2 Kings 4:34

“And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.”

Context

This verse is part of the account of the prophet Elisha and the Shunammite woman. The woman had shown kindness to Elisha by providing him a place to stay whenever he passed through her town. In response to her hospitality, Elisha prophesied that she would have a son, even though she was barren. God fulfilled that promise, and the woman bore a son.

God’s Promise

In this story we see God’s faithfulness to His promises. Elisha’s prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son was brought to pass by God. This reminds us that God does not lie (Numbers 23:19) and that His word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11). We can trust in the certainty of God’s promises for our own lives.

Desperation and Intercession

When the child fell ill and died, the Shunammite woman was filled with desperation. She sought out Elisha and laid her burden before him. Elisha responded by laying himself upon the child, identifying with the child’s condition, and interceding in prayer. This act demonstrates the power of earnest intercession and the importance of bringing desperate situations before God.

Life from God

Elisha’s physical contact with the child produced a visible sign of life. The flesh of the child waxed warm, the child sneezed seven times, and his eyes opened. These details emphasize that life ultimately comes from God. As Elisha was an instrument of God’s life‑giving power, we too must recognize that God is the source of both physical and spiritual life (Acts 17:28).

Miracles and God’s Power

The passage displays God’s power to perform miracles. The child was not merely revived but fully restored, as shown by the warming of his flesh, the sneezing, and the opening of his eyes. This underscores the supernatural authority of God over life and death and reminds us that nothing is impossible for Him (Luke 1:37).

Application

The narrative teaches several key lessons: trust in God’s faithful promises, bring desperate circumstances to Him in prayer, acknowledge God as the source of life, and believe in His power to work miracles. May we, like Elisha, act in faith and see God bring restoration to every area of our lives.

For a fuller understanding, read the surrounding verses of 2 Kings 4 to see the complete context and significance of this miracle.