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2 Kings 4:19

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 4:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to his servant, Carry him to his mother.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to his servant, Carry him to his mother.
2 Kings 4:19 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16And he said, At this season, when the time cometh round, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thy handmaid.
17And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season, when the time came round, as Elisha had said unto her.
18And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
19And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to his servant, Carry him to his mother.
20And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.
21And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut [the door] upon him, and went out.
22And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the servants, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.
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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 unto his father, my head, my head, etc.] After he had been some time with him, he complained of a pain in his head, which might be owing, as Abarbinel thinks, to the sun’s beating upon it, being harvest time, and hot weather; and the pain being exceeding great and vehement, he repeated his complaint, (see <240419>Jeremiah 4:19) and he said to a lad, carry him home to his mother; his father gave orders to a lad that attended the reapers to have him home to his mother, that she might give him something to ease him of his pain.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“RAISES HER DEAD SON. (2Ki. 4:18-37) My head, my head!--The cries of the boy, the part affected, and the season of the year, make it probable that he had been overtaken by a stroke of the sun. Pain, stupor, and inflammatory fever are the symptoms of the disease, which is often fatal.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The child’s malady was a sunstroke. The inhabitants of Palestine suffered from this (Psalms 121:6; Isaiah 49:10; Judith 8:3). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“My head: From this peculiar exclamation, and the season of the year, it is probable he was affected by the coup de soleil, or stroke of the sun, which is by no means uncommon in hot climates, and often proves fatal. Job 14:1, Job 14:2; Jer 4:19 4 Kings (2 Kings) 4:20”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification