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    Old Testament
    Resurrection

    Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son

    Elisha stretched himself on a dead boy and the child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.

    Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son

    A wealthy Shunammite woman had shown great kindness to Elisha; God gave her a son in her old age. When the boy died suddenly in his mother's arms, she rode hard to Mount Carmel for Elisha. The prophet shut the door and prayed, stretched himself upon the child, and the boy came back to life.

    Performed by

    Elisha (by the hand of God)

    Location

    Shunem

    What Happened

    • 1Elisha promised a barren Shunammite a son the next year
    • 2The boy grew, then died of a sudden pain in his head
    • 3His mother laid him on Elisha's bed and rode for the prophet
    • 4Elisha came, shut the door, prayed, and lay upon the child
    • 5The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes

    Key KJV Scriptures

    "Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes."

    Spiritual Significance

    Generosity toward God's servants is never forgotten. The Lord who gave the child restored him through earnest prayer.

    Lesson for Today

    Bring your grief to God without delay. Prayer with persistence touches the heart of heaven.

    Key People

    Elisha
    The Shunammite woman
    Her son

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why did Elisha lie on the child?

    It was a symbol of identification and intercession; the actual power was God's in response to Elisha's prayer (2 Kings 4:33).

    Was this the first resurrection in the Bible?

    Elijah had earlier raised the widow of Zarephath's son (1 Kings 17). Elisha's miracle parallels and confirms his master's ministry.

    Where in the Bible is the miracle of Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son?

    The miracle of Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son is recorded in 2 Kings 4:35 (KJV).

    Who performed the miracle of Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son?

    Scripture records that Elisha (by the hand of God) carried out this miracle at Shunem. Ultimately the power belonged to God, who alone does wondrous things (Psalm 72:18).

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