Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son – Bible Story for Kids

This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in 2 Kings 4:8-37, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.

Once upon a time, there was a kind woman who lived in a place called Shunem. One day, a man named Elisha passed by her home. She invited him in for a meal and was very hospitable to him. Elisha was grateful for her kindness and wanted to thank her. He asked his servant, Gehazi, to ask the woman what he could do for her.

The woman’s husband was an important man, and she had everything she needed. So she said to Gehazi, “I don’t need anything, but I recognize that Elisha is a holy man of God. Let’s build him a room with a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so he can stay with us whenever he’s in town.”

Elisha was very touched by her generosity and stayed in the room whenever he passed through Shunem. He became very close to the woman and her husband and wanted to do something nice for them. One day, he asked the woman what he could do for her. She said that she had everything she needed, but that she had no children and her husband was old.

Elisha then told her that she would have a son in a year’s time. The woman was very surprised and didn’t believe him, but Elisha’s words came true. The woman had a baby boy the next year and was overjoyed.

Years passed, and the boy grew up. But one day, while he was working in the field, he suddenly felt sick and said his head hurt. His father told a servant to take the boy to his mother. But the boy died while sitting on his mother’s lap at noon. The woman was heartbroken and laid her son on Elisha’s bed. She then went to find Elisha to tell him what had happened.

When Elisha saw the woman, he knew something was wrong, but he didn’t know what it was. The woman told Elisha that her son had died, and Elisha wanted to help. He sent his servant Gehazi to go to the boy and put Elisha’s staff on his face. But when Gehazi got there, the boy didn’t wake up.

Elisha then went to the woman’s house, closed the door, and prayed to God. He then lay on the boy’s body, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. As he stretched himself upon the boy, the child’s body became warm. Elisha then got up, walked around the room, and lay on the boy again. This time, the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes! Elisha told the woman to pick up her son, and she was overjoyed.

Biblical Lessons

We should be kind and hospitable to others, as we never know when we might be entertaining angels or holy people.
Even when things seem impossible, we can trust in God’s promises and have faith that he will provide for us.
God has the power to bring the dead back to life and can perform miracles in our lives if we trust in him.

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