2 Kings 4:29

“Then he said to Gehazi, gird up thy loins, etc.] 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.”

“take my staff . . . and lay . . . upon the face of the child--The staff was probably an official rod of a certain form and size. Necromancers used to send their staff with orders to the messengers to let it come in contact with nothing by the way that might dissipate or destroy the virtue imparted to it. Some have thought that Elisha himself entertained similar ideas, and was under an impression that the actual application of his staff would serve as well as the touch of his hand. But this is an imputation dishonorable to the character of the prophet. He wished to teach the Shunammite, who obviously placed too great dependence upon him, a memorable lesson to look to God. By sending his…”

“Salute him not - Compare the marginal reference. Salutation is the forerunner of conversation and one bent on speed would avoid every temptation to loiter. Lay my staff upon the face of the child - Perhaps to assuage the grief of the mother, by letting her feel that something was being done for her child. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Gird up - Tie up thy long garments about thy loins for expedition. If thou meet, &c. - Make no delay nor stop by the way, neither by words nor actions. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 4:30”

“4:29 Elisha instructed Gehazi not to talk to anyone along the way, indicating the seriousness and urgency of the mission. Jesus gave similar instructions when he sent out the seventy-two disciples (Luke 10:4). • Laying Elisha’s staff on the child’s face signified the prophet’s intention to identify with the boy and claim God’s power.”

“Gird up thy loins: Kg2 9:1; Kg1 18:46; Eph 6:14; Pe1 1:13 take my: Kg2 2:14; Exo 4:17 salute him not: Luk 10:4 lay my staff: Kg2 2:8, Kg2 2:14; Exo 7:19, Exo 7:20, Exo 14:16; Jos 6:4, Jos 6:5; Act 3:16, Act 19:12 4 Kings (2 Kings) 4:30”