Raising of the Shunammite Woman from the Dead
The raising of the Shunammite woman's son from the dead is a significant miracle recorded in 2 Kings 4:17-35, demonstrating the prophetic power of Elisha. This event is often cited in biblical tradition as a prime example of resurrection before the time of Jesus [3, 4].
The narrative begins with a wealthy Shunammite woman who shows great hospitality to Elisha, building him a small room for his stays in Shunem. In return for her kindness, Elisha promises her a son, despite her and her husband's advanced age, a promise that is fulfilled [2 Kings 4:8-17]. Some years later, the child is with his father in the field when he cries out, "My head, my head!" He is carried home and dies in his mother's lap [2 Kings 4:18-20].
Distraught, the Shunammite woman immediately seeks out Elisha, who is on Mount Carmel [1, 2]. She travels a considerable distance to reach him, and upon seeing her approaching, Elisha sends his servant Gehazi to inquire about her well-being and that of her family [1, 2]. The woman, however, insists on speaking directly with Elisha [2 Kings 4:26-30].
When she finally confronts Elisha, she reminds him of his promise and the tragedy that has befallen her son. Elisha then dispatches Gehazi with his staff, instructing him to lay it on the child's face [2 Kings 4:29]. This act, however, proves ineffective, as the child does not awaken [2 Kings 4:31]. The Babylonian Talmud notes that the staff was intended to be used in a manner similar to how the righteous will resurrect the dead in the future, as described in Zechariah 8:4 [6].
Elisha himself then goes to the woman's house. He enters the room where the dead child lies, shuts the door, and prays to the Lord. He then stretches himself upon the child, putting his mouth on the child's mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. As he does so, the child's body begins to warm. Elisha then walks around the room, returns, and stretches himself upon the child again. This time, the child sneezes seven times and opens his eyes [2 Kings 4:32-35]. Elisha then calls the Shunammite woman, who enters and finds her son alive. She falls at Elisha's feet in gratitude and takes up her son [2 Kings 4:36-37].
This miracle is referenced in the New Testament in Hebrews 11:35, which states, "Women received their dead raised to life again" [3, 4]. Commentators like John Gill specifically identify the Shunammite woman, along with the widow of Zarephath, as examples of those who received their sons back through the faith of the prophets Elijah and Elisha [4]. The raising of the Shunammite's son is seen as a genuine resurrection, not merely a revival from a coma [4].
Later in 2 Kings, the Shunammite woman's story continues. Elisha warns her of an impending seven-year famine and advises her to move away. After the famine, she returns to reclaim her house and land. Providentially, as Elisha's servant Gehazi is recounting to the king the story of how Elisha restored the dead son to life, the Shunammite woman appears before the king to make her petition. Gehazi identifies her and her son, corroborating his story, and the king orders the restoration of all her property [5, 6, 2 Kings 8:1-6]. This demonstrates divine providence in her life, as her previous act of hospitality and the miracle performed for her ultimately lead to the restoration of her possessions [5]. The famine itself is understood as a divine chastisement [7].
Sources
- II Kings “II Kings 4:25 (BSB) — So she set out and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, there is the Shunammite woman.”
- 2 Kings “So she went, and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her afar off, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Behold, there is the Shunammite. -- 2 Kings 4:25”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 11:35: Women received their dead raised--as the widow of Zarephath (Kg1 17:17-24). The Shunammite (2Ki. 4:17-35). The two oldest manuscripts read. "They received women of aliens by raising their dead." Kg1 17:24 shows that the raising of the widow's son by Elijah led her to the faith, so that he thus took her into fellowship, an alien though she was. Christ, in Luk 4:26, makes especial mention of the fact that Elijah was sent to an alien from Israel, a woman of Sarepta. Thus Paul may quote this as an instance of Elijah's faith, that at God's command he went”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 11:33: Women received their dead raised to life again,.... As the widow of Zarephath, and the Shunammite, Kg1 17:22. Their sons were really dead, and they received them alive gain, from the hands of the prophets, Elijah and Elisha, in the way of a resurrection, and by faith; by the faith of the prophets: and others were tortured; racked, or tympanized; referring to the sufferings of seven brethren, and their mother, in the times of Antiochus, recorded in 2 Maccabees 7 as appears from the kind of torment endured by them; from the offer of deliverance rejected by them; and”
- 2 Kings (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Kings 8:5: This is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life - This was a very providential occurrence in behalf of the Shunammite. The relation given by Gehazi was now corroborated by the woman herself; the king was duly affected, and gave immediate orders for the restoration of her land.”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Pesachim 68a.14: This idea is derived from a different source as well. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said that Rabbi Yonatan said: In the future the righteous will resurrect the dead, as it is stated: “Old men and old women shall yet again dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age” (Zechariah 8:4). And the staff will then be used as it was used by Gehazi when Elisha sent him to bring the son of the Shunamite woman back to life, as it is written: “And you shall lay my staff on the face of the child” (II Kings 4:29).”
- 2 Kings (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Kings 8 (introduction): THE SHUNAMMITE'S LAND RESTORED. (Kg2 8:1-6) Then spake Elisha unto the woman--rather "had spoken." The repetition of Elisha's direction to the Shunammite is merely given as an introduction to the following narrative; and it probably took place before the events recorded in chapters 5 and 6. the Lord hath called for a famine--All such calamities are chastisements inflicted by the hand of God; and this famine was to be of double duration to that one which happened in the time of Elijah (Jam 5:17) --a just increase of severity, since the I”