2 Kings 4:36

And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(36) Take up thy son.—So our Lord “delivered to his mother” the young man whom He raised from death by His word (Luke 7:15).

Benson Commentary

2 Kings 4:36-37. When she was come in unto him — Hebrew, come to him, namely, to the door of his chamber, where probably he met her with the joyful message. Then she went in — Into his chamber: and after she had thrown herself at his feet, full of humility and gratitude, and reverencing him as an angel of God, she went to the bed, took up her son, and went out — Publishing, no doubt, this wonderful work of God to all her family; who made it known abroad.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:18-37 Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her. Such confidence had she of God's goodness, that she was ready to believe that he would restore what he had now taken away. O woman, great is thy faith! He that wrought it, would not disappoint it. The sorrowful mother begged leave of her husband to go to the prophet at once. She had not thought it enough to have Elisha's help sometimes in her own family, but, though a woman of rank, attended on public worship. It well becomes the men of God, to inquire about the welfare of their friends and their families. The answer was, It is well. All well, and yet the child dead in the house! Yes! All is well that God does; all is well with them that are gone, if they are gone to heaven; and all well with us that stay behind, if, by the affliction, we are furthered in our way thither. When any creature-comfort is taken from us, it is well if we can say, through grace, that we did not set our hearts too much upon it; for if we did, we have reason to fear it was given in anger, and taken away in wrath. Elisha cried unto God in faith; and the beloved son was restored alive to his mother. Those who would convey spiritual life to dead souls, must feel deeply for their case, and labour fervently in prayer for them. Though the minister cannot give Divine life to his fellow-sinners, he must use every means, with as much earnestness as if he could do so.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Take up thy son - Compare Elijah's action (marginal reference "t") and our Blessed Lord's Luke 7:15.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

35. the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes—These were the first acts of restored respiration, and they are described as successive steps. Miracles were for the most part performed instantaneously; but sometimes, also, they were advanced progressively towards completion (1Ki 18:44, 45; Mr 8:24, 25).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Come in unto him, Heb. come to him, to wit, to the door of his chamber; where probably he met her with this joyful message.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he called Gehazi, and said, call this Shunammite,.... To come up to the chamber to him:

so he called her: and when she was come in unto him, he said, take up thy son; from off the bed, alive, safe, and sound.

Geneva Study Bible

And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

36. Take up thy son] Cf. Christ’s words, Luke 7:15.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 36. - And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite; i.e. tell her to come here. No time was to be lost in restoring the child to his mother, now that he was alive again. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son; i.e. lift him up, take him in thine arms, feel him to be all thine own once more. 2 Kings 4:36

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

After the restoration of the boy to life, Elisha had his mother called and gave her back her son, for which she fell at his feet with thanksgiving.