Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Kings 4:31

31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child, but there was neither voice, nor hearing : wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked .

i. e. Neither speech, nor sense, nor any sign of life, to wit, in the Child. Which disappointment might proceed from hence, that Elisha having changed his mind, and yielded to her importunity to go with her, did alter his course, and not joyn his fervent prayers with Gehazi's action, but reserved them till he came thither.

i. e. Not revived: death being oft and fitly compared to a sleep, as Psal. 76. 5. Dan. 12. 2. because of the Resurrection which will in due time follow it, and here followed speedily, which makes the expression most proper in this place.

Marginal references: Heb. attention.