A Shunammite Woman Helps
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Key Verse: “She said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.” Selected Scripture: |
AS A GREAT PROPHET of Israel, Elisha performed numerous miracles that attested to the glory and power of God. “It fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.”—II Kings 4:8
Our Key Verses demonstrate the deep appreciation this good woman had for the pious man of God. She petitioned her husband to provide a room for Elisha’s use whenever he should travel through Shunem.
During one of his visits, Elisha inquired through his servant Gehazi how he could make recompense for her hospitality. (vss. 12,13) Her reaction reaffirmed her generosity of spirit. She was not expecting any special favors and was quite content with her station in life. Nevertheless, Elisha continued to pursue the matter further through his servant. He observed the woman’s husband was aged and she had no son. The prophet then seized upon this opportunity by summoning his hostess once again and informed her she would bear a son. (vss. 14-16) This joyous news was difficult for her to believe but at the appointed time, the proof of this promise was confirmed.—vs. 17
It is quite probable that following the birth of her son, his mother was exceedingly joyful and would always feel a sense of deep gratitude towards Elisha for this wonderful blessing that was bestowed upon her.
As the child grew older, one day he was in the field with his father during the reaping of grain and he suddenly became ill. He was carried back to his home to be with his mother, but he died about noon. Without informing her husband that their son was dead, she traveled to Mount Carmel to seek out Elisha who observed her deep anguish. Elisha ultimately returned to the Shunammite woman’s home, laid his body upon the lad, prayed to the Heavenly Father, and the child was restored to life.—vss.18-37
The latter portion of this narrative attests to the great faith of the Shunammite woman who sought out the prophet in her hour of trial, as well as Elisha’s trust in God’s power as he was permitted to awaken the lad from the sleep of death.
This wonderful miracle was illustrative of the great work to be performed during the coming kingdom, because Jesus Christ gave his life to purchase the dying race of humanity. (John 5:25) All of the sorrows associated with sin will be removed from mankind during this forthcoming period of promised blessings. What a time of rejoicing that will be!
“The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”—Isa. 35:5-10