2 Kings 4:27-37

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:27

And when she came to the man of God to the hill ,.... To the top of it: she caught him by the feet ; in reverence to him, and as a supplicant, she prostrated herself at his feet, and, out of affection to him, caught hold on them, and held them fast, and determined not to leave him until he had promised to go with her, see Matthew 28:9 . It was usual with the Jews to lay hold on and kiss the feet or knees of those to whom they did homage, or made supplication, see Matthew 28:9 . See... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:28

Then she said, did I desire a son of my lord ?.... It was not at her request she had one, at least the first motion was not from her; the prophet first told her, and assured her she should have one, without her asking for it; she might be pleased with it, and desire the promise might be fulfilled; but it was not an inordinate, importunate, desire of one, in which she had exceeded, that so the taking it away from her might be a correction of her for it: did I not say, do not deceive me ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:29

Then he said to Gehazi, gird up thy loins ,.... His loose and long garments about him, that he might make quicker dispatch in travelling: and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way ; not for the sake of travelling with it, but for an end after mentioned: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again ; that so no time may be lost: and lay my staff upon the face of the child ; he not intending when he said this to go himself, but at the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:30

And the mother of the child said ,.... Having no faith in what the servant was to do, or could do: as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee ; signifying she would not go with his servant, but insisted upon it that he himself went with her, or she would not depart: and he arose, and followed her ; influenced by her importunity, and a sense of favours he had received from her, and more especially by the Spirit of God. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:31

And Gehazi passed on before them ,.... The prophet and the Shunammite: and laid the staff upon the face of the child ; as he was ordered: but there was neither voice nor hearing : it seems as if he spoke when he laid the staff on the child, but it heard and answered him not, so that there was no sign of life in it: wherefore he went again to meet him ; upon the road between Carmel and Shunem: and told him, saying, the child is not awaked ; by which he expresses its being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:32

And when Elisha was come into the house ,.... Of the Shunamite, and into the chamber built for him: behold, the child was dead, and laid upon the bed ; upon his bed, and where he found it really dead. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:33

He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain ,.... Himself and the dead child; that nobody might come in and interrupt him in his prayers for the restoration of it to life, nor see the motions and gestures he used, and the postures he put himself in: and prayed unto the Lord ; that he would restore the child to life. read more

John Gill

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

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