2 Kings 4:32

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

And when Elisha {H477} was come {H935} into the house {H1004}, behold, the child {H5288} was dead {H4191}, and laid {H7901} upon his bed {H4296}.

When Elisha reached the house, there the child was, dead and laid on the bed.

When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed.

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

Commentary

2 Kings 4:32 describes the poignant moment of Prophet Elisha's arrival at the Shunammite woman's house, confirming the tragic reality of her son's death. This verse marks a critical juncture in one of the Bible's most powerful accounts of faith and divine intervention.

Context

This verse is central to the narrative of the Shunammite woman and her son, a story that begins with her selfless hospitality towards Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-10). As a prophetic reward for her kindness, Elisha promised her a son, despite her advanced age (2 Kings 4:16). Years later, the child suddenly dies (2 Kings 4:20), plunging the mother into deep grief. Driven by unwavering faith, she immediately sought Elisha. Before Elisha's arrival, his servant Gehazi had been sent ahead but failed to revive the child (2 Kings 4:31). This verse details Elisha's personal entry into the house, finding the boy's lifeless body laid upon his own bed, a stark confirmation of the tragedy.

Key Themes

  • The Reality of Death: The verse starkly presents the finality of the child's death, emphasizing the human experience of loss and grief. The phrase "the child was dead" leaves no room for ambiguity, setting the stage for a profound demonstration of God's power over life and death.
  • Elisha's Direct Involvement: Unlike Gehazi, Elisha enters the inner chamber, signifying his personal and compassionate engagement with the situation. His presence underscores the prophet's role as a direct conduit for divine power.
  • A Scene of Desperation and Hope: For the Shunammite woman, this moment represents the climax of her desperation, yet her persistent pursuit of Elisha reveals an underlying hope that only the man of God could bring about a miracle.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's simple yet powerful declaration, "behold, the child was dead," uses the Hebrew word hinnΔ“h (Χ”Φ΄Χ Φ΅ΦΌΧ”) translated as "behold." This interjection often serves to draw immediate attention to a crucial point or a sudden realization, highlighting the gravity and finality of the child's state upon Elisha's entry. It underscores the profound challenge that lay before the prophet and the God he served.

Practical Application

This verse, though grim in its immediate context, serves as a powerful setup for a display of divine power. It reminds us that:

  • God is Present in Our Deepest Sorrows: Even in moments of profound loss and despair, like the Shunammite woman experienced, God's presence and potential for intervention are real.
  • The Importance of Seeking God: The Shunammite woman's relentless pursuit of Elisha, despite the seemingly hopeless situation, exemplifies persistent faith. We are encouraged to seek God's intervention, even when circumstances appear irreversible.
  • God's Power Overcomes All Barriers: The confirmation of death in this verse only magnifies the subsequent miracle of the child's resurrection, demonstrating God's ultimate authority over life and death. This parallels the earlier miracle of Elijah raising the Zarephath widow's son, reinforcing the consistent power of God through His prophets.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 17:17

    ΒΆ And it came to pass after these things, [that] the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.

  • John 11:17

    ΒΆ Then when Jesus came, he found that he had [lain] in the grave four days already.

  • Luke 8:52

    And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.

  • Luke 8:53

    And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
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