2 Kings 4:33

KJV

He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

He went in {H935} therefore, and shut {H5462} the door {H1817} upon them twain {H8147}, and prayed {H6419} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD.

American Standard Version

He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Shunammite woman's son, illustrating the prophet Elisha's profound and immediate reliance on divine power. After entering the room where the deceased child lay, Elisha deliberately sealed himself off from all external distractions, creating a sacred, private space for intimate communion with God. This act of seclusion, immediately followed by fervent prayer to the LORD, underscores the prophet's unwavering faith and sets the stage for a miraculous divine intervention, demonstrating that true power for life and restoration emanates solely from God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point in the extended narrative of the Shunammite woman and her son, which spans [2 Kings 4:8-37](/2_kings/4-8 "2 Kings 4:8-37 - The Shunammite Woman and Her Son"). The story begins with Elisha's frequent visits to Shunem and the woman's hospitality, leading to Elisha's prophecy of a son, miraculously born despite her advanced age ([2 Kings 4:16](/2_kings/4-16 "2 Kings 4:16 - Elisha Prophesies a Son")). Years later, the child suddenly dies in the harvest field. The distraught mother, demonstrating remarkable faith and resolve, immediately seeks out Elisha on Mount Carmel, bypassing Gehazi's initial attempts to intervene. Upon arriving at the woman's house and finding the boy lifeless on his own bed, Elisha enters the room alone. The action of "shutting the door upon them twain" (Elisha and the dead child) signifies a deliberate move towards privacy and intense focus, isolating the prophet with the impossible situation and preparing for a direct, unhindered appeal to God, free from human observation or interference.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Elisha served as a prophet in Israel during a period of significant political and spiritual flux, following the ministry of Elijah. Prophets like Elisha were considered "men of God," figures through whom YHWH directly intervened in the lives of individuals and the nation. Their authority derived entirely from their relationship with God, often demonstrated through miraculous signs. In ancient Israel, prayer was a central component of worship and seeking divine intervention, whether publicly or privately. While public prayer and communal worship were common, instances of private, intense intercession were also recognized as powerful. The act of withdrawing to a private space for prayer, as seen here with Elisha, was a recognized practice for deep spiritual communion, allowing for undistracted focus on God. This act also subtly reinforces the idea that the prophet's power was not inherent but derived from the LORD, accessed through fervent petition.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Kings 4:33](/2_kings/4-33 "2 Kings 4:33 - Elisha's Private Prayer") powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book of [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "The Book of 2 Kings") and the broader prophetic narratives. First and foremost, it highlights **The Power of Prayer**, demonstrating that Elisha's immediate and primary response to the seemingly insurmountable situation of death is direct, fervent prayer to the LORD. This underscores that true power for miracles and life comes from God alone, not from human effort or ritual, echoing the similar reliance on prayer seen in [Elijah's raising of the widow's son](/1_kings/17-21 "1 Kings 17:21 - Elijah's Prayer for the Widow's Son"). Secondly, the act of "shutting the door" emphasizes the theme of **Privacy and Focused Communion**, illustrating the importance of eliminating distractions and creating a sacred, intimate space for intense intercession, fostering a direct and unhindered appeal to God. Thirdly, Elisha's actions are a profound testament to **Unwavering Faith in the Face of Despair**, showcasing his confident expectation that God could bring life from death, even in the most dire circumstances. Finally, God's willingness to respond to Elisha's prayer and the Shunammite woman's distress underscores the theme of **Divine Compassion and Sovereignty**, revealing God's ultimate authority over life and death and His readiness to intervene on behalf of His faithful servants and those who seek Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **shut (Hebrew: סָגַר, _sagar_):** This verb implies a deliberate and decisive action of closing or sealing. In this context, it signifies Elisha's intentional act of creating a private, consecrated space, separating himself and the dead child from the outside world. It is not merely closing a door for privacy but an act of spiritual focus, signaling a profound turning inward to commune solely with God, free from external distractions or human observation. This act establishes the chamber as a sacred space for divine intervention.
* **twain (Hebrew: שְׁנֵיהֶם, _shĕnêhem_):** An archaic English word meaning "two," referring specifically to Elisha and the deceased child. The use of "twain" emphasizes the intimate and isolated nature of the scene. It highlights the direct confrontation between the prophet (representing life and faith) and the lifeless body (representing death and despair), setting the stage for a singular, direct encounter between God's power and the ultimate human limitation.
* **prayed (Hebrew: וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל, _vayyitpallel_):** This is the Hithpael form of the verb פָּלַל (_palal_), meaning "to intercede," "to mediate," or "to pray." The Hithpael stem often denotes a reflexive or intensive action, suggesting Elisha's earnest, fervent, and self-directed engagement in prayer. It indicates a deep, personal pouring out of his heart to the LORD, not a mere recitation, but an intense appeal for divine intervention, underscoring the prophet's complete reliance on God's power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He went in therefore":** This clause indicates Elisha's purposeful entry into the room where the dead child lay. It is a decisive action, showing his direct engagement with the crisis and his intention to confront death with divine power. His entry is not hesitant but resolute, driven by the urgency of the situation and the mother's desperate plea.
* **"and shut the door upon them twain":** This is the pivotal action of the verse. Elisha deliberately closes the door, isolating himself and the dead child from Gehazi, the Shunammite woman, and any other potential observers or distractions. This act creates a sacred, private sanctuary, signaling a moment of intense spiritual concentration and direct communion with God. It emphasizes that the miracle to follow will be a result of divine power accessed through solitary, focused intercession, not through public spectacle or human agency.
* **"and prayed unto the LORD":** This is the ultimate and most significant action. Immediately after secluding himself, Elisha turns directly to YHWH in prayer. This demonstrates that his first and only recourse in the face of death is to appeal to the sovereign God of Israel. It highlights his unwavering faith and his understanding that only God possesses the power to restore life, setting the spiritual foundation for the miraculous resurrection that follows.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent in the act of "shutting the door," which symbolizes separation, intimacy, and the creation of a sacred space. This physical act represents Elisha's spiritual withdrawal from the world to engage in unhindered communion with God, emphasizing the exclusive nature of this divine encounter. The closed door also heightens the **dramatic tension**, as the reader is left in suspense, aware of the gravity of the situation (a dead child) and Elisha's profound act of faith, awaiting God's response. There is also an element of **foreshadowing**, as Elisha's deliberate actions and immediate turn to prayer strongly hint at the miraculous intervention that is about to unfold. Furthermore, the scene subtly draws a **thematic parallel** to Elijah's raising of the widow's son in [1 Kings 17:17-24](/1_kings/17-17 "1 Kings 17:17-24 - Elijah Raises the Widow's Son"), reinforcing the continuity of prophetic power and divine compassion through prayer in the lineage of God's servants.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Kings 4:33](/2_kings/4-33 "2 Kings 4:33 - Elisha's Private Prayer") serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine power and human intercession. It underscores that true spiritual authority and the capacity for miraculous intervention do not reside in the prophet himself, but are entirely derived from and dependent upon God. Elisha's immediate and solitary act of prayer demonstrates that in the face of ultimate human helplessness (death), the only viable recourse is direct, fervent appeal to the Sovereign LORD. This highlights God's absolute control over life and death, His responsiveness to the cries of His faithful servants, and the efficacy of prayer as a means of accessing His omnipotence. The privacy of the moment emphasizes the personal and intimate nature of such powerful communion, suggesting that deep spiritual breakthroughs often occur away from public gaze, in dedicated solitude with God.

