2 Kings 4:30

And the mother of the child said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

And the mother {H517} of the child {H5288} said {H559}, As the LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, and as thy soul {H5315} liveth {H2416}, I will not leave {H5800} thee. And he arose {H6965}, and followed {H3212}{H310} her.

The mother of the child said, "As ADONAI lives, and as you live, I will not leave you. He got up and followed her.

And the mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.

And the mother of the child said, As Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

Commentary

2 Kings 4:30 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Shunammite woman and the prophet Elisha, revealing her desperate yet unwavering faith.

Context

This verse follows the tragic death of the Shunammite woman's son, a child miraculously granted to her through Elisha's prophecy. Distraught, she immediately sought Elisha on Mount Carmel. Elisha had sent his servant Gehazi ahead with his staff, but this attempt to revive the child failed (2 Kings 4:31). In 2 Kings 4:30, the woman's words are a direct response to Elisha's initial reluctance or perhaps his instruction for Gehazi to go alone. Her profound grief and conviction that only Elisha himself could bring her son back to life are evident.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Faith and Persistence: The Shunammite woman's refusal to leave Elisha, even after Gehazi's mission, demonstrates an extraordinary depth of faith. She was convinced that God's power, channeled through Elisha, was her only hope for a miracle. Her declaration, "I will not leave thee," is a powerful testament to her resolve.
  • Divine Authority and Intervention: Her insistence highlights her belief in Elisha's unique connection to God's life-giving power. She understood that the prophet was God's chosen instrument for this desperate situation.
  • Desperation and Hope: Though facing immense sorrow over her son's death (2 Kings 4:20), her refusal to give up reveals a profound hope that a divine intervention was still possible.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase, "As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth," is a potent oath formula frequently found in the Old Testament. It signifies an extremely solemn and earnest declaration, invoking God's living presence and the life of the person addressed as a guarantee of truth and sincerity. It emphasizes the absolute certainty of the speaker's commitment and the gravity of their statement. Similar oaths can be seen in various biblical narratives, such as 1 Samuel 20:3.

Practical Application

The Shunammite woman's actions in 2 Kings 4:30 offer a timeless lesson in perseverance and faith. Her unwavering determination to seek God's intervention, even when initial efforts failed, encourages believers to:

  • Persist in Prayer: To continue seeking God's face and His help, even when answers seem delayed or impossible.
  • Hold onto Hope: To maintain hope in the face of tragedy and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, trusting in God's ultimate power and compassion.
  • Recognize God's Instruments: To understand that God often works through His chosen servants and means, and to seek Him where His presence is known to be active. This powerful display of faith ultimately led to the resurrection of her son.
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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

  • Ruth 1:16 (3 votes)

    And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, [or] to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people [shall be] my people, and thy God my God:

  • Ruth 1:18 (3 votes)

    When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

  • 2 Kings 2:2 (3 votes)

    And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said [unto him, As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.

  • 2 Kings 2:4 (2 votes)

    And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.

  • Exodus 33:12 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.

  • Exodus 33:16 (2 votes)

    For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? [is it] not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that [are] upon the face of the earth.