2 Kings 4:8-17 NIV

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 4:8

And it fell on a day ,.... Or so it was at a certain time: that Elisha passed to Shunem ; a city in the tribe of Issachar; of which see Joshua 19:18 , where was a great woman ; of great wealth and riches, of great benevolence and hospitality, and of great grace and piety; that feared sin, as the Targum paraphrases it; a woman of great credit and reputation on all accounts. The Jews say F21 T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 57. 2. she was the sister of Abishag the Shunammite, and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:9

And she said unto her husband ,.... Not being willing to do any thing without his leave and consent: behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God which passeth by us continually : and calls here frequently: this she perceived by his discourse and conversation; and by his carriage and behaviour he appeared to be a prophet, and one very eminent for holiness and religion. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:10

Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall ,.... Either of the city, to which their house might join, or of their garden, a little distance from the house; though the Jewish writers commonly understand it of a little edifice built up of walls of stone or bricks, and not one with reeds, or stud and mud: let us set for him there a bed ; that he may stay all night when he pleases: and a table ; not only to eat his food, but to write on, and lay his books on he reads. Of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:11

And it fell on a day that he came thither ,.... As he had been wont to do: and he turned into the chamber ; built for him, and to which he was directed: and lay there ; all night, and which no doubt was frequently repeated by him, he accepting of the kindness of his host. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:12

And he said to Gehazi his servant ,.... Who attended him wherever he went, and ministered to him, and lay very probably in the same chamber with him; he might be one of the sons of the prophets: call this Shunammite ; tell her I desire to speak with her: and when he had called her, she stood before him ; at the door of the chamber, in great reverence of him, and with much humility, waiting to hear what he had to say to her: this must be understood after what had further passed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:13

And he said unto him ,...., To Gehazi, before he went to call her: say now unto her, behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care ; in building a chamber, and furnishing it with proper household goods, and providing food for them from time to time: what is to be done for thee ? can anything be thought of by thee that will be acceptable, and in my masters power to do for thee, or thy husband? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host ? that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:14

And he said ,.... That is, Elisha to Gehazi, when he returned to him, and told him what the Shunammite said: what then is to be done for her ? something he thought should be done in gratitude, the favours they had received, and advises with his servant what could be thought of, he being one about the house: and Gehazi answered, verily she hath no child, and her husband is old ; and so not likely to have any by him; as children were always very desirable by women, and especially in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:15

And he said, call her ,.... Perhaps finding an impulse on his own mind, from the Spirit of God, that this was the thing to be done for her: and when he had called her, she stood in the door ; of his chamber: See Gill on 2 Kings 4:12 . 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 4:8-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:16

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