* [1 Kings 17:21](/1_kings/17-21 "1 Kings 17:21 - Elijah's Prayer for the Widow's Son")
* [Matthew 6:6](/matthew/6-6 "Matthew 6:6 - Jesus' Teaching on Private Prayer")
* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The Power of Righteous Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Elisha's actions in [2 Kings 4:33](/2_kings/4-33 "2 Kings 4:33 - Elisha's Private Prayer") offer timeless and profound lessons for believers navigating moments of crisis and despair. His immediate turn to prayer, rather than relying on his own strength or seeking external solutions, serves as a powerful model for our own lives. In a world often characterized by busyness and distraction, Elisha's deliberate act of "shutting the door" challenges us to cultivate intentional solitude in our spiritual lives, creating sacred spaces where we can pour out our hearts to God without hindrance. This verse reminds us that our most potent resource in the face of the impossible is not human ingenuity or effort, but direct, unwavering faith in God's ability to transcend all limitations. It encourages us to make prayer our first response, not our last resort, trusting that God's power is made perfect in our weakness and that He hears and responds to the earnest petitions of His children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Elisha's immediate turn to prayer in the face of death challenge our own default responses to crisis and seemingly impossible situations?**
* **What does "shutting the door" mean for our prayer lives in a world filled with constant distractions and demands for our attention?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you being called to exercise unwavering faith in God's ability to do the impossible, even when circumstances seem hopeless?**

