And he said to Gehazi his servant, "Call the Shunammite woman." And when he had called her, she stood before him, And he said to Gehazi his servant,Elisha, the prophet, is speaking to Gehazi, who serves as his assistant. Gehazi's role is significant as he often acts as a mediator between Elisha and others. This reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient Israelite society, where prophets often had attendants. Gehazi's later actions in 2 Kings 5 reveal his character flaws, contrasting with Elisha's integrity. “Call the Shunammite woman.”
The Shunammite woman is a notable figure in 2 Kings 4. She is from Shunem, a town in the territory of Issachar, located in the Jezreel Valley. Her hospitality towards Elisha demonstrates her faith and respect for God's prophet. Her story parallels the hospitality shown to prophets in other biblical accounts, such as the widow of Zarephath with Elijah (1 Kings 17). The Shunammite woman's interactions with Elisha highlight themes of faith, divine reward, and the miraculous. And when he had called her,
Gehazi acts on Elisha's command, showing the obedience expected of a servant. This action sets the stage for the Shunammite woman's direct interaction with Elisha, emphasizing the importance of her role in the narrative. Her willingness to respond to the call reflects her respect and trust in Elisha, which is crucial for the unfolding of the miracle that follows. she stood before him,
The Shunammite woman's presence before Elisha signifies her readiness to receive a message or blessing. Standing before a prophet was a position of humility and expectation. This moment foreshadows the significant interaction that will lead to the promise of a son, a theme reminiscent of other biblical accounts where God grants children to barren women, such as Sarah (Genesis 18) and Hannah (1 Samuel 1). This encounter underscores the power of God working through His prophets to fulfill His promises. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and being a spiritual leader in Israel. 2. GehaziElisha's servant, who plays a significant role in assisting Elisha but later faces consequences for his actions. 3. The Shunammite WomanA notable woman from Shunem who shows hospitality to Elisha and is blessed with a son as a result of her kindness. 4. ShunemA town in the territory of Issachar, where the Shunammite woman lived. It is significant as a place of hospitality and divine encounters. 5. The EventElisha instructs Gehazi to call the Shunammite woman, setting the stage for a miraculous promise and fulfillment in her life. Teaching Points The Power of HospitalityThe Shunammite woman's hospitality opens the door for God's blessings. We are encouraged to practice hospitality, knowing it can lead to divine encounters. Faithful ServiceGehazi's role as a servant reminds us of the importance of serving faithfully, though his later actions warn against greed and unfaithfulness. Divine AppointmentsGod orchestrates meetings and events for His purposes. We should be attentive to His leading and ready to respond to His call. God's Reward for KindnessThe Shunammite woman's kindness is rewarded with a miraculous gift. Our acts of kindness can have far-reaching spiritual impacts. Standing Before GodJust as the Shunammite woman stood before Elisha, we are called to stand before God, ready to receive His word and direction. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Shunammite woman's hospitality reflect the biblical call to serve others, and how can we apply this in our daily lives? 2. In what ways does Gehazi's role as a servant teach us about the importance of faithful service, and what lessons can we learn from his later actions? 3. How can we recognize and respond to divine appointments in our lives, similar to the Shunammite woman's encounter with Elisha? 4. What are some practical ways we can show kindness to others, and how might God use these acts to bless both us and those we serve? 5. How can we cultivate a posture of readiness to stand before God and receive His guidance, as the Shunammite woman did before Elisha? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 17The account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath parallels Elisha's interaction with the Shunammite woman, highlighting themes of hospitality and divine provision. Hebrews 13:2This verse encourages believers to show hospitality, as some have entertained angels without knowing it, reflecting the Shunammite woman's actions. Luke 10:38-42The account of Mary and Martha emphasizes the importance of serving and listening to God's word, akin to the Shunammite woman's service to Elisha. People Elisha, GehaziPlaces Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, ShunemTopics Calleth, Gehazi, Geha'zi, Servant, Shunamite, Shunammite, Shu'nammite, Standeth, Stood, VoiceDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 4:11-17 5733 pregnancy Library When the Oil Flows
'And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.'--2 KINGS iv. 6. The series of miracles ascribed to Elisha are very unlike most of the wonderful works of even the Old Testament, and still more unlike those of the New. For about a great many of them there seems to have been no special purpose, either doctrinal or otherwise, but simply the relief of trivial and transient distresses. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureA Miracle Needing Effort
'So she went, and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: 26. Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband! is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. 27. And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Infant Salvation
Now, let every mother and father here present know assuredly that it is well with the child, if God hath taken it away from you in its infant days. You never heard its declaration of faith--it was not capable of such a thing--it was not baptized into the Lord Jesus Christ, not buried with him in baptism; it was not capable of giving that "answer of a good conscience towards God;" nevertheless, you may rest assured that it is well with the child, well in a higher and a better sense than it is well …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861 That the Grace of Devotion is Acquired by Humility and Self-Denial
The Voice of the Beloved Thou oughtest to seek earnestly the grace of devotion, to ask it fervently, to wait for it patiently and faithfully, to receive it gratefully, to preserve it humbly, to work with it diligently, and to leave to God the time and manner of heavenly visitation until it come. Chiefly oughtest thou to humble thyself when thou feelest inwardly little or no devotion, yet not to be too much cast down, nor to grieve out of measure. God ofttimes giveth in one short moment what He …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Extracts No. Ix.
[As the objector here begins to give up his ground, his letters from this place will be given nearly entire. He commences this number as follows, viz.] "Dear sir and brother--Your reply to my seventh number has been received, and hereby duly acknowledged. I have just given it a second reading, with peculiar care and attention; and I must add, generally speaking, with peculiar satisfaction too; for as it has tended in some degree to revive my almost extinguished faith in divine revelation, so it …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him." If we consider the sketch, given us in scripture, of the life of this patriarch, we shall find that few have had equal manifestations of the divine favor. But the light did not at all times shine on him. He had his dark hours while dwelling in this strange land. Here we find an horror of great darkness to have fallen upon him. The language used to describe his state, on this occasion, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Soul.
Man as we behold him is not all there is of man. He is a wonderful being. He stands in the highest order of God's creation. He Is A Compound. Man was created a physical and spiritual organism. He possesses an animal and a spiritual life. Thus he is connected with two worlds. The physical creation is termed the "outward man," and the spiritual, the "inward man." "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." 2 Cor. 4:16. "For we know …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
WE Are now come to the letter of Mr. W's Jewish Rabby, whom Mr. W. calls his friend, and says his letter consists of calm and sedate reasoning, p. 55. I on the other hand can see no reason in it. But the reader than not need to rely upon my judgment. Therefore I will transcribe some parts of it, and then make some remarks. The argument of the letter is, that the story of Lazarus's being raised is an imposture; or else the Jews could not have been so wicked, as to be on that account provoked against …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles Supplementary Note to Chapter ii. The Year of Christ's Birth.
The Christian era commences on the 1st of January of the year 754 of the city of Rome. That our Lord was born about the time stated in the text may appear from the following considerations-- The visit of the wise men to Bethlehem must have taken place a very few days after the birth of Jesus, and before His presentation in the temple. Bethlehem was not the stated residence of Joseph and Mary, either before or after the birth of the child (Luke i. 26, ii. 4, 39; Matt. ii. 2). They were obliged to …
William Dool Killen—The Ancient Church Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 4:12 NIV2 Kings 4:12 NLT2 Kings 4:12 ESV2 Kings 4:12 NASB2 Kings 4:12 KJV
2 Kings 4:12 Commentaries
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