2 Kings 4:21

21 She took him up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut him in alone, and left.

2 Kings 4:21 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 4:21

And she went up
Into the little chamber built for the prophet:

and laid him on the bed of the man of God;
not from any imagination of any virtue in it to bring her child to life; though she might think of the prophet, and have faith that he could raise it to life, as Elijah raised the widow of Zarephath's son laid on his bed, of which she might have heard; but this being a private room, and into which none went, she laid it here to conceal its death from her husband and family, and to prevent grief, and that they might not bury it until she returned:

and shut the door upon him;
that no creature might enter, and, do any damage to his corpse:

and went out;
not out of the chamber, that she did before she shut the door, but out of the house.

2 Kings 4:21 In-Context

19 complaining, "My head, my head!" His father ordered a servant, "Carry him to his mother."
20 The servant took him in his arms and carried him to his mother. He lay on her lap until noon and died.
21 She took him up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut him in alone, and left.
22 She then called her husband, "Get me a servant and a donkey so I can go to the Holy Man; I'll be back as soon as I can."
23 "But why today? This isn't a holy day - it's neither New Moon nor Sabbath." She said, "Don't ask questions; I need to go right now. Trust me."
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.