Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 4
As Elisha went back to Shunem with the woman, they met Gehazi, Elisha’s servant. Gehazi had bad news.
Gehazi had been, as Elisha directed him, to the woman’s house in Shunem. He had entered the room where her son’s body lay, dead. He had obeyed all of Elisha’s instructions carefully. He placed Elisha’s staff (stick) on the face of the dead child. Then, he examined the child carefully. The boy had not moved and he had made no sound. It was very clear to Gehazi that the boy was still dead. So, Gehazi had gone back to report the situation to Elisha.
The Bible does not record what Elisha replied. Possibly, Elisha said nothing whatever. He simply continued to go towards Shunem. It was very clear that Elisha’s instructions had failed to give life to the dead boy. However, that did not mean that God would not act to give life to the boy. Elisha knew that God had promised a son to the woman (4:16). Like Abraham (Genesis 22:1-18), Elisha believed that God could give life even to a dead person (Hebrews 11:19). The woman believed that too (Hebrews 11:35). That kind of belief and trust in God is faith (Hebrews 11:1).
Gehazi’s bad report did not destroy either Elisha’s faith or the woman’s faith. Rather, they saw that now they must depend completely on God. In that way, their faith became stronger.
Next part: Elisha's desperate prayers (2 Kings 4:32-34)
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