Lexical Summary Shunammith: Shunammite Original Word: שׁוּנַמִּית Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shunamite Patrial from Shuwnem; a Shunammitess, or female inhabitant of Shunem -- Shunamite. see HEBREW Shuwnem NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Shunem Definition female inhab. of Shunem NASB Translation Shunammite (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs שׁוּנַמִּית adjective, of a people, feminine of foregoing: 1 ׳אֲבִישַׁג הַשּׁ 1 Kings 1:3,15; 1 Kings 2:17,21 (׳הַשֻּׁ), 1 Kings 2:22 (id.). 2 ׳הַשּׁ 2 Kings 4:12,25,36. Topical Lexicon Geographical and Cultural Setting of Shunem Shunem lay on the southern slopes of the Hill of Moreh in the Jezreel Valley, positioned along key military and trade routes that linked the northern tribes to the central highlands. Its fertile fields, proximity to Mount Gilboa, and vantage over the Great Plain made it a strategic site—one visited by Pharaohs, kings of Israel, and the armies of Assyria alike. Life in Shunem blended agrarian prosperity with exposure to national events, preparing the stage for two women whose accounts still instruct the Church. Abishag the Shunammite: Royal Nurse and Court Witness 1 Kings 1–2 repeatedly calls Abishag “the Shunammite,” binding her identity to her homeland. She is introduced when aging King David’s body “could not keep warm” (1 Kings 1:1). The royal court sought “a young virgin” to serve as caregiver, and Abishag was chosen “and lay beside the king to keep him warm” (1 Kings 1:4). Abishag’s ministry combined medical care, personal service, and ceremonial presence. Her physical nearness to David made her a living symbol of the king’s household and future succession. When Adonijah later petitioned Bathsheba, “Speak to King Solomon—for he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife” (1 Kings 2:17), the request threatened Solomon’s throne. In ancient Near Eastern custom, possession of a former king’s concubine implied a claim to the crown (compare 2 Samuel 16:21–22). Solomon’s swift judgment (1 Kings 2:22–25) preserved dynastic integrity and underscored the sanctity of the Davidic line. Abishag began as a caregiver but ended as a silent catalyst in the transfer of power, testifying to God’s sovereign protection of the Davidic promise. The Distinguished Shunammite of Elisha’s Ministry Centuries later, Elisha traveled the same Jezreel corridor. “One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a notable woman urged him to stay for a meal” (2 Kings 4:8). Her hospitality became habitual; she even built “a small upper room with a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp” (4:10), providing an Old Testament prototype of the Christian ministry guest room (compare 3 John 5–8). 1. Promise and Miracle Birth Though wealthy, she was childless. Elisha prophesied, “About this time next year you will hold a son in your arms” (2 Kings 4:16). The birth of her son mirrored themes of Isaac, Samuel, and John the Baptist—each a child of promise, granted in answer to faith. 2. Crisis and Resurrection Years later the boy died suddenly in the field. The mother laid him on Elisha’s bed and rode urgently to Mount Carmel (2 Kings 4:25). Her declaration, “It is well” (4:26), has echoed through generations as a confession that God’s covenant faithfulness trumps visible tragedy. Elisha stretched himself upon the child, “and the boy opened his eyes” (4:35). The Shunammite’s account stands as the first full resurrection narrative since Elijah’s raising of the Zarephath widow’s son, foreshadowing Christ’s victory over death. 3. Famine and Restoration In 2 Kings 8:1–6 (where the title “Shunammite” reappears indirectly), Elisha forewarned a seven-year famine. She obeyed, sojourned among the Philistines, and later appealed for the return of her land. The king restored “all that was hers, plus all the income from her land” (8:6), exhibiting God’s ability to redeem losses incurred through obedience. Theological and Ministry Themes • Kingdom Succession and Purity: Abishag’s narrative guards the Messianic line. Her presence in the palace sealed the transition from David to Solomon, pointing ultimately to the unbroken lineage culminating in Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:6–16). • Hospitality and Partnership: The Shunammite woman illustrates that material resources, when surrendered to God’s purposes, propagate the prophetic word. Believers today partner with Gospel messengers through similar acts of generosity (Philippians 4:14–19). • Faith Under Trial: Her declaration “It is well” offers a template for steadfast trust. Hebrews 11:35 cites women who “received back their dead, raised to life again,” an explicit nod to her testimony. • Resurrection Hope: Elisha’s miracle anticipates the bodily resurrection promised to all in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). • Divine Recompense: The land restoration episode confirms that God is “a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Practical Applications for the Church 1. Care for the Aged and Infirm: Abishag models dignified, compassionate service; congregations can mirror this through elder care ministries. Summary Strong’s Hebrew 7767 points to two unnamed yet unforgettable women from Shunem. Abishag safeguarded the Davidic promise during a vulnerable interregnum, while the later Shunammite’s faith ushered in resurrection power and social restoration. Together they embody compassion, hospitality, courageous faith, and the unwavering reliability of God’s covenant purposes. Forms and Transliterations הַשֻּׁנַמִּ֑ית הַשֻּׁנַמִּ֣ית הַשֻּׁנַמִּית֙ הַשּׁ֣וּנַמִּ֔ית הַשּׁוּנַמִּ֖ית הַשּׁוּנַמִּ֥ית השונמית השנמית לַשּׁוּנַמִּ֣ית לשונמית haš·šu·nam·mîṯ haš·šū·nam·mîṯ hashShunamMit haššunammîṯ haššūnammîṯ laš·šū·nam·mîṯ lashshunamMit laššūnammîṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 1:3 HEB: אֶת־ אֲבִישַׁג֙ הַשּׁ֣וּנַמִּ֔ית וַיָּבִ֥אוּ אֹתָ֖הּ NAS: Abishag the Shunammite, and brought KJV: Abishag a Shunammite, and brought INT: and found Abishag the Shunammite and brought the king 1 Kings 1:15 1 Kings 2:17 1 Kings 2:21 1 Kings 2:22 2 Kings 4:12 2 Kings 4:25 2 Kings 4:36 8 Occurrences |
    |