Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son.2 Kings 4:18-37
The Decline and Fall of Israel and Judah
INTRODUCTION
The Second Book of Kings is a continuation of the First. It records the reigns of fifteen kings in Judah and of eleven kings in Israel. In Judah the dynasty of David continued to the end, while in Israel there were nine changes of dynasty.
The northern kingdom maintained an unbroken course of idolatry, until the nation was ripe for destruction. The end came in 722 B.C., when Samaria was taken by the Assyrians. Judah continued her course for nearly 150 years longer. But in spite of the efforts of prophets and good kings, the tide of idolatry could not be stayed, and Jerusalem fell before the Babylonians, 586 B.C. Nothing but the Exile could avail to purify the nation and restore the spirit of true worship.
I. FROM THE REIGN OF AHAZIAH TO THE FALL OF SAMARIA, 1Ki_22:51 – 2Ki_17:1-41; 2Ki_18:9-12
3. The Work of Elisha, II Kings 3:1-9:11
(3) The Son of the Shunammite Restored to Life, 2Ki_4:8-37
9. How did Elisha win their lasting gratitude?
ELISHA RAISES THE SHUNAMMITE’S SON
When the child was grown, the day came that he went out to his father, to the reapers.
But he said to his father, “My head, my head.” The man said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.”
When he had carried and brought him to his mother, he sat on her lap until noon, and then he died.
She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door [of the small upper room] behind him and left.
Then she called to her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, so that I may run to the man of God and return.”
He said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath.” And she said, “It will be all right.”
Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Drive [the animal] fast; do not slow down the pace for me unless I tell you.”
So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite woman.
Please run now to meet her and ask her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?'” And she answered, “It is well.”
When she came to the mountain to the man of God, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi approached to push her away; but the man of God said, “Let her alone, for her soul is desperate and troubled within her; and the LORD has hidden the reason from me and has not told me.”
Then she said, “Did I ask for a son from my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not give me false hope’?”
Then he said to Gehazi, “Gird up your loins (prepare now!) and take my staff in your hand, and go [to the woman’s house]; if you meet any man [along the way], do not greet him and if a man greets you, do not [stop to] answer him; and lay my staff on the face of the boy [as soon as you reach the house].”
The mother of the child said, “As the LORD lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So Elisha arose and followed her.
Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response [from the boy]. So he turned back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened (revived).”
When Elisha came into the house, the child was dead and lying on his bed.
o he went in, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD.
Then he went up and lay on the child and put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself out on him and held him, the boy’s skin became warm. [1Ki_17:21]
Then he returned and walked in the house once back and forth, and went up [again] and stretched himself out on him; and the boy sneezed seven times and he opened his eyes.
Then Elisha called Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.”
She came and fell at his feet, bowing herself to the ground [in respect and gratitude]. Then she picked up her son and left.
ELISHA RAISES THE SHUNAMMITE’S SON
THE DEAD BOY RESTORED TO LIFE
There is fine illustration in this chapter of a noble reverence for goodness, of a good man’s gratitude, and of the large reward that never fails those who deal kindly with God’s children.
It is not enough to put the staff, even though it be the prophet’s, on the cold, sweet face of a child. Our doctrine and precept may be quite good and straight, but something more is needed. There must be not a staff, not a servant, not an intermediary, but ourselves, our heart against the heart that is still, our lips against the dear, cold lips. It is as we give ourselves to the children, imparting our tenderest, strongest sympathy, that new life will come to them.
Walk to and fro in your house! Shut the door on yourself and the child! Pray to the Lord! Give yourself to the great work of saving the soul from death! Let the mother be praying in the room downstairs! Call to the little soul to awake and live. Your faith and prayer cannot fail of an answer.
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