She came: Good News Translation does not translate this part of the Hebrew text since the previous verse already says “she came to him.” However, the sense here seems to be that “She came closer to him” (Bible en français courant; similarly Parole de Vie).

Fell at his feet: His feet refers to Elisha’s feet and not those of the woman’s son. This should be made clear to the reader.

Bowing to the ground is an extension or further explanation of fell at his feet. It intensifies the previous clause and shows that the woman bowed so low that her face was touching the surface on which Elisha was standing. The word ground is not to be taken literally since Elisha and the woman were on the upper floor of the house in Shunem. It is true, however, that the floor would have been made of earth. If there is any doubt as to why the woman bowed before Elisha, it will be possible to add “to show her gratitude” (compare the comments on 1 Kgs 1.16).

Then; that is, after the woman first gave appropriate thanks to the prophet for bringing her son back to life. Some may render the common Hebrew conjunction in this context as “after that.”

She took up her son: As in the previous verse, the Hebrew verb here may be translated “picked up” or “took.”

Went out: This refers to the woman going out of the guest room but probably not outside her house. In order to avoid confusion, some may find it necessary to translate “left the room.” For the last half of the verse, New Living Translation says “she picked up her son and carried him downstairs.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .