New English Translation

2 Kings 4:6-21 New English Translation (NET)

6. When the containers were full, she said to one of her sons, “Bring me another container.” But he answered her, “There are no more.” Then the olive oil stopped flowing.

7. She went and told the prophet. He said, “Go, sell the olive oil. Repay your creditor, and then you and your sons can live off the rest of the profit.”

8. One day Elisha traveled to Shunem, where a prominent woman lived. She insisted that he stop for a meal. So whenever he was passing through, he would stop in there for a meal.

9. She said to her husband, “Look, I’m sure that the man who regularly passes through here is a very special prophet.

10. Let’s make a small private upper room and furnish it with a bed, table, chair, and lamp. When he visits us, he can stay there.”

11. One day Elisha came for a visit; he went into the upper room and rested.

12. He told his servant Gehazi, “Ask the Shunammite woman to come here.” So he did so and she came to him.

13. Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tell her, ‘Look, you have treated us with such great respect. What can I do for you? Can I put in a good word for you with the king or the commander of the army?’” She replied, “I’m quite secure.”

14. So he asked Gehazi, “What can I do for her?” Gehazi replied, “She has no son, and her husband is old.”

15. Elisha told him, “Ask her to come here.” So he did so and she came and stood in the doorway.

16. He said, “About this time next year you will be holding a son.” She said, “No, my master! O prophet, do not lie to your servant!”

17. The woman did conceive, and at the specified time the next year she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

18. The boy grew and one day he went out to see his father who was with the harvest workers.

19. He said to his father, “My head! My head!” His father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.”

20. So he picked him up and took him to his mother. He sat on her lap until noon and then died.

21. She went up and laid him down on the prophet’s bed. She shut the door behind her and left.