Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm.
We may well suppose that, after the birth of this son, the prophet was doubly welcome to the good Shunammite. He had thought himself indebted to her, but henceforth, as long as she lives, she will think herself in his debt, and that she can never do too much for him.
Commenting on 2 Kings 4:18-37
And he went up,.... To the bed, which was on an ascent in the chamber; see Gill on Kg2 1:4 and lay upon the child; as Elijah did on the widow's son of Zarephath, Kg1 17:21. and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands, and stretched himself upon the child; that is, he did...
lay upon the child, &c.--(see Kg1 17:21; Act 20:10). Although this contact with a dead body would communicate ceremonial uncleanness, yet, in performing the great moral duties of piety and benevolence, positive laws were sometimes dispensed with, particularly by the prophets.