2 Kings 4:27

27 And when she came ¹to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, "Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me."

2 Kings 4:27 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 4:27

And when she came to the man of God to the hill
To the top of it:

she caught him by the feet;
in reverence to him, and as a supplicant, she prostrated herself at his feet, and, out of affection to him, caught hold on them, and held them fast, and determined not to leave him until he had promised to go with her, see ( Matthew 28:9 ) . It was usual with the Jews to lay hold on and kiss the feet or knees of those to whom they did homage, or made supplication, see ( Matthew 28:9 ) ( Luke 7:38 ) . (See Gill on Luke 7:38), and so with the Greeks, as may be observed in various passages in Homer ^F25 and others:

but Gehazi came near to thrust her away;
as being troublesome and disagreeable to his master, and not for her honour and credit:

and the man of God said, let her alone, for her soul is vexed within
her;
or "is bitter" ^F26, full of trouble and distress, and knows not what to do, nor very well what she does:

and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me:
what is the cause of this her trouble; for prophets did not know things of themselves, nor had they the vision of prophecy at their will and pleasure, but according to the will of God.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F25 Vid. Barthium ad Claudian. de Raptu Proserpin. l. 1. ver. 50.
F26 (hrm) "amara", Pagninus, Montanus

2 Kings 4:27 In-Context

25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, "Look, there is the Shunammite.

26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, 'Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?'" And she answered, "All is well."

27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, "Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me."

28 Then she said, "Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, 'Do not deceive me?'"

29 He said to Gehazi, "Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child."

Cross References

• 1. ver. 25