2 Kings 4:29

29 Then he said to Gehazi, "Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way. If thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again. And lay my staff upon the face of the child."

2 Kings 4:29 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 4:29

Then he said to Gehazi, gird up thy loins
His loose and long garments about him, that he might make quicker dispatch in travelling:

and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way;
not for the sake of travelling with it, but for an end after mentioned:

if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer
him not again;
that so no time may be lost:

and lay my staff upon the face of the child;
he not intending when he said this to go himself, but at the time, as near as he could, when this action was performed, would pray to God to restore life to the child; for he could not imagine that by this bare action it could be done.

2 Kings 4:29 In-Context

27 And when she came to the man of God at the hill, she caught him by the feet; but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, "Let her alone, for her soul is vexed within her; and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me."

28 Then she said, "Did I desire a son of my lord? Did I not say, `Do not deceive me'?"

29 Then he said to Gehazi, "Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way. If thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again. And lay my staff upon the face of the child."

30 And the mother of the child said, "As the LORD liveth and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee." And he arose and followed her.

31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he went back to meet him, and told him, saying, "The child has not awakened."