A wealthy Shunammite woman, hospitable to Elisha whenever he passed, had built him a small upper room. Asking how to repay her, Elisha was told by his servant Gehazi: 'She has no son, and her husband is old.' Elisha promised: 'At this season next year, you shall embrace a son.' She protested: 'No, my lord, do not lie to your maidservant.' She conceived and bore a son.
When the boy had grown to early childhood, he was struck by sunstroke in the field at harvest. They carried him to his mother; he died on her lap at noon. Telling no one, she laid him on Elisha's bed, closed the door, and rode out to find the prophet. Elisha returned with her, went into the room, shut the door, and prayed. He stretched himself upon the child — mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. The body grew warm. He rose and walked once across the room and again stretched himself upon the boy. The child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. Elisha gave him back to his mother.