2 Kings 4:12

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 4:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
2 Kings 4:12 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said to Gehazi his servant, etc.] Who attended him wherever he went, and ministered to him, and lay very probably in the same chamber with him; he might be one of the sons of the prophets: call this Shunammite; tell her I desire to speak with her: and when he had called her, she stood before him; at the door of the chamber, in great reverence of him, and with much humility, waiting to hear what he had to say to her: this must be understood after what had further passed between Elisha and Gehazi, and between Gehazi and the woman, who returned to his master, and acquainted him with what she had said to him, upon which he was sent to call her, and she came.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“She stood - The relation seems to be a little perplexed, but may be thus conceived. It is in this verse recorded in the general, that the prophet sent Gehazi to call her, and that she came to him upon that call: then follows a particular description of the whole business, with all the circumstances, first, of the message with which Gehazi was sent when he went to call her, and of her answer to that message, Kg2 4:13, and of Gehazi's conjecture thereupon, Kg2 4:14, and then of her coming to the prophet at his call: which is there repeated to make way for the following passages. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 4:13”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Gehazi: Kg2 4:29-31, Kg2 5:20-27, Kg2 8:4, Kg2 8:5 servant: Kg2 3:11; Kg1 18:43, Kg1 19:3; Act 13:5 4 Kings (2 Kings) 4:13”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification