The term "Shu'nammite" refers to a woman from the town of Shunem, a small village in the territory of Issachar, located in the northern part of ancient Israel. The Shu'nammite woman is a notable figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the narratives involving the prophets Elijah and Elisha. Her account is primarily found in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings.

1. The Shu'nammite Woman and Elisha:

The most prominent Shu'nammite woman is introduced in 2 Kings 4:8-37. She is described as a wealthy and influential woman who showed great hospitality to the prophet Elisha. Recognizing Elisha as a holy man of God, she persuaded her husband to prepare a small room for him on the roof of their house, providing him with a place to stay whenever he passed through Shunem.

In gratitude for her kindness, Elisha sought to bless her. Despite her initial reluctance to ask for anything, Elisha, through his servant Gehazi, learned that she had no son and that her husband was old. Elisha prophesied that she would embrace a son within a year, a promise that was fulfilled as recorded in 2 Kings 4:17: "But the woman conceived and gave birth to a son at that time the next year, just as Elisha had told her."

Tragedy struck when the child grew older and suddenly died. The Shu'nammite woman displayed remarkable faith and determination by seeking out Elisha at Mount Carmel. She laid the child on the prophet's bed and set out to find Elisha, refusing to disclose the child's death to anyone else. Upon reaching Elisha, she expressed her distress, and Elisha returned with her to Shunem. Through prayer and divine intervention, Elisha restored the child to life, as detailed in 2 Kings 4:32-37.

2. The Shu'nammite Woman's Land Restored:

The Shu'nammite woman reappears in 2 Kings 8:1-6. Following Elisha's advice, she and her household left their land to sojourn in the land of the Philistines during a seven-year famine. Upon her return, she appealed to the king for the restoration of her property. Providentially, Gehazi, Elisha's servant, was recounting to the king the miracles performed by Elisha, including the resurrection of her son. The king, moved by her account, appointed an official to ensure that all her property and the income from her land during her absence were restored to her.

3. The Song of Solomon:

The term "Shu'nammite" is also associated with the beloved in the Song of Solomon, although her identity is less clear. In Song of Solomon 6:13, the term "Shulammite" is used, which some scholars suggest may be a variant of "Shu'nammite." This connection, however, remains speculative and is not definitively established in the text.

4. Significance:

The Shu'nammite woman is celebrated for her hospitality, faith, and perseverance. Her interactions with Elisha highlight the themes of divine reward for faithfulness and the power of God to bring life from death. Her account serves as an example of unwavering trust in God's promises and the importance of seeking God's intervention in times of distress. Her narrative also underscores the role of women in the biblical text as active participants in God's unfolding plan.Shu'nammite (8 Occurrences)

1 Kings 1:3
So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
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1 Kings 1:15
And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber. --Now the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.--
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1 Kings 2:17
And he said: 'Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king--for he will not say thee nay--that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife.'
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1 Kings 2:21
And she said: 'Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.'
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1 Kings 2:22
And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother: 'And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.'
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2 Kings 4:12
And he said to Gehazi his servant: 'Call this Shunammite.' And when he had called her, she stood before him.
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2 Kings 4:25
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.
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2 Kings 4:36
And he called Gehazi, and said: 'Call this Shunammite.' So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said: 'Take up thy son.'
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Shu'nammite (8 Occurrences)
Shu'nammite. Shunammite, Shu'nammite. Shunem . Multi-Version Concordance
Shu'nammite (8 Occurrences). 1 Kings 1:3 So they sought ...
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Shunem (3 Occurrences)

/s/shunem.htm - 10k

Shunammite (8 Occurrences)

/s/shunammite.htm - 10k

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