it to life, as Elijah raised the widow of Zarephath's son laid on his bed, of which she might have heard; but this being a private room, and into which none went, she laid it here to conceal its death from her husband and family,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:22

And she called unto her husband ,.... In the field, who might be within call, or by a messenger she sent to him: and said, send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again ; intimating that she should not be long gone, but should return again presently; saying not a word of the death of the child, or of the occasion of her going. read more

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