2 Kings 4:19

KJV

And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} unto his father {H1}, My head {H7218}, my head {H7218}. And he said {H559} to a lad {H5288}, Carry {H5375} him to his mother {H517}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Suddenly he cried out to his father, "My head! My head hurts!" He said to his servant, "Carry him back to his mother."

Berean Standard Bible

“My head! My head!” he complained to his father. So his father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.”

American Standard Version

And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to his servant, Carry him to his mother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The verse 2 Kings 4:19 dramatically captures the sudden onset of a severe illness in the Shunammite woman's son, a child miraculously granted through the prophet Elisha's intercession. While out in the fields during harvest, the boy cries out to his father, complaining of intense head pain, prompting his father to immediately send him home to his mother. This poignant moment serves as a critical turning point, setting the stage for a profound demonstration of God's power through Elisha, highlighting life's fragility and the unwavering faith of a mother.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the larger narrative of Elisha's ministry, specifically focusing on his relationship with the hospitable Shunammite woman. The preceding verses ([2 Kings 4:8-17](/2_kings/4-8 "2 Kings 4:8-17 - Elisha and the Shunammite Woman")) recount Elisha's prophecy of a son for the barren woman as a reward for her kindness, a prophecy that was miraculously fulfilled. The boy's sudden illness in [2 Kings 4:19](/2_kings/4-19 "2 Kings 4:19 - The Shunammite Son's Sudden Illness") abruptly shifts the tone from joy and blessing to crisis and despair. This unexpected turn immediately precedes the boy's death ([2 Kings 4:20](/2_kings/4-20 "2 Kings 4:20 - The Boy Dies in His Mother's Lap")) and the mother's determined journey to seek Elisha's help ([2 Kings 4:21-25](/2_kings/4-21 "2 Kings 4:21-25 - The Shunammite Mother Seeks Elisha")), culminating in the miraculous resurrection of her son ([2 Kings 4:32-37](/2_kings/4-32 "2 Kings 4:32-37 - Elisha Raises the Boy")). The narrative carefully builds tension, emphasizing the depth of the trial before the display of divine power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Shunem, a town located in the fertile Jezreel Valley, known for its agricultural productivity. The mention of the boy being "out in the fields with his father among the reapers" points to the summer harvest season, a time when temperatures in the region could be extremely high. This detail strongly suggests that the boy's sudden cry of "My head, my head" was likely due to sunstroke or heatstroke, a common and potentially fatal affliction in such conditions. The father's immediate instruction to "Carry him to his mother" reflects the typical family structure where the mother was the primary caregiver for young children, especially in times of illness. This cultural expectation underscores the father's natural, albeit ultimately insufficient, response to the crisis, highlighting the profound bond between mother and child and setting the stage for the mother's extraordinary actions.
* **Key Themes:** The events of [2 Kings 4](/2_kings/4 "2 Kings 4 - Elisha's Miracles") are rich with theological and narrative themes. [2 Kings 4:19](/2_kings/4-19 "2 Kings 4:19 - The Shunammite Son's Sudden Illness") specifically underscores the theme of **sudden affliction and human vulnerability**, even for those who are direct recipients of God's blessing. It highlights that life, even miraculous life, is fragile and subject to unexpected trials. The father's immediate, instinctive response to send the boy to his mother introduces the theme of **parental concern and the unique role of a mother** in caring for her child, which becomes central to the mother's desperate and unwavering faith in the subsequent narrative. Ultimately, this tragic event serves as a **catalyst for a profound demonstration of divine power**, revealing God's sovereignty over life and death and His ability to work through His chosen prophets. It foreshadows the greater miracle of resurrection, reinforcing the theme of **God's faithfulness even in the face of apparent loss**.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Head (Hebrew, _ro'sh'_):** The repetition of "My head, my head" (רֹאשִׁי רֹאשִׁי - *ro'shi ro'shi*) is a classic Hebrew idiom for emphasis and intensity. It is not merely a statement of location but a visceral cry of severe, overwhelming pain and distress. This double utterance immediately conveys the gravity and suddenness of the boy's affliction, signaling a critical and life-threatening condition rather than a minor ailment. It is a direct, unfiltered expression of suffering.
* **Lad (Hebrew, _na'ar'_):** The term "lad" (נַעַר - *na'ar*) refers to a young servant or attendant. The father's command to a "lad" rather than directly carrying the boy himself or calling for a specific family member suggests the immediate availability of household staff or field workers. This detail speaks to the social standing of the Shunammite family, who were "prominent" ([2 Kings 4:8](/2_kings/4-8 "2 Kings 4:8 - The Shunammite Woman's Hospitality")), and highlights the father's immediate, practical, albeit ultimately insufficient, response to the crisis by delegating the task of transporting his ailing son.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto his father, My head, my head.":** This opening clause delivers the dramatic turning point of the narrative. The boy's direct address to his father, combined with the emphatic, repeated cry of "My head, my head," vividly communicates the sudden onset of severe, incapacitating pain. This is not a gradual illness but an acute crisis, immediately signaling to the reader that something gravely wrong has occurred. The simplicity of the phrase underscores its urgency and the boy's extreme distress.
* **"And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.":** The father's response is immediate and instinctive. Recognizing the severity of his son's condition, he delegates the task of transport to a servant. His instruction to "Carry him to his mother" reflects the cultural understanding that the mother was the primary caregiver for a young child, especially in illness. While a natural reaction, this decision also highlights the father's inability to fully grasp the life-threatening nature of the affliction, or perhaps his hope that the mother's care would be sufficient. This action sets the stage for the mother's subsequent, more proactive and faith-filled response.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Repetition** is prominently featured with the boy's cry, "My head, my head," which powerfully conveys the intensity and urgency of his pain, immediately drawing the reader into his suffering. This simple yet emphatic phrase creates a sense of **pathos**, evoking deep sympathy for the afflicted child and foreshadowing the tragic outcome. The suddenness of the illness, juxtaposed with the earlier miraculous birth, creates **dramatic irony**; the reader knows the boy is a gift from God, making his sudden suffering all the more poignant. Furthermore, the entire scene functions as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the boy's imminent death and, more significantly, preparing the reader for Elisha's miraculous intervention, which will demonstrate God's ultimate power over life and death. The shift from the joyous harvest setting to the boy's sudden collapse also serves as a **juxtaposition**, highlighting the unpredictable nature of life and the swift transition from blessing to trial.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The sudden illness of the Shunammite son in [2 Kings 4:19](/2_kings/4-19 "2 Kings 4:19 - The Shunammite Son's Sudden Illness") serves as a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty over all aspects of life, including suffering and death. Even a child given miraculously as a divine blessing is not immune to the trials of a fallen world. This event underscores the fragility of human life and the reality that God's purposes often unfold through unexpected difficulties. It is a testament to the truth that God allows trials not as an absence of His care, but often as a means to reveal His greater power and faithfulness, to test and refine faith, and to draw His people into deeper reliance upon Him. The subsequent narrative of resurrection demonstrates that God's power extends even beyond the grave, offering hope in the face of despair.

