2Ki 4:8-37 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Kgs 4:8-37: 4:8-37 Elisha’s dealings with the woman from Shunem are presented in two parallel sections (4:8-20 , 21-37 ). Shunem was a border town in the tribal allotment to Issachar (Josh 19:18 ).

Summary for 2Kgs 4:8-37: 4:8-37 ^a Elisha’s dealings with the woman from Shunem are presented in two parallel sections (4:8-20 ^b, 21-37 ^c). Shunem was a border town in the tribal allotment to Issachar (Josh 19:18 ^d).
Summary for 2Kgs 4:9-10: 4:9-10 ^e Because the Shunemite woman recognized that Elisha was a true prophet—a holy man of God—she wished to provide hospitality for him during his frequent travels (see Isa 58:7 ^f; Heb 13:2 ^g; 3 Jn 1:5 ^h).

• A small room ... on the roof, reached by an outside stairway, assured privacy for both Elisha and his hosts.
Summary for 2Kgs 4:11-14: 4:11-14 ⁱ Elisha wanted to return some favor to his host.

• his servant Gehazi: Gehazi served as an apprentice, as Elisha had served with Elijah (1 Kgs 19:21 ^j). It would not be unusual for a prophet to consult with his attendant.
Summary for 2Kgs 4:15-16: 4:15-16 ^k Cp. similar promises and responses at Gen 18:9-15 ^l; Luke 1:6-20 ^m.
Summary for 2Kgs 4:18-20: 4:18-20 ⁿ “My head hurts!” The boy probably suffered a brain aneurysm. The woman’s faith and character were put to the test with the sudden death of her son on her lap.
4:21 ^o laid him on the bed of the man of God: The woman’s action kept her son’s death a secret from others and demonstrated her confidence in Elisha’s ability to do a miracle.
Summary for 2Kgs 4:24-26: 4:24-26 ^p Mount Carmel lay about twenty miles northwest of Shunem. The length of the trip and the woman’s obvious haste aroused Elisha’s suspicion that some tragedy concerning the child had occurred.

• “everything is fine”: The woman brushed off Gehazi’s inquiries; she was resolved to deal with no one but Elisha.
4:27 ^q caught hold of his feet: With this sign of deep respect and supplication, the woman poured out her heart to Elisha (see Matt 28:9 ^r; Luke 8:41 ^s, 47 ^t; 17:16 ^u; Rev 1:17 ^v).
4:28 ^w The loss of her son undid all the joy she felt at his promised birth and seemed to make that birth a cruel deception.
4:29 ^x Elisha instructed Gehazi not to talk to anyone along the way, indicating the seriousness and urgency of the mission. Jesus gave similar instructions when he sent out the seventy-two disciples (Luke 10:4 ^y).

• Laying Elisha’s staff on the child’s face signified the prophet’s intention to identify with the boy and claim God’s power.
4:31 ^z no sign of life: Elisha’s staff held no magical power; only God is the author of life (Acts 17:25-28 ^aa).
4:33 ^ab shut the door: Elisha followed the same procedure he had advised the widow to take earlier (4:4 ^ac). If God were to perform the miracle, it would not be for public display. Only the mother knew of the boy’s death and only she needed to know of Elisha’s efforts to petition God for the boy’s life.
Summary for 2Kgs 4:34-35: 4:34-35 ^ad lay down on the child’s body: Elisha’s actions and faith in the Lord were similar to Elijah’s (1 Kgs 17:17-24 ^ae).
Summary for 2Kgs 4:36-37: 4:36-37 ^af Again, Gehazi summoned the woman (4:12 ^ag, 15 ^ah), and again, she fell at Elisha’s feet (4:27 ^ai), this time overwhelmed with gratitude rather than anguish.