### FAQ
**Why did Elisha shut the door upon himself and the dead child?**

Answer: Elisha's act of "shutting the door" was highly significant. Firstly, it created **privacy and eliminated distractions**, allowing him to focus entirely on God without external interference or the emotional distress of the Shunammite woman or Gehazi. Secondly, it established a **sacred, intimate space** for direct communion with God. This act of seclusion is often associated with intense spiritual engagement and profound prayer, mirroring later biblical examples like [Jesus withdrawing to pray](/mark/1-35 "Mark 1:35 - Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place") or [Daniel praying in his upper room](/daniel/6-10 "Daniel 6:6 - Daniel Prays in His Upper Room"). It underscored that the power for the miracle would come solely from the LORD, accessed through Elisha's fervent intercession, not through any public display or human ritual.

**Is this a unique way of praying in the Bible, or are there similar instances of private, focused intercession?**

Answer: While the specific context of Elisha shutting himself in with a dead child is unique, the principle of private, focused, and intense prayer is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Many biblical figures sought solitude for deep communion with God. For instance, [Jesus frequently withdrew to lonely places to pray](/luke/5-16 "Luke 5:16 - Jesus Withdraws to Pray"), emphasizing the importance of private devotion. The prophet [Daniel prayed three times a day in his upper room with the windows open](/daniel/6-10 "Daniel 6:10 - Daniel Prays in His Upper Room"), a practice of focused prayer. The "secret place" of prayer is also taught by [Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/6-6 "Matthew 6:6 - Jesus' Teaching on Private Prayer"), where believers are encouraged to enter their "closet" to pray to God in secret. Elisha's action here is therefore consistent with a broader biblical pattern of seeking God intimately and without distraction for powerful intercession.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Elisha's intercession for the Shunammite woman's son and the subsequent restoration of life in [2 Kings 4:33](/2_kings/4-33 "2 Kings 4:33 - Elisha's Private Prayer") powerfully foreshadows the ultimate life-giving ministry of Jesus Christ. Elisha, as a "man of God," acts as a mediator and channel of divine life, demonstrating God's sovereignty over death through fervent prayer. This points forward to Jesus, the true "Man of God" and the very Son of God, who not only practiced profound private prayer ([Luke 5:16](/luke/5-16 "Luke 5:16 - Jesus Withdraws to Pray")) but also possesses inherent power over death itself. While Elisha prayed for life to be restored, Jesus *is* the resurrection and the life ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). He commanded the dead to rise with His own authority, as seen in the raising of [Jairus's daughter](/mark/5-41 "Mark 5:41 - Jesus Raises Jairus's Daughter"), the [widow's son at Nain](/luke/7-14 "Luke 7:14 - Jesus Raises the Widow's Son"), and most dramatically, [Lazarus from the tomb](/john/11-43 "John 11:43 - Jesus Raises Lazarus"). Elisha's act of "shutting the door" to secure a private space for life-giving prayer finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who, through His death and resurrection, definitively "shut the door" on the power of sin and death for all who believe ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ")). He is the ultimate intercessor, ever living to make intercession for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")), ensuring that through Him, spiritual life is continually bestowed upon those who were once dead in their transgressions.

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

Matthew 6:6

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

2 Kings 4:4

And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

Acts 9:40

But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning [him] to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

James 5:13

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

James 5:18

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

1 Kings 17:20

And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?

1 Kings 17:21

And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.