* [Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - The Lord Gives and Takes Away")
* [Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - God Alone Gives Life and Death")
* [1 Samuel 2:6](/1_samuel/2-6 "1 Samuel 2:6 - The Lord Kills and Makes Alive")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in [2 Kings 4:19](/2_kings/4-19 "2 Kings 4:19 - The Shunammite Son's Sudden Illness") offers a stark reminder of life's inherent fragility and unpredictability. In a moment of seemingly ordinary activity, a vibrant young life is suddenly plunged into crisis. This should prompt us to cultivate a posture of gratitude for each day and to hold our blessings with open hands, recognizing that even the most cherished gifts are ultimately in God's sovereign care. When unexpected trials or suffering strike, our initial human responses may be to seek immediate, practical solutions, much like the father sending his son to his mother. However, the larger narrative teaches us that true help often lies beyond our natural capabilities, requiring us to turn to God and His appointed means of grace. The Shunammite mother's subsequent actions exemplify a faith that refuses to be limited by circumstances, demonstrating that even in the face of death, there is a divine resource available for those who earnestly seek it. This story challenges us to consider where we place our ultimate hope and trust when life unravels.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond when unexpected suffering or crisis enters my life or the lives of those I love?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge my assumptions about God's protection over those He has blessed?**
* **What is my "lad" – the immediate, human solution I turn to – before seeking God's supernatural intervention in times of crisis?**

### FAQ
**What was the nature of the boy's illness, and why is it significant?**

Answer: While the text does not provide a medical diagnosis, the description of the boy being "out in the fields among the reapers" during harvest time, coupled with his cry of "My head, my head," strongly suggests sunstroke or heatstroke. This is significant because it highlights the sudden, acute, and life-threatening nature of the illness. It was not a lingering sickness but an immediate collapse, emphasizing the fragility of life and the abrupt shift from health to crisis. The specific cause, while implied, is less important than the *effect*—a sudden, severe affliction that leads to death and ultimately serves as the catalyst for God's miraculous intervention through Elisha, demonstrating His power over life and death, even in seemingly natural circumstances.

**Why did the father send the boy to his mother instead of taking him himself or seeking medical help?**

Answer: The father's instruction to "Carry him to his mother" reflects the cultural norms of the time, where the mother was the primary caregiver for young children, especially when they were ill. It was a natural, instinctive response to entrust the child to the one most intimately involved in his daily care and nurturing. While it might seem insufficient in hindsight, it was likely the most immediate and culturally appropriate action for a father in the field. Furthermore, the narrative focuses on the mother's subsequent actions, which are driven by a deep faith and understanding that only divine intervention could save her son, transcending the limitations of human care or ancient medical practices. This decision sets the stage for the mother's extraordinary journey of faith to Elisha, as seen in [2 Kings 4:22-25](/2_kings/4-22 "2 Kings 4:22-25 - The Shunammite Woman Journeys to Elisha").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The sudden illness and subsequent death of the Shunammite son in [2 Kings 4:19](/2_kings/4-19 "2 Kings 4:19 - The Shunammite Son's Sudden Illness") and the miraculous resurrection by Elisha serve as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the ultimate victory over death achieved by Jesus Christ. Elisha, as God's prophet, acted as an instrument of divine power, bringing life back to a dead body. This miracle, like Elijah's earlier resurrection of the widow of Zarephath's son ([1 Kings 17:17-24](/1_kings/17-17 "1 Kings 17:17-24 - Elijah Raises the Widow's Son")), points forward to the one who is the "resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). Jesus did not merely act as an instrument but possessed inherent power over death, as demonstrated by His raising of Jairus's daughter ([Mark 5:35-43](/mark/5-35 "Mark 5:35-43 - Jesus Raises Jairus's Daughter")), the widow of Nain's son ([Luke 7:11-17](/luke/7-11 "Luke 7:11-17 - Jesus Raises the Widow's Son")), and most profoundly, Lazarus after four days in the tomb ([John 11:38-44](/john/11-38 "John 11:38-44 - Jesus Raises Lazarus")). The Shunammite son's return to life was a temporary reprieve, but Christ's own resurrection from the dead ([Matthew 28:1-10](/matthew/28-1 "Matthew 28:1-10 - The Resurrection of Jesus")) guarantees eternal life for all who believe in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). Thus, the sorrow and subsequent joy in 2 Kings 4 ultimately direct our gaze to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and conquers death itself, offering a hope that transcends any earthly trial or temporary restoration.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.