2 Kings 4:25-37

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:34

And he went up ,.... To the bed, which was on an ascent in the chamber; see Gill on 2 Kings 1:4 and lay upon the child; as Elijah did on the widow's son of Zarephath, 1 Kings 17:21 . and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands, and stretched himself upon the child ; that is, he did each of these one after another, since the disproportion of their bodies would not admit of their being done together: and the flesh of the child waxed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:35

Then he returned and walked in the house to and fro ,.... Left the chamber, and came down to the house where the family chiefly resided, and walked to and fro in deep thought and meditation, and, no doubt, in fervent ejaculations for the wished for blessing to be completed: and went up ; to the chamber again, and up to the bed in it: and stretched himself upon him ; as before: and the child sneezed seven times ; which was a sign of life, and even of health; and hereby his head... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:36

And he called Gehazi, and said, call this Shunammite ,.... To come up to the chamber to him: so he called her: and when she was come in unto him, he said, take up thy son ; from off the bed, alive, safe, and sound. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:37

Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground ,.... In reverence of him, and with the most profound gratitude and thankfulness for the mercy received: and took up her son, and went out ; of the chamber into her house, with great joy and gladness. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:26

It is well - How strong was her faith in God and submission to his authority! Though the heaviest family affliction that could befall her and her husband had now taken place; yet, believing that it was a dispensation of Providence which was in itself neither unwise nor unkind, she said, It is well with me, with my husband, and with my child. We may farther remark that, in her days, the doctrine of reprobate infants had not disgraced the pure religion of the God of endless compassion. She... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:27

The Lord hath hid it from me , and hath not told me - In reference to this point he had not now the discernment of spirits. This, and the gift of prophecy, were influences which God gave and suspended as his infinite wisdom saw good. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:28

Did I desire a son of my lord ? - I expressed no such wish to thee; I was contented and happy; and when thou didst promise me a son, did I not say, Do not deceive me? Do not mock me with a child which shall grow up to be attractive and engaging, but of whom I shall soon be deprived by death. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:29

Salute him not - Make all the haste thou possibly canst, and lay my staff on the face of the child; he probably thought that it might be a case of mere suspended animation or a swoon, and that laying the staff on the face of the child might act as a stimulus to excite the animal motions. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:30

I will not leave thee - The prophet it seems had no design to accompany her; he intended to wait for Gehazi's return; but as the woman was well assured the child was dead, she was determined not to return till she brought the prophet with her. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:32

Behold , the child was dead - The prophet then saw that the body and spirit of the child were separated. read more

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