2 Kings 4:8-37 ▼

8 And one day it came to pass that Elisha went to Shunem, and there was a great woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. And it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn aside there to eat some food.

9 And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that he is a holy man of God who passes by us continually.

10 Let us make, please, a small upper room on the wall, and let us put for him there a bed, and a table, and a chair, and a lampstand. And it will be, in his coming to us, he can turn aside there.”

11 And the day came to pass that he came there, and he turned aside to the upper room and lay down there.

12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammitess.” And he called her, and she stood before his face.

13 And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Behold, you have trembled concerning us with all this trouble. What am I to do for you? Am I indeed to speak for you to the king or to the commander of the army?’” And she answered, “In the midst of my people I am dwelling.”

14 And he said, “And what is to be done for her?” And Gehazi answered, “Truly there is not unto her a son, and her husband is old.”

15 And he said, “Call to her.” And he called to her, and she stood in the doorway.

16 And he said, “This time next year of life, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God, do not lie to your maidservant.”

17 And the woman conceived and bore a son at this appointed time of life that Elisha had spoken to her.

18 And the child grew, and the day came to pass that he went out to his father to the harvesters.

19 And he said to his father, “My head! My head!” And he said to a servant, “Carry him to his mother.”

20 And he lifted him and brought him to his mother, and he sat on her knees until the noon, and he died.

21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and she shut the door behind him and went out.

22 And she called to her husband and said, “Please send me one of the young men, and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and return.”

23 And he said, “Why are you going to him today? It is not the New Moon nor the Sabbath.” And she said, “Peace.”

24 And she saddled a donkey and said to her servant, “Drive and go forward. Do not slacken for me the pace, for unless I speak to you.”

25 And she departed and went in to the man of God at Mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, “Behold, this Shunammitess.

26 Now run, please, to meet her, and say to her, ‘Is it all well for you? Is it well for your husband? Is it well for the child?’” And she answered, “It is well.”

27 And she came to the man of God at the hill, and she caught him by the feet. And Gehazi came near to push her away. And the man of God said, “Let her alone, for her soul is bitter to her, and YHWH has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

28 And she said, “Did I ask a son from my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”

29 And he said to Gehazi, “Gird up your loins, and take my staff in your hand, and be on your way. If you meet anyone, do not greet him. And if anyone greets you, do not answer him. And lay my staff on the face of the boy.”

30 And the mother of the child said, “As YHWH lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” And he arose and followed her.

31 And Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the face of the boy. And there was no voice and no hearing. And he turned back to meet him and declared to him, saying, “The child has not awakened.”

32 And Elisha came into the house, and behold, the boy was dead, lying on his bed.

33 And he went in and shut the door behind the two of them, and he prayed to YHWH.

34 And he went up and lay on the child, and he put his mouth on his mouth, and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And he stretched out himself on him, and the flesh of the child became warm.

35 And he returned and walked in the house once here and once here. And again he went up and stretched out himself on him. And the boy sneezed up to seven times, and the boy opened his eyes.

36 And he called to Gehazi and said, “Call to this Shunammitess.” And he called her, and she came in to him. And he said, “Lift up your son.”

37 And she went in and fell at his feet, and she bowed herself to the earth. And she lifted her son and went out.