2 Kings 4:14

Translations

Modern

So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?” “Well, she has no son,” Gehazi replied, “and her husband is old.”

Traditional

And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.

Literal

And he said, “And what is to be done for her?” And Gehazi answered, “Truly there is not unto her a son, and her husband is old.”

Latin

Et ait: Quid ergo vult ut faciam ei? Dixitque Giezi: Ne quæras: filium enim non habet, et vir ejus senex est.

Original

Hebrew

English

So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?” “Well, she has no son,” Gehazi replied, “and her husband is old.”

Notes

2 Kings 4:11–14

Elisha wanted to repay his host's kindness.
Gehazi his servant: Gehazi was Elisha's apprentice, just as Elisha had been with Elijah (1 Kings 19:21). It was common for a prophet to seek advice from his assistant.

2 Kings 4:8–37

Elisha's interactions with the woman from Shunem are shown in two similar parts (2 Kings 4:8–20, 21–37). Shunem was a border town in the land given to the tribe of Issachar (Joshua 19:18).

Theme notes and profiles

Elijah Elisha Sarah

Events

Prophecies of Elisha

Related verses

Luke 1:7
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
Genesis 15:2–3
But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
1 Samuel 1:8
“Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
Genesis 18:10–14
Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.
Judges 13:2
Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, whose wife was barren and had no children.
Genesis 25:21
Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.
1 Samuel 1:2
He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
Genesis 17:17
Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?”
Genesis 30:1
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob.

Parallels

Matthew 10:40–42

People

Gehazi: Elisha's servant; punished with leprosy for greed and deceit

Glossary

Elisha Gehazi Habakkuk (Person) Kings, Books of First and Second Sons of the Prophets

Topics

Shunammite: A Woman Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha, and Whose Son he Raised to Life Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha

2 Kings 4:14

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