MAIN TEXT: 2 Kings 4:8-17, 2 Kings 8:1-6
The story of the Shunammite woman is based on the Old Testament scriptures 2 Kings 4:8-37 and 2 Kings 8:1-6. She is described as a great woman who shows hospitality to the prophet Elisha and his servant Gehazi as they pass through her village of Shunem on their way to Mt. Carmel. The Bible reveals that her husband is old, and they have no children. When Elisha wants to reward her for her kindness, she asks for nothing in return, simply saying, “I dwell among mine own people.” Gehazi reveals to Elisha that her husband is old and she has no child, and Elisha tells her she will have a son. The biblical account covers the birth of a son at the appointed time, and later, the son dies, apparently from a sunstroke. Elisha then raises him from the dead.
LESSONS FROM THE SHUNAMMITE WOMAN
1 Kings 4:8 says: “One day Elisha went to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So, whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food.”
After regularly providing meals for Elisha, she asks her husband if they can do something more: “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”
The Shunammite woman was not stingy with her God-given wealth. She didn’t stop at providing occasional meals but generously offered a room for Elisha, complete with comfortable furnishings. “Going above and beyond” could be seen as the definition of generosity when it comes to giving. She gave sacrificially from her heart.
- Offer Hospitality Insistently and Graciously
I love the detail of the word “urged” in the passage above. It’s similar to the word Paul used to describe Lydia’s hospitality in Acts 16:15: “She urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’”
The Shunammite woman understood the deference we often show when something generous is offered. Instead of being swayed by Elisha’s hesitance to accept her gift, she graciously insisted he take it.
She was intentional in offering hospitality, reassuring the recipient of her sincerity. As believers, we should not only offer hospitality but also make it easy for others to accept.
- Cheer On and Support Those Doing God’s Work
By referring to Elisha as “a holy man of God,” the Shunammite woman revealed her esteem for both God and the prophet He had called to ministry. She decided that her ministry would be to support this man of God.
How did she do that? She lifted his burdens, made his work easier, and provided sustenance, comfort, rest, and fellowship. In all of this, she affirmed the importance of Elisha’s calling and sought to help him fulfill it as best she could. As believers, we should recognize God’s calling in others and respond with encouragement and support.
- Seek to Serve Even in Suffering
When Elisha wanted to reward her hospitality, he promised her a child. Her response, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant,” (v.16) reveals her deep desire for motherhood and the pain of her infertility.
The fact that Elisha was unaware of her barrenness shows that her personal suffering had not stifled her willingness to serve others. Despite her personal pain, she did not focus inwardly but turned outward to serve others sacrificially.
The Shunammite woman teaches us that we can either be victims or servants in the midst of our own suffering. While some victims of suffering may be unable to serve others, we should aspire to be selfless, even in times of pain.
- Cultivate Gratitude to God First and Foremost
In an astounding turn of events, the Shunammite woman gave birth to the promised child, but several years later, he died. In great distress, she went straight to Elisha for help without even telling her husband. Elisha eventually revived the child.
What was her first response? “She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground.” Her second response? “Then she picked up her son and went out” (v.37). Gratitude to God (via the man of God) came first. Only then did she pick up her son, who had been dead moments before.
I don’t know about you, but my initial reaction might have been the opposite. I might have even forgotten to thank Elisha (and, therefore, God) at all. But I’m learning from her example to forsake entitlement and cultivate a heart of gratitude to the Giver of all things.
- Speak Eagerly and Readily About God’s Work
Because of their friendship, Elisha warned the Shunammite woman of an impending famine, allowing her to relocate for seven years. Upon returning, she found herself before the king, making a request for her previous home and land. At that moment, it was revealed to the king that Elisha had once restored her dead son to life. 2 Kings 8:6 says, “And when the king asked the woman, she told him.”
While I may never have the opportunity to speak before a king, I want to remember the gifts of God in my life and be ready and eager to share them whenever the opportunity arises.
The account from Luke 22 about the Upper Room made me think of the Shunammite woman. On the night He was betrayed, Jesus offered hospitality to His disciples, encouraged them in their ministry, served them despite His suffering, gave thanks to God, and ultimately offered something more generous than any of them could repay: His very life for theirs.
Written by Elder Felix Wayo (Abesim District, Sunyani Area)
