One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat. One day Elisha went to ShunemElisha, the prophet and successor of Elijah, traveled extensively throughout Israel. Shunem was a town in the territory of Issachar, located in the Jezreel Valley. This area was fertile and strategically important, often mentioned in the context of various biblical events. Shunem is also known from the story of the Shunammite woman in 1 Samuel 28:4, where the Philistines camped before the battle of Gilboa. Elisha's journey to Shunem signifies his active ministry and the spread of God's word throughout Israel. and a prominent woman who lived there
The woman is described as "prominent," indicating her wealth, influence, or social standing. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, women of prominence often had significant roles in their households and communities. Her prominence may also suggest her ability to provide for Elisha, reflecting the biblical theme of hospitality. This woman is later identified as the Shunammite woman, who plays a significant role in Elisha's ministry, demonstrating faith and hospitality. persuaded him to have a meal
Hospitality was a crucial aspect of ancient Near Eastern culture, and sharing a meal was a sign of friendship and respect. The woman's persuasion indicates her eagerness to serve the man of God, reflecting the biblical principle of showing kindness to strangers, as seen in Hebrews 13:2. Her hospitality foreshadows the blessings she will receive, illustrating the principle that those who bless God's servants are themselves blessed. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat
Elisha's repeated visits to the woman's home suggest a relationship of mutual respect and trust. This regular hospitality provided Elisha with physical sustenance and a place of rest, enabling him to continue his prophetic ministry. The woman's consistent generosity is reminiscent of the widow of Zarephath's support for Elijah in 1 Kings 17:8-16, highlighting the theme of God's provision through faithful individuals. This relationship also prefigures the New Testament practice of supporting itinerant ministers, as seen in 3 John 1:5-8. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and being a spiritual leader in Israel. 2. ShunemA town in the territory of Issachar, located in the northern part of ancient Israel. It is significant as the home of the Shunammite woman. 3. The Prominent WomanA wealthy and influential woman from Shunem who shows hospitality to Elisha, recognizing him as a man of God. Teaching Points The Importance of HospitalityThe Shunammite woman's hospitality towards Elisha demonstrates the biblical principle of welcoming and serving others, especially those who serve God. Recognizing God's ServantsHer discernment in recognizing Elisha as a man of God encourages believers to be attentive to those who carry God's message and to support them. Blessings of GenerosityThe account foreshadows the blessings that come from generosity and kindness, as the Shunammite woman later receives a miraculous blessing from God through Elisha. Faith in ActionThe Shunammite woman's actions reflect a faith that is active and practical, showing love and care through tangible means. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Shunammite woman's hospitality towards Elisha challenge our own approach to serving others in our community? 2. In what ways can we discern and support the work of God's servants in our lives today? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced or witnessed the blessings of generosity. How did it impact your faith? 4. How does the account of the Shunammite woman and Elisha encourage us to put our faith into action? 5. What other biblical examples of hospitality can we learn from, and how do they reinforce the teachings found in 2 Kings 4:8? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 17:8-24The 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. Matthew 10:41Jesus speaks about receiving a prophet and the associated reward, which connects to the Shunammite woman's recognition and support of Elisha. People Elisha, GehaziPlaces Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, ShunemTopics Aside, Bread, Constrained, Distinguished, Eat, Elisha, Eli'sha, Fell, Hold, Layeth, Meal, Oft, Often, Pass, Passed, Passeth, Passing, Persuaded, Position, Prominent, Shunem, Stay, Stopped, Thither, Turn, Turneth, Urged, Wealthy, Well-to-do, WheneverDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 4:8 4438 eating
4476 meals 2 Kings 4:8-9 8281 insight 2 Kings 4:8-10 5339 home
5699 guests
8319 perception, spiritual
8436 giving, of possessions
8447 hospitality, examples 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 4:8 NIV2 Kings 4:8 NLT2 Kings 4:8 ESV2 Kings 4:8 NASB2 Kings 4:8 KJV
2 Kings 4:8 Commentaries
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