2 Kings 4:27

Commentary on 2 Kings 4:27 (KJV)

2 Kings 4:27: "And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul [is] vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid [it] from me, and hath not told me."

Context

This verse is part of the captivating narrative of the Shunammite woman, a prominent figure in the ministry of the prophet Elisha. Prior to this, she had shown great hospitality to Elisha, building him a special room. In return for her kindness, Elisha miraculously promised her a son, despite her advanced age (2 Kings 4:16). The promise came true, but tragically, the young boy later died suddenly (2 Kings 4:20). Overwhelmed with grief, the Shunammite woman immediately set out on a desperate journey to find Elisha, believing he held the key to her son's restoration. She confronts him on Mount Carmel, where he often resided, in a state of profound distress.

Key Themes and Messages

• Desperate Supplication and Grief: The Shunammite woman's action of catching Elisha by the feet is a powerful gesture of profound sorrow, desperate plea, and deep respect. It signifies her utter reliance on the prophet and her refusal to be dismissed, highlighting the intensity of her grief and faith.
• Elisha's Compassion and Humility: Elisha immediately perceives the depth of her internal suffering, telling Gehazi to "Let her alone." His discernment goes beyond her outward actions to her inner turmoil. Crucially, he admits his own limitation: "the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me." This demonstrates that even a powerful prophet like Elisha was not omniscient; his knowledge was dependent on divine revelation.
• Divine Sovereignty in Revelation: This verse underscores that God reveals what He chooses, when He chooses, even to His most trusted servants. Elisha, despite his close walk with God and his prophetic office, was not privy to every event or sorrow unless God specifically disclosed it to him. This emphasizes God's ultimate control over knowledge and revelation.
• The Nature of Prophetic Ministry: Prophets are instruments of God, not deities. They operate under divine guidance and power, but they are still human and subject to God's will regarding what is revealed to them.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "her soul [is] vexed within her" conveys deep emotional turmoil. The Hebrew word translated "vexed" here (from the root `mara` or `marar`) literally means to be bitter, grieved, or distressed. It paints a vivid picture of extreme internal anguish and sorrow, far beyond simple annoyance, indicating a soul steeped in profound bitterness and pain.

Practical Application

This verse offers several timeless lessons:

• Bringing Our Deepest Sorrows to God: The Shunammite woman's bold approach teaches us to bring our most profound pain and desperate needs directly to God, or to His appointed servants, with unwavering hope. God understands our unexpressed grief and the silent battles of our souls.
• Compassion for the Distressed: Elisha's command to Gehazi reminds us to approach those in distress with empathy and understanding, rather than dismissal or judgment. Often, people's seemingly irrational actions are born out of deep inner turmoil.
• Trusting God's Plan Even Without Full Understanding: Elisha's admission that God had "hid it from me" can be comforting. It reminds us that even spiritual leaders and those with great faith don't have all the answers. There are times when God, for His own purposes, does not immediately reveal His plans or the reasons for our suffering. In such moments, our faith is called to trust in His goodness and sovereignty, knowing that He is ultimately in control (Isaiah 55:8-9).