The Shunammite Woman’s Son is Raised
In the land of Shunem, there lived a kind and wealthy woman who often showed hospitality to the prophet Elisha. Recognizing that he was a man of God, she and her husband built a special room in their home just for him, so that whenever he passed through their town, he would have a place to rest.
Elisha was deeply moved by her generosity and wanted to bless her in return. Knowing that she and her husband had no children, he prophesied that she would give birth to a son. Just as he had said, the woman later conceived and had a baby boy, bringing great joy to her household.
Years passed, and the child grew. One day, while out in the fields with his father, he suddenly cried out about pain in his head. His father sent him home to his mother, but the child’s condition worsened, and by noon, he had passed away in her arms. Heartbroken, the woman carried her son to the room she had built for Elisha and laid him on the prophet’s bed. Instead of mourning, she acted in faith—saddling a donkey and hurrying to find Elisha.
When she reached him, she fell at his feet in grief. Elisha immediately sent his servant, Gehazi, ahead with his staff to place on the boy, but nothing happened. So Elisha himself went to the house, entered the room, and saw the lifeless child. He closed the door behind him and prayed earnestly to the Lord. Then he stretched himself over the boy, placing his mouth on the child’s mouth, his eyes on the child’s eyes, and his hands on the child’s hands. As he did this, the boy’s body began to grow warm.
Elisha got up, walked around the room, and then stretched himself over the child again. Suddenly, the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes! Life had returned to him.
When the Shunammite woman saw her son alive again, she was overcome with gratitude. She fell at Elisha’s feet, thanking him before taking her precious child into her arms once more.
Bible Verse: “When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and shut the door and prayed to the Lord.” — 2 Kings 4:32-33