Geographical Location:
Shunem was a town located in the territory of the tribe of Issachar, as mentioned in the Old Testament. It is situated in the northern part of ancient Israel, near the Jezreel Valley, south of Mount Gilboa. The modern identification of Shunem is often associated with the village of Sulam in present-day Israel.

Biblical References:
Shunem is mentioned in several key biblical narratives, primarily in the books of Joshua, 1 Samuel, and 2 Kings.

1. Allotment to Issachar:
In the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, Shunem is listed as one of the towns within the inheritance of the tribe of Issachar. Joshua 19:18 states, "Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem."

2. The Shunammite Woman and Elisha:
One of the most notable accounts involving Shunem is the account of the Shunammite woman and the prophet Elisha. This narrative is found in 2 Kings 4:8-37. The Shunammite woman is described as a wealthy and hospitable individual who provided a room for Elisha whenever he passed through the area. In gratitude, Elisha prophesied that she would have a son, despite her previous barrenness. The child was later miraculously revived by Elisha after falling ill and dying. This account highlights themes of faith, hospitality, and divine intervention.

3. David and Abishag the Shunammite:
In 1 Kings 1:1-4, as King David grew old and frail, his servants sought a young woman to attend to him. They found Abishag, a beautiful young woman from Shunem, to care for the king. Although she served David, she did not become his wife. This account underscores the practice of seeking attendants for the king and the significance of Shunem as a place known for its notable inhabitants.

4. The Battle of Gilboa:
Shunem is also mentioned in the context of the battle between the Philistines and Israel, where King Saul faced his final defeat. In 1 Samuel 28:4 , it is recorded, "The Philistines assembled and came and camped at Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they camped at Gilboa." This strategic location highlights Shunem's role in the military history of Israel.

Cultural and Historical Significance:
Shunem's mention in various biblical narratives indicates its importance as a settlement during the time of the Israelite monarchy. The accounts associated with Shunem reflect the cultural practices of hospitality and the role of prophets in Israelite society. The town's proximity to significant battle sites also underscores its strategic importance in the ancient Near East.

Theological Themes:
The accounts involving Shunem emphasize themes of divine providence, the power of prophetic ministry, and the faithfulness of God's promises. The Shunammite woman's interactions with Elisha demonstrate the blessings that come from faith and hospitality, while the revival of her son serves as a testament to God's power over life and death. The presence of Abishag in King David's court illustrates the human need for care and companionship, even among the most powerful.

Shunem, therefore, stands as a testament to the intertwining of everyday life with divine purpose, showcasing how God works through ordinary people and places to fulfill His plans.Shunem

their change; their sleep

Shunem

(double resting-place), one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Issachar. (Joshua 13:18) It is mentioned on two occasions -- (1 Samuel 23:4; 2 Kings 4:8) It was besides the native place of Abishag. (1 Kings 1:3) It is mentioned by Eusebius as five miles south of Mount Tabor, and then known us Sulem. This agrees with the position of the present Solam , a village three miles north of Jezreel and five from Gilboa.

Shunem

A city of Issachar, Joshua 19:18. The Philistines encamped at Shunem, in the great field or Plain of Esdraelon, 1 Samuel 28:4; and Saul encamped at Gilboa. Abishag, king of David's nurse, was of Shunem, 1 Kings 1:3; so also was the woman whose son Elisha restored to life, 2 Kings 4:8-37. Eusebius and Jerome place it five miles south of Tabor; and it is now recognized in a poor village called Solam, on a declivity at the northwest corner of a smaller valley of Jezreel.

Two resting-places, a little village in the tribe of Issachar, to the north of Jezreel and south of Mount Gilboa (Joshua 19:18), where the Philistines encamped when they came against Saul (1 Samuel 28:4), and where Elisha was hospitably entertained by a rich woman of the place. On the sudden death of this woman's son she hastened to Carmel, 20 miles distant across the plain, to tell Elisha, and to bring him with her to Shunem. There, in the "prophet's chamber," the dead child lay; and Elisha entering it, shut the door and prayed earnestly: and the boy was restored to life (2 Kings 4:8-37). This woman afterwards retired during the famine to the low land of the Philistines; and on returning a few years afterwards, found her house and fields in the possession of a stranger. She appealed to the king at Samaria, and had them in a somewhat remarkable manner restored to her (Comp. 2 Kings 8:1-6).SHUNEM

shoo'-nem (shunem; Codex Vaticanus Sounan; Codex Alexandrinus Sounam): A town in the territory of Issachar named with Jezreel and Chesulloth (Joshua 19:18). Before the battle of Gilboa the Philistines pitched their camp here. They and the army of Saul, stationed on Gilboa, were in full view of each other (1 Samuel 28:4). It was the scene of the touching story recorded in 2 Kings 4:8-37, in which the prophet Elisha raises to life the son of his Shunammite benefactress. Eusebius (Onomasticon) describes it as a village called Sulem, 5 Roman miles South of Mt. Tabor. This points to the modern Solam, a village surrounded by cactus hedges and orchards on the lower southwestern slope of Jebel ed-Duchy ("Hill of Moreh"). It commands an uninterrupted view across the plain of Esdraelon to Mt. Carmel, which is about 15 miles distant. It also looks far across the valley of Jezreel to the slopes of Gilboa on the South. It therefore meets satisfactorily the conditions of Joshua and 1 Samuel. A question has, however, been raised as to its identity with the Shunem of 2 Kings 4. Elisha's home was in Samaria. Apparently Carmel was one of his favorite haunts. If he passed Shunem "continually" (2 Kings 4:9), going to and coming from the mountain, it involved a very long detour if this were the village visited. It would seem more natural to identify the Shunem of Elisha with the Sanim of Eusebius, