II Kings 4:11-17 · Bible study
2 Kings 4:11-17 Commentary: Elisha's Promise to the Shunammite
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Elisha's routine stay with a Shunammite family leads to a miracle birth, echoing the Abrahamic promise. Commentary, historical context, and discussion guide.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God rewards the Shunammite's hospitality to His prophet by giving her a son, fulfilling a promise patterned on the Isaac birth.
- Key words: ka'et chaiyah (time of life), the same phrase used in Genesis 18:10,14; choveket (embrace), verb used only here and in one other place; al-tekazzev (do not lie), a plea not to be deceived.
- Main debate: Whether the woman's “do not lie” expresses disbelief, disappointment, or protective fear after long barrenness; commentators split between outright doubt (Barnes) and a desperate hope too fragile to voice (Clarke with the rabbins).
- Theological theme: God's sovereign power to reverse barrenness and bring life where human possibility has ended, demonstrated through His prophet as a sign of covenant faithfulness.
- Best use: OT narrative for preaching on hospitality, contentment, God's timing, and the way He often gives what we were afraid to ask.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
11One day Elisha came to visit and went to his upper room to lie down.
12And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call the Shunammite woman.” And when he had called her, she stood before him,
13and Elisha said to Gehazi, “Now tell her, ‘Look, you have gone to all this trouble for us. What can we do for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’” “I have a home among my own people,” she replied.
14So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?” “Well, she has no son,” Gehazi replied, “and her husband is old.”
15“Call her,” said Elisha. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway.
16And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.”
17But the woman did conceive, and at that time the next year she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.
WEB World English Bible 2000
11One day he came there, and he went to the room and lay there.
12He said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him.
13He said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Behold, you have cared for us with all this care. What is to be done for you? Would you like to be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.”
14He said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Most certainly she has no son, and her husband is old.”
15He said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the door.
16He said, “At this season next year, you will embrace a son.” She said, “No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your servant.”
17The woman conceived, and bore a son at that season when the time came around, as Elisha had said to her.
KJV King James Version 1769
11And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
13And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
14And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
15And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
16And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
17And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
11And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber and lay there.
12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
13And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
14And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no son, and her husband is old.
15And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
16And he said, At this season, when the time cometh round, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thy handmaid.
17And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season, when the time came round, as Elisha had said unto her.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
11And the day cometh, that he cometh in thither, and turneth aside unto the upper chamber, and lieth there,
12and he saith unto Gehazi his young man, `Call for this Shunammite;' and he calleth for her, and she standeth before him.
13And he saith to him, `Say, I pray thee, unto her, Lo, thou hast troubled thyself concerning us with all this trouble; what--to do for thee? is it to speak for thee unto the king, or unto the head of the host?' and she saith, `In the midst of my people I am dwelling.'
14And he saith, `And what--to do for her?' and Gehazi saith, `Verily she hath no son, and her husband is aged.'
15And he saith, `Call for her;' and he calleth for her, and she standeth at the opening,
16and he saith, `At this season, according to the time of life, thou art embracing a son;' and she saith, `Nay, my lord, O man of God, do not lie unto thy maid-servant.'
17And the woman conceiveth and beareth a son, at this season, according to the time of life, that Elisha spake of unto her.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
11And it came to pass on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the upper chamber, and lay there.
12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And he called her, and she stood before him.
13And he said to him, Say now to her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she said, I dwell among mine own people.
14And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi said, Verily, she has no son, and her husband is old.
15And he said, Call her; and he called her; and she stood in the doorway.
16And he said, At this appointed time, when thy term is come, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, No, my lord, man of God, do not lie to thy handmaid.
17And the woman conceived, and bore a son at that appointed time in the next year as Elisha had said to her.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
11Now, there was a certain day, when he came, and turned into the chamber, and rested there.
12And he said to Giezi, his servant: Call this Sunamitess. And when he had called her, and she stood before him,
13He said to his servant: Say to her: Behold, thou hast diligently served us in all things; what wilt thou have me to do for thee? Hast thou any business, and wilt thou, that I speak to the king, or to the general of the army? And she answered: I dwell in the midst of my own people.
14And he said: What will she then that I do for her? And Giezi said: Do not ask, for she hath no son, and her husband is old.
15Then he bid him call her. And when she was called, and stood before the door,
16He said to her: At this time, and this same hour, if life be in company, thou shalt have a son in thy womb. But she answered: Do not, I beseech thee, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie to thy handmaid.
17And the woman conceived, and brought forth a son in the time, and at the same hour that Eliseus had said.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Kings 4:11
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Across commentaries, the narrative is read as a demonstration of God's power through Elisha to reward radical hospitality. Matthew Henry and the Cambridge Bible note that the woman's room and her ongoing care were acts of reverence for a “holy man of God,” not a bid for favors. When Elisha offers to speak to the king or army captain, she declines with “I dwell among my own people”, a statement all major commentators agree signals contentment, not complaint. Barnes and Clarke point to the parallel with barren Sarah (Genesis 18); the Hebrew phrase ka'et chaiyah (“according to the time of life”) is the same wording used in the annunciation to Abraham. Gehazi's role, first appearing here, is seen by Cambridge and Gill as a perceptive servant who notes the woman's childlessness. Her response, “No, my lord, do not lie to your servant”, is read by Clarke and Gill as either disbelief or the fear of a hope that might be dashed, especially given that her husband is old. The fulfillment in verse 17, using the same key phrase, confirms that Elisha spoke as God's instrument, and the birth echoes the pattern of Isaac: a gift that only God could give.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The narrative teaches that God, through the prophet Elisha, rewards the Shunammite's hospitality with the gift of a son, fulfilling His promise miraculously and underscoring His power over barrenness.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The woman's reason for not asking for a son | All commentators agree that her answer 'I dwell among my own people' expresses contentment; she was not complaining or seeking advancement. | Clarke and Barnes suggest she may have inwardly desired a son but either accepted her state or was too humble to ask; Cambridge sees her as truly satisfied, with no hidden longing evidenced by the text itself. |
| Meaning of 'do not lie' (v.16) | The phrase is understood as a strong expression of either disbelief or protective fear, spoken out of a context of long barrenness (cf. Sarah's laughter). | Barnes and Gill interpret it as disbelief akin to Abraham and Sarah (Gen 17:17, 18:12). Clarke mentions rabbinical reading that she feared a son who would die young; the rabbins saw it as a plea for a child that would survive her. |
| Gehazi's character and role in this narrative | Gehazi here serves as a perceptive servant who notices the woman's childlessness; his first appearance is neutral. | Some see his observation as innocent and practical (Cambridge, Gill). Others (Clarke) note that his later greed in 2 Kings 5 retroactively colors this scene, though no moral judgment is made here. |
| Parallel to the promise to Abraham and Sarah | The phrase 'at this season, according to the time of life' (ka'et chaiyah) directly echoes Genesis 18:10,14; the miracle of a son to an old couple is deliberately patterned on Isaac's birth. | All sources agree on the verbal parallel. No substantive debate; the connection is accepted by all. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Shunem, located in the tribal territory of Issachar (Joshua 19:18), was a village in the fertile Jezreel Valley. The woman is described as “prominent” (v.8), suggesting wealth and social standing. In ancient Israel, building a roof chamber with a bed, table, stool, and lampstand was an extraordinary act of hospitality, these were the basic furnishings for a permanent guest room. Prophets often relied on such support, as Elijah had done at Zarephath (1 Kings 17). Elisha's position as a prophet had given him political influence; the offer to “speak to the king or the captain of the army” was real, as evidenced by Jehoshaphat's earlier inquiry of Elisha (2 Kings 3:11-12). Edersheim observes that the mention of the “captain of the host” suggests a somewhat despotic state, where military commanders stood close to the throne. Barrenness was a heavy social burden for ancient women, as seen in Hannah's distress (1 Samuel 1). The promise “at this season next year” echoes the language of the Isaac promise (Genesis 18:10, 14), deliberately tying this miracle to the patriarchal narratives. The woman's posture, “standing before him” and later at the door, reflects the formal respect due a prophet. Gehazi, here simply a servant, later becomes a darker figure (2 Kings 5), but in this story his observation is neutral and practical.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for 2 Kings 4:11-17. The Hebrew text is consistent across manuscripts. The main versions (Greek Septuagint, Latin Vulgate, Syriac Peshitta) all reflect the same wording, with only minor differences in prepositions or verbal forms that do not affect meaning. The phrase ka'et chaiyah is preserved identically in verses 16 and 17, tying the promise and its fulfillment together.
Reception History
This passage has been treasured across Christian traditions as an example of hospitality rewarded and God's power over barrenness. Early church writers like Cyril of Jerusalem referenced Elisha's miracles as signs of divine life-giving power. Medieval commentators often read the roof chamber as a figure of the soul's preparation to receive the word of God. In the Reformation, Matthew Henry preached on the passage as a lesson in contentment and the unexpected shape of God's gifts. The story also appears in the liturgical readings of many churches, especially when paired with annunciation narratives. It continues to be used in sermons on God's faithfulness to those who serve His servants quietly.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Hospitality that expects nothing back. The Shunammite woman built a permanent guest room for Elisha without asking for anything. True hospitality serves, not bargains.
- Contentment that resists ambition. When Elisha offers a king's favor or military influence, she says, “I dwell among my own people.” She was satisfied with her life and community.
- God's gift that overcomes impossibility. The thing she never dared to ask, a son, was the very thing God gave. Her “do not lie to your servant” reveals the ache of long disappointment met by unexpected grace.
Five-point outline
- A routine visit becomes holy ground: Elisha's regular pattern of stopping at Shunem (v.11)
- A question that opens the door to blessing: “What can we do for you?” (vv.12-13)
- A servant who sees a hidden need: Gehazi names the ache: “She has no son and her husband is old” (v.14)
- A promise that sounds too good to be true: “At this time next year, you will embrace a son” (vv.15-16)
- A fulfillment that reveals God’s faithful timing: “The woman conceived and bore a son… as Elisha had said” (v.17)
Illustration hooks
- A friend who prepares a guest room for a traveling pastor, not for praise but simply because they believe God wants a place to rest. The reward comes years later, in a form they never expected.
- The quiet discipline of being content with your current season, like a family that turns down a promotion because it would pull them from a community they love. Contentment can be its own blessing.
- The person who has stopped hoping for a longed-for child, job, or reconciliation, and then finds that God arrives in the very place they had given up, through a simple conversation or a stranger's word.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did the woman respond with “do not lie”? Was she angry, or was she protecting herself from further disappointment?
- Why did Elisha ask if she wanted to speak to the king or captain, when he already had the power to promise a son? What does that tell us about how God works through His prophets?
- This story repeats the pattern of Isaac's birth. Is there a message about God continuing His covenant work even in the divided kingdom of Israel?
Leading a Discussion
This short narrative moves from a prophet's ordinary routine to a miraculous birth. It invites us to consider how hospitality, contentment, and unseen longing meet God's surprising provision. As small groups read these verses, watch for the small details: the room, the offer, the servant's observation, the woman's fragile hope.
Discussion questions
- What does the woman's decision to build and furnish a guest room for Elisha reveal about her understanding of who he was? (See vv.8-10 for context.)
- Elisha's offer to “speak for her to the king or captain of the army” shows he had political influence. Why does she decline without even a pause? What does her answer “I dwell among my own people” tell us about her values?
- Gehazi observes that she has no son and her husband is old. Was Elisha unaware of this need, or was he waiting for the right moment? What does Gehazi's role suggest about how God uses even quiet servants to reveal needs?
- The promise to “embrace a son” echoes Genesis 18 (Sarah and Abraham). Why do you think the author deliberately connects this story to that one? What does it say about God's character?
- The woman says, “No, my lord, do not lie to your servant.” How are we to understand this reaction? Is it disbelief, shame about her age, or the fear of a hope too great to trust? Read the parallel in Luke 1:18-20.
- Verse 17 states the fulfillment matter-of-factly: conceived, bore, at the season as Elisha said. What does this simple report tell us about how God works when He keeps His promises?
- Have you ever received a gift you were afraid to even ask for? How does this woman's story encourage honesty about our longings before God?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Kings 18:43 | He said to his servant, “Go up now and look toward the sea.” He went up and looked, then said, “There is nothing.” He said, “Go again” seven times. |
| I Kings 19:3 | When he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. |
| II Kings 3:11 | But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of Yahweh here, that we may inquire of Yahweh by him?” One of the king of Israel’s servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah, is here.” |
| II Kings 4:29 | Then he said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand, and go your way. If you meet any man, don’t greet him; and if anyone greets you, don’t answer him again. Then lay my staff on the child’s face.” |
| II Kings 4:31 | Gehazi went ahead of them, and laid the staff on the child’s face; but there was no voice and no hearing. Therefore he returned to meet him, and told him, “The child has not awakened.” |
| II Kings 5:20 | But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.” |
| II Kings 5:27 | Therefore the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and to your offspring forever.” He went out from his presence a leper, as white as snow. |
| II Kings 8:4 | Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, “Please tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke marvels at the Shunammite woman's rare contentment when Elisha offers her royal favors. Unlike most people, she wants no promotion, court connections, or army posts for her relatives. She is perfectly satisfied living among her own people, a contrast Clarke finds astonishingly rare.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes observes that the Shunammite woman declines Elisha's offer because she lives peaceably among her own people with no need for a powerful friend. He also explains that her request “do not lie” sounds harsh to modern readers but reflects ancient plain speech, simply meaning “do not deceive.”
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator focuses on the reverential distance between the Shunammite woman and Elisha. The Hebrew words for her care actually mean fear and trembling, showing she approached him with awe, not familiarity. Gehazi served as the necessary intermediary, reflecting the respectful formality of their relationship.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes the Shunammite woman's quiet contentment: when Elisha offers to use his influence with the king or army for her, she declines, saying she dwells happily among her own people. Though she asks nothing, Gehazi observes she has no child and her husband is old,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights the cultural weight behind this promise of a son. In the ancient East, barrenness carried deep disgrace, so the announcement answered the woman's greatest longing and made the host's gratitude for her hospitality intensely personal.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues the Shunammite story is not about the resuscitation itself but about God's pattern of leading His faithful through promise, trial, and restoration. He insists the miraculous act serves only as the climax of a narrative that displays how God crowns those who hold fast to His word with grace and compassion.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry sees this miracle as part of a long biblical pattern. Giving a son to an old, childless couple was a familiar display of divine power seen with Abraham, Isaac, Manoah, and Elkanah. Here, it comes as a direct reward for the woman's generous hospitality to Elisha, just as a son was promised to Abraham after he entertained angels.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley clarifies the narrative sequence in the story, noting that the woman's stunned reply "Do not lie" reflects her inability to believe the promise for sheer joy. He also explains that her statement "I dwell among my own people" means she lives contentedly among her relatives and has no need to seek help from authorities.