2 Kings 4:21

And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut [the door] upon him, and went out.

And she went up {H5927}, and laid {H7901} him on the bed {H4296} of the man {H376} of God {H430}, and shut {H5462} the door upon him, and went out {H3318}.

She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door on him and went out.

And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God. Then she shut the door and went out.

And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

Commentary

2 Kings 4:21 describes a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Shunammite woman and the prophet Elisha. After her only son, given to her through Elisha’s prophetic word, suddenly dies, she takes immediate and decisive action rooted in profound faith.

Context

This verse follows the tragic death of the Shunammite woman's son, who was miraculously born to her in her old age, as prophesied by Elisha (2 Kings 4:16). The boy had gone out to his father in the field and complained of a severe headache, likely sunstroke, before dying in his mother’s arms (2 Kings 4:19-20). Instead of lamenting publicly or preparing for burial, the Shunammite woman exhibits extraordinary faith and resolve. Her action in this verse sets the stage for Elisha's intervention and the boy's subsequent resurrection.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unwavering Faith: The Shunammite woman's immediate response is not despair but an act of faith. By laying her son on the prophet's bed, she demonstrates her conviction that God, through His servant Elisha, has the power to restore life. This act is a silent plea and a powerful declaration of trust in divine intervention.
  • Seeking God's Presence: She places her deceased son in the very space consecrated to the "man of God," indicating her belief that life and healing are found in proximity to God's anointing and presence. This chamber had been built by her and her husband specifically for Elisha's use (2 Kings 4:10).
  • Privacy and Purpose: Shutting the door suggests a private, solemn act. It could signify her desire for intimacy with God in her grief and a focused expectation of a miracle, free from immediate public scrutiny or interference. It also prevents anyone else from discovering the boy's death before she can seek Elisha.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "man of God" (Hebrew: ’ish ha’Elohim) is a recurring title for prophets like Elisha and Elijah in the Old Testament, emphasizing their special relationship with God and their role as His representatives. The "bed" (Hebrew: mittah) here is more than just furniture; it represents the prophet's personal space, imbued with a sense of his spiritual authority and God's presence.

Related Scriptures

This miracle parallels the earlier act of Elijah raising the widow of Zarephath's son (1 Kings 17:17-24), highlighting God's consistent power over death through His prophets. The ultimate victory over death is seen in Jesus Christ, who declared Himself the resurrection and the life.

Practical Application

The Shunammite woman’s actions in 2 Kings 4:21 offer a powerful lesson for believers today. In moments of profound crisis, especially when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges or loss, our first response should be to turn to God. Her faith teaches us to bring our "dead" situations—our deepest sorrows, failures, or impossible circumstances—into the presence of God, trusting in His power and His servants. It encourages us to find a quiet space of prayer and expectation, believing that God can do the impossible (Luke 1:37).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 4:32

    And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, [and] laid upon his bed.

  • 1 Kings 17:19

    And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.

  • 2 Kings 4:10

    Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

  • 2 Kings 4:7

    Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.
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