2 Kings 4:26

KJV

Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, [Is it] well with thee? [is it] well with thy husband? [is it] well with the child? And she answered, [It is] well.

KJV (with Strong's)

Run {H7323} now, I pray thee, to meet {H7125} her, and say {H559} unto her, Is it well {H7965} with thee? is it well {H7965} with thy husband {H376}? is it well {H7965} with the child {H3206}? And she answered {H559}, It is well {H7965}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Run now to meet her, and ask her, "Is everything all right with you? with your husband? with the child?" She answered, "Everything is all right."

Berean Standard Bible

Please run out now to meet her and ask, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’” And she answered, “Everything is all right.”

American Standard Version

run, I pray thee, now to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse captures a pivotal moment in the dramatic narrative of Elisha and the Shunammite woman, immediately preceding the miraculous resurrection of her son. Elisha, sensing the woman's urgent approach, dispatches his servant Gehazi to inquire about the well-being of her and her family. Her profound, yet seemingly contradictory, response—"It is well"—serves as a powerful declaration of faith and resolute purpose, setting the stage for God's divine intervention through His prophet.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point in the extended narrative of Elisha and the Shunammite woman, which begins with Elisha's prophecy of a son for the barren woman in [2 Kings 4:8-17](/2_kings/4-8 "2 Kings 4:8-17 - Elisha and the Shunammite Woman"). The child, a miraculous gift, suddenly dies in [2 Kings 4:18-20](/2_kings/4-18 "2 Kings 4:18-20 - The Son's Death"). Distraught but determined, the woman immediately lays her dead son on Elisha's bed and sets out to find the prophet on Mount Carmel, refusing to explain her urgency to her husband in [2 Kings 4:21-25](/2_kings/4-21 "2 Kings 4:21-25 - The Shunammite Woman Seeks Elisha"). Elisha, discerning her distress from afar, sends Gehazi to meet her, leading to the exchange in this verse. Her terse response to Gehazi highlights her single-minded focus on Elisha, the only one she believes can truly address her desperate need, directly preceding the prophet's arrival and the subsequent resurrection in [2 Kings 4:32-35](/2_kings/4-32 "2 Kings 4:32-35 - Elisha Resurrects the Son").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the birth of a son, especially to an older, previously barren woman, was seen as a profound blessing and a sign of divine favor, often fulfilling a promise (e.g., Isaac to Abraham and Sarah). Conversely, the death of an only son was a devastating tragedy, threatening the family line and its future. Prophets like Elisha served as God's direct spokespersons and instruments, often performing miracles that demonstrated divine power. The greeting "Is it well?" (Hebrew: _Shalom_) was a common inquiry about overall well-being, encompassing peace, health, prosperity, and wholeness. The Shunammite woman's journey to Mount Carmel was a significant undertaking, demonstrating her extraordinary determination and faith in Elisha's connection to God's power. Her refusal to fully disclose the tragedy to Gehazi, a mere servant, but reserving her desperate plea for the prophet himself, reflects a cultural understanding of hierarchy and the specific role of a man of God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the narrative and the broader book. The most prominent is **Faith in Adversity**, as the Shunammite woman's declaration of "It is well" in the face of her son's death is a profound statement of unwavering trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and ability to restore. It is not a denial of reality but an affirmation of **Hope Beyond Circumstance**, demonstrating a conviction that her ultimate well-being rests in God's hands, transcending the immediate tragic situation. This hope is ultimately justified by the miraculous resurrection that follows, underscoring the theme of **Divine Power Over Death**. Furthermore, the woman's **Purposeful Communication**—her brevity with Gehazi and her determination to speak only to Elisha—highlights the importance of seeking the true source of help and grace, rather than dwelling on the problem itself. This narrative also showcases the **Authority and Efficacy of God's Prophets** as instruments of His will, as seen in Elisha's discernment and subsequent actions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Well (Hebrew, _shalom'_):** The repeated word "well" (שָׁלוֹם, _shalom_) is central to this verse's meaning. While often translated simply as "peace," _shalom_ encompasses a much richer and more comprehensive concept in Hebrew thought. It signifies completeness, wholeness, prosperity, health, safety, harmony, and well-being in every aspect of life—physical, spiritual, relational, and communal. Therefore, when the Shunammite woman declares "It is well" (_shalom_), despite her son's death, she is making a profound theological statement. She is not lying or denying the tragedy; rather, she is affirming her belief in God's ultimate _shalom_ for her life, trusting that He can restore what is broken and bring wholeness even out of despair and death. Her declaration is a statement of faith in God's character and power, anticipating His restorative work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her,"**: This opening clause conveys Elisha's immediate and urgent command to his servant Gehazi. Elisha, from a distance, senses the woman's distress and the gravity of her approach, prompting him to send Gehazi ahead for a preliminary assessment. The instruction reflects Elisha's prophetic discernment and his desire for a swift understanding of the situation.
* **"[Is it] well with thee? [is it] well with thy husband? [is it] well with the child?"**: Elisha's questions are comprehensive, inquiring about the well-being (shalom) of the woman herself, her husband, and crucially, the child. The repetition of "is it well?" underscores the depth of Elisha's concern for the family's holistic welfare and perhaps his premonition that the child is the source of the distress. This tripartite inquiry covers the entire household, reflecting the cultural importance of family unity and health.
* **"And she answered, [It is] well."**: This is the climactic and most profound part of the verse. The Shunammite woman's terse, one-word response is a powerful declaration of faith. It is not a denial of the horrific reality of her son's death, but rather a refusal to acknowledge defeat before Gehazi, whom she knows cannot help. Her "It is well" is an affirmation of her conviction that God, through Elisha, *will* make it well, that He is capable of restoring the _shalom_ that has been shattered. It is a statement of hope that transcends her immediate, tragic circumstances.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices**. **Repetition** is evident in the repeated question "Is it well?" and the woman's singular answer "It is well," which serves to emphasize the central theme of _shalom_ and highlight the profound nature of her response. There is significant **irony** present, specifically **dramatic irony**, as the reader is aware that the child is dead, yet the woman declares "It is well." This creates tension and underscores the depth of her faith, as she speaks a truth that transcends the visible reality. Her declaration also functions as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the miraculous restoration of "well-being" (shalom) that is about to occur through Elisha's intervention. Finally, the verse presents a stark **contrast** between the woman's inner turmoil and the devastating reality of her son's death versus her outward declaration of "well-being," showcasing the power of faith to speak hope into seemingly impossible situations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Shunammite woman's declaration, "It is well," stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of faith in the face of overwhelming adversity. It is not a denial of reality, but a radical affirmation of God's ultimate sovereignty and His power to bring wholeness (shalom) even out of death. Her response teaches us that true faith looks beyond immediate circumstances to the character and promises of God, trusting that He is able to restore what is broken and redeem what is lost. This narrative underscores God's attentiveness to human suffering and His willingness to intervene through His chosen instruments, demonstrating His power over life and death. It calls believers to cultivate a hope that is anchored in God's faithfulness, even when all visible evidence suggests otherwise.

* [Hebrews 11:35](/hebrews/11-35 "Hebrews 11:35 - Women Received Their Dead by Resurrection")
* [Romans 4:18-21](/romans/4-18 "Romans 4:18-21 - Abraham's Faith in Hope Against Hope")
* [Psalm 46:1](/psalm/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is Our Refuge and Strength")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Shunammite woman's response in 2 Kings 4:26 offers a powerful paradigm for believers navigating trials and tribulations today. Her ability to declare "It is well" when her heart was undoubtedly shattered challenges us to consider the nature of our own faith. It teaches us that faith is not merely an intellectual assent but an active declaration, a choice to speak words of hope and trust over our circumstances, even when they seem dire. This doesn't mean denying pain or ignoring reality, but rather anchoring our hope in God's greater reality and His ultimate power to redeem and restore. We are called to cultivate a spiritual posture that, like the Shunammite woman, persistently seeks God and His appointed means of grace (prayer, scripture, spiritual guidance) in times of crisis, rather than succumbing to despair or focusing solely on the problem. Her story reminds us that our "shalom" ultimately rests in God's hands, and we can declare His goodness even when the path ahead is shrouded in darkness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Shunammite woman's declaration of "It is well" challenge our natural inclination to only speak what we see or feel in difficult circumstances?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently called to declare God's "shalom" even when circumstances seem to contradict it?**
* **What does this narrative teach us about the importance of persistent and focused prayer, and seeking God's appointed means of grace, in times of crisis?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Shunammite woman answer "It is well" when her son was dead?**

Answer: Her answer "It is well" (Hebrew: _shalom_) was a profound declaration of faith, not a lie or a denial of her son's death. She was speaking to Gehazi, Elisha's servant, and likely chose not to disclose the full, devastating truth to him because she knew he could not help her. Her focus was entirely on Elisha, the prophet of God, whom she believed was the only one through whom God could intervene. Her "shalom" was an expression of her unwavering trust that God, through Elisha, could and would restore the "well-being" of her family, even from death. It was a statement of hope that transcended her immediate, tragic circumstances, rooted in her previous experience of God's faithfulness in giving her the child (see [2 Kings 4:16](/2_kings/4-16 "2 Kings 4:16 - Elisha's Prophecy of a Son")).

**What does this story teach us about the role of a prophet like Elisha?**

Answer: This story powerfully illustrates the role of a prophet as God's instrument and intermediary. Elisha demonstrates prophetic discernment by sensing the woman's distress from afar and sending Gehazi to meet her. He acts as a conduit for God's power, ultimately raising the child from the dead. The narrative highlights the prophet's authority, his intimate connection to divine power, and his role in bringing God's intervention into human affairs. The Shunammite woman's single-minded pursuit of Elisha underscores the cultural and spiritual understanding that true help and divine intervention came through God's appointed messengers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Shunammite woman's profound declaration, "It is well," in the face of death finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. Her faith, which dared to speak _shalom_ over a dead son, foreshadows the ultimate _shalom_ brought by the true Prophet, Jesus. Just as Elisha was God's instrument to restore life, Jesus is the very embodiment of life and the conqueror of death. He is the one who truly brings comprehensive "well-being" to humanity, not only physically but spiritually and eternally. Christ is the "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace")), the one who offers a peace that transcends all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")). His own resurrection from the dead is the ultimate guarantee that for all who believe in Him, even in death, "it is well." He declared, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). The Shunammite woman's hope for a restored son points to the greater hope of eternal life and resurrection for all believers through Christ's victory over the grave ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). In Him, the ultimate _shalom_ is secured, and we can confidently declare, "It is well with my soul."

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.

Cross-References

Acts 15:36

¶ And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, [and see] how they do.

1 Samuel 17:18

And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of [their] thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

2 Kings 4:23

And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? [it is] neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, [It shall be] well.

Psalms 39:9

I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst [it].

Genesis 37:14

And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

Genesis 29:6

And he said unto them, [Is] he well? And they said, [He is] well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

Job 1:21

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.