◄ 2 Kings 4:37 ►
She came in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.
Study Bible
She came in
This phrase indicates the Shunammite woman's entrance into the room where Elisha and her son were. The Hebrew root for "came in" is "בּוֹא" (bo), which often signifies entering with purpose or intent. Her entrance is not just physical but also symbolic of her faith and hope being fulfilled. Historically, this reflects the cultural practice of seeking the presence of a prophet for divine intervention, emphasizing her trust in God's power through Elisha.

fell at his feet
The act of falling at someone's feet is a gesture of deep respect and gratitude. In Hebrew culture, this was a common way to show reverence, especially towards a prophet or a man of God. The Hebrew word "נָפַל" (naphal) means to fall or prostrate oneself, indicating her acknowledgment of Elisha's role as God's instrument in restoring her son to life. This act also reflects her humility and recognition of divine authority.

and bowed to the ground
Bowing to the ground further emphasizes her reverence and thankfulness. The Hebrew word "שָׁחָה" (shachah) means to bow down or worship, often used in the context of worshiping God. This gesture signifies her worshipful gratitude not only to Elisha but ultimately to God, who performed the miracle. It highlights the cultural and religious practice of expressing profound respect and submission.

Then she picked up her son
This phrase marks the culmination of the miracle. The Hebrew word "נָשָׂא" (nasa) means to lift or carry, indicating her action of taking her son into her arms. This moment is filled with emotional and spiritual significance, as it represents the fulfillment of God's promise and the restoration of life. It underscores the theme of resurrection and divine intervention in the narrative.

and went out
The phrase "went out" signifies the conclusion of this miraculous event. The Hebrew root "יָצָא" (yatsa) means to go out or depart, indicating her return to normal life with her son. This action symbolizes the transition from despair to joy, from death to life, and from mourning to celebration. It reflects the transformative power of faith and God's ability to restore and renew.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Shunammite Woman
A notable woman from Shunem who showed great hospitality to the prophet Elisha. Her faith and perseverance are central to this account.

2. Elisha
A prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. He performed many miracles, including the resurrection of the Shunammite woman's son.

3. The Shunammite's Son
The child given to the Shunammite woman as a promise from God through Elisha. His death and subsequent resurrection are pivotal events in this chapter.

4. Shunem
A town in the territory of Issachar, where the Shunammite woman lived. It serves as the setting for this miraculous event.

5. The Miracle of Resurrection
The event where Elisha, through God's power, raises the Shunammite woman's son from the dead, demonstrating God's power over life and death.
Teaching Points
Faith in God's Promises
The Shunammite woman's account teaches us to hold steadfastly to God's promises, even when circumstances seem dire.

The Power of Prayer and Persistence
Her actions demonstrate the importance of persistent prayer and seeking God's intervention in times of crisis.

God's Compassion and Power
This account illustrates God's compassion and His sovereign power over life and death, encouraging believers to trust in His ultimate authority.

The Role of Gratitude and Worship
The Shunammite woman's response of bowing to the ground signifies gratitude and worship, reminding us to honor God in all circumstances.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the Shunammite woman's faith and actions challenge or inspire your own faith journey?

2. In what ways can you relate the account of the Shunammite woman to the New Testament accounts of resurrection, such as Lazarus or Jesus Himself?

3. What does this passage teach us about the nature of God's promises and their fulfillment in our lives?

4. How can we apply the Shunammite woman's example of gratitude and worship in our daily walk with God?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's power in a seemingly hopeless situation. How did it impact your faith and understanding of His sovereignty?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 17:17-24
The account of Elijah raising the widow's son parallels Elisha's miracle, showing a continuity of God's power through His prophets.

John 11:1-44
The resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus echoes the theme of God's authority over death and His compassion for those who mourn.

Hebrews 11:35
This verse references women receiving their dead back to life, highlighting the faith of women like the Shunammite.
Sermons
A Day in a Mother's LifeWilliam Forsyth, A. M.2 Kings 4:18-37
Concerning Accidents2 Kings 4:18-37
Death and RestorationC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 4:18-37
The Empty HomeF. S. Webster, M. A.2 Kings 4:18-37
The Lady of Shunem: 2. the Son Taken and RestoredJ. Orr 2 Kings 4:18-37
The Relation of Prayer to Secondary CausesD. Thomas 2 Kings 4:32-37
People
Elisha, Gehazi
Places
Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, Shunem
Topics
Arms, Bowed, Boweth, Bowing, Face, Falleth, Fell, Ground, Herself, Lifteth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 4:29-37

     5333   healing

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 Scripture

A 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

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