Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy's body became warm. Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boyThis action by Elisha is a direct response to the death of the Shunammite woman's son, whom God had previously given her as a miraculous gift through Elisha's prophecy. The act of lying on the boy is symbolic of Elisha's deep faith and reliance on God's power to bring life. It mirrors the actions of Elijah in 1 Kings 17:21, where Elijah also stretched himself over a dead child to bring him back to life. This demonstrates a continuity of prophetic ministry and the power of God working through His prophets. mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand
Elisha's actions here are intimate and personal, indicating a complete identification with the boy's condition. This physical contact can be seen as a type of Christ, who fully identified with humanity in His incarnation (Philippians 2:7-8). The specific mention of mouth, eyes, and hands suggests a totality of engagement, symbolizing the life-giving breath of God, the vision of divine purpose, and the work of God's hands. This act of laying on the boy is not a magical ritual but a demonstration of faith in God's power to restore life. As he stretched himself out over him
The stretching out of Elisha over the boy signifies an act of intercession and a physical representation of prayer. It is a vivid picture of the prophet's role as a mediator between God and man, similar to how Christ intercedes for believers (Hebrews 7:25). This act also reflects the persistence in prayer and faith, as Elisha does not simply pray from a distance but fully engages in the act of seeking God's intervention. the boy’s body became warm
The warming of the boy's body is the first sign of life returning, indicating that God is beginning to answer Elisha's prayer. This gradual process highlights the nature of divine miracles, which can sometimes unfold progressively rather than instantaneously. It also serves as a reminder of the power of God to bring life from death, a theme that runs throughout Scripture and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 11:25-26). The warming of the body is a precursor to the full restoration of life, symbolizing hope and the promise of God's faithfulness. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and being a powerful instrument of God's will. 2. The Shunammite WomanA hospitable and faithful woman who provided for Elisha and was blessed with a son through his prophecy. 3. The Shunammite's SonThe child miraculously given to the Shunammite woman, who later dies and is revived by Elisha. 4. ShunemThe town where the Shunammite woman lived, located in the territory of Issachar. 5. The Miracle of ResurrectionThe event where Elisha, through God's power, raises the Shunammite woman's son from the dead. Teaching Points Faith in ActionElisha's actions demonstrate a profound faith in God's power to bring life. We are called to act in faith, trusting in God's ability to work through us. God's CompassionThe miracle reflects God's compassion and care for individuals, reminding us that God is attentive to our personal struggles and needs. The Power of PrayerElisha's methodical approach can be seen as a form of prayerful intercession, encouraging us to be persistent and intentional in our prayers. Continuity of God's WorkThe miracle connects the work of God through different eras, showing that His power and purpose remain constant. Hope in ResurrectionThis event foreshadows the resurrection hope found in Christ, encouraging believers to trust in the promise of eternal life. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elisha's method of reviving the boy reflect his faith and reliance on God's power? 2. In what ways does the account of the Shunammite woman and her son encourage us to trust in God's promises? 3. How can we apply the principle of persistent prayer in our own lives, as seen in Elisha's actions? 4. What similarities and differences can you identify between Elisha's miracle and the resurrection miracles in the New Testament? 5. How does this passage deepen our understanding of God's compassion and care for individuals in their time of need? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 17:21-22Elijah, Elisha's mentor, also performed a similar miracle by reviving a widow's son, showing a continuity of God's power through His prophets. Acts 20:9-12The Apostle Paul raises Eutychus from the dead, demonstrating the ongoing power of God to bring life through His servants. John 11:43-44Jesus raises Lazarus, highlighting the ultimate power of God over life and death, fulfilled in Christ. People Elisha, GehaziPlaces Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, ShunemTopics Becometh, Bed, Bent, Body, Boy, Boy's, Child, Child's, Flesh, Got, Grew, Hands, Lad, Lay, Lieth, Mouth, Putteth, Putting, Stretched, Stretcheth, Stretching, Warm, WaxedDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 4:29-37 5333 healing 2 Kings 4:32-35 7773 prophets, role 2 Kings 4:32-36 5136 body 2 Kings 4:32-37 1416 miracles, nature of
5658 boys Library When the Oil Flows
'And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.'--2 KINGS iv. 6. The series of miracles ascribed to Elisha are very unlike most of the wonderful works of even the Old Testament, and still more unlike those of the New. For about a great many of them there seems to have been no special purpose, either doctrinal or otherwise, but simply the relief of trivial and transient distresses. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureA Miracle Needing Effort
'So she went, and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: 26. Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband! is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. 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, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Infant Salvation
Now, let every mother and father here present know assuredly that it is well with the child, if God hath taken it away from you in its infant days. You never heard its declaration of faith--it was not capable of such a thing--it was not baptized into the Lord Jesus Christ, not buried with him in baptism; it was not capable of giving that "answer of a good conscience towards God;" nevertheless, you may rest assured that it is well with the child, well in a higher and a better sense than it is well …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861 That the Grace of Devotion is Acquired by Humility and Self-Denial
The Voice of the Beloved Thou oughtest to seek earnestly the grace of devotion, to ask it fervently, to wait for it patiently and faithfully, to receive it gratefully, to preserve it humbly, to work with it diligently, and to leave to God the time and manner of heavenly visitation until it come. Chiefly oughtest thou to humble thyself when thou feelest inwardly little or no devotion, yet not to be too much cast down, nor to grieve out of measure. God ofttimes giveth in one short moment what He …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Extracts No. Ix.
[As the objector here begins to give up his ground, his letters from this place will be given nearly entire. He commences this number as follows, viz.] "Dear sir and brother--Your reply to my seventh number has been received, and hereby duly acknowledged. I have just given it a second reading, with peculiar care and attention; and I must add, generally speaking, with peculiar satisfaction too; for as it has tended in some degree to revive my almost extinguished faith in divine revelation, so it …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him." If we consider the sketch, given us in scripture, of the life of this patriarch, we shall find that few have had equal manifestations of the divine favor. But the light did not at all times shine on him. He had his dark hours while dwelling in this strange land. Here we find an horror of great darkness to have fallen upon him. The language used to describe his state, on this occasion, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Soul.
Man as we behold him is not all there is of man. He is a wonderful being. He stands in the highest order of God's creation. He Is A Compound. Man was created a physical and spiritual organism. He possesses an animal and a spiritual life. Thus he is connected with two worlds. The physical creation is termed the "outward man," and the spiritual, the "inward man." "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." 2 Cor. 4:16. "For we know …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
WE Are now come to the letter of Mr. W's Jewish Rabby, whom Mr. W. calls his friend, and says his letter consists of calm and sedate reasoning, p. 55. I on the other hand can see no reason in it. But the reader than not need to rely upon my judgment. Therefore I will transcribe some parts of it, and then make some remarks. The argument of the letter is, that the story of Lazarus's being raised is an imposture; or else the Jews could not have been so wicked, as to be on that account provoked against …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles Supplementary Note to Chapter ii. The Year of Christ's Birth.
The Christian era commences on the 1st of January of the year 754 of the city of Rome. That our Lord was born about the time stated in the text may appear from the following considerations-- The visit of the wise men to Bethlehem must have taken place a very few days after the birth of Jesus, and before His presentation in the temple. Bethlehem was not the stated residence of Joseph and Mary, either before or after the birth of the child (Luke i. 26, ii. 4, 39; Matt. ii. 2). They were obliged to …
William Dool Killen—The Ancient Church Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 4:34 NIV2 Kings 4:34 NLT2 Kings 4:34 ESV2 Kings 4:34 NASB2 Kings 4:34 KJV
2 Kings 4:34 Commentaries
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