The Shunammite's Son
G. S. Butters. 2 Kings 4:20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. I. THE DEAD CHILD. Beautiful: innocent, and pure. 1. His death was sudden. Although sufficiently grown to have passed the usual dangers of the infant age, he is not old enough to go out to the field to the reapers. 2. In the death of this child there is one of the hardest providences to understand. II. THE BELIEVING MOTHER. In reality she is the central figure in this story. 1. She manifested her faith by her determination. She tells no one of her plans, but prepares to go to find the prophet, and bring him to the chamber where the child has been placed. 2. She showed her faith again in not making known her errand until she met the prophet himself. She must pour her complaint into the ears of God's representative. 3. Her faith came out still stronger in her refusing to leave the prophet unless he would return with her. Gehazi had been sent with the prophet's staff, but this, to her mind, was not sufficient. Her intuition seemed to tell her that it would not restore the child, and Elisha must return with her. III. THE RESTORED SON. 1. He stretched himself upon the child. He "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." 2. This effort was a manifestation of the earnestness of the prophet. Elijah did the same. In both cases there was such an earnest longing for the accomplishment of the purpose that they would willingly give their own lives to restore the dead. (G. S. Butters.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. WEB: When he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees until noon, and then died.