Topical Bible: Kindness: Elisha to the Woman Whose Son he Restored to Life

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The account of Elisha and the Shunammite woman, whose son he restored to life, is a profound illustration of kindness and divine intervention. This narrative is found in 2 Kings 4:8-37 and highlights the prophet Elisha's compassionate response to human need, reflecting God's mercy and power.

Context and Background

Elisha, the successor of Elijah, was a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel during the 9th century BC. Known for his miracles and teachings, Elisha traveled extensively, ministering to the people of Israel. The Shunammite woman, a notable figure in this narrative, resided in Shunem, a town in the territory of Issachar.

The Shunammite Woman's Hospitality

The account begins with the Shunammite woman's act of kindness towards Elisha. Recognizing him as a "holy man of God" (2 Kings 4:9), she persuaded her husband to prepare a small room for Elisha to stay whenever he passed through. This gesture of hospitality was significant, as it provided Elisha with a place of rest and refreshment during his travels.

Elisha's Response to Kindness

In gratitude for her generosity, Elisha sought to bless the Shunammite woman. Despite her contentment and lack of requests, Elisha, through his servant Gehazi, discovered that she had no son and her husband was old. Elisha prophesied that she would embrace a son by the following year (2 Kings 4:16). This promise was fulfilled, and the woman bore a son, demonstrating God's reward for her kindness.

The Child's Death and Restoration

Tragedy struck when the child, after growing older, suddenly fell ill and died. The Shunammite woman, in her distress, laid the child on Elisha's bed and set out to find the prophet at Mount Carmel. Her unwavering faith and determination to seek Elisha's help underscore her belief in God's power working through the prophet.

Upon reaching Elisha, she expressed her anguish, and Elisha, moved by compassion, returned with her to Shunem. In a private and intense moment of prayer and physical contact, Elisha stretched himself upon the child, invoking God's power to restore life. The child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes, a miraculous sign of life restored (2 Kings 4:35).

Significance of the Miracle

This miracle is a testament to the kindness and faithfulness of God, as well as the power of prayer and prophetic intercession. Elisha's actions reflect a deep compassion and commitment to serving others, embodying the divine kindness that seeks to restore and heal. The Shunammite woman's faith and Elisha's response highlight the importance of trust in God's promises and the impact of kindness in the lives of His people.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 8:1
Then spoke Elisha to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go you and your household, and sojourn wherever you can sojourn: for the LORD has called for a famine; and it shall also come on the land seven years.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Shunammite's Boy.
... to make her some return for her kindness, and thought ... called to his servant to bring
the Shunammite woman. ... and she fell half fainting at Elisha's feet, pouring ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the shunammites boy.htm

Letter xxii. St. Ambrose in a Letter to his Sister Gives an ...
... course of divine Scripture relates that Elisha, when surrounded ... for evidence those
persons by whose kindness he was supported ... as though una, "a woman," must be ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter xxii st ambrose in.htm

Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
... At that place a woman was brought to him, suffering from a ... It was an act of kindness
to do him service, and it ... his hand was to the dead hand what Elisha was to ...
/.../chapter viii departure from ireland.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... We refer to the prophets Elijah and Elisha" yes, and ... on those who fear him, and with
kindness and love ... 6To no less danger did Esther, that woman of perfect ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

The Barley Field on Fire
... we should have said, as Hazael did to Elisha, "Is thy ... hymn of praise for all the
loving-kindness which God ... I find that the woman never found her piece of money ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the barley field on fire.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... 2599] the virgin on behalf of the woman, [2600] Bethlehem ... similar office"for instance,
Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, the Judges ... His loving kindness? ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

Petilianus Said: "But what have You to do with the Kings of This.. ...
... as though puffed up with vain conceit, but being not unmindful of his kindness. ... 2247]
Elisha thought it good to offer of his own accord to the woman who had ...
/.../chapter 93 202 petilianus.htm

On the Ten Points of Doctrine.
... on high an image of a naked woman, and called ... to life on touching the bones of Elisha,
and is ... Lord, preventing us according to His loving-kindness, has granted ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture iv on the ten.htm

Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna
... forth His Son, made of a woman, made under ... of His lenity, nor shrink from His kindness,
O thou ... Thee also, prefiguring his successor Elisha, [3067] having been ...
/.../the writings of methodius fragments/oration concerning simeon and anna.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... who passed him by, and of the kindness of the ... There lie the prophets Elisha and Obadiah
and John the ... wonderful and her endurance scarcely credible in a woman. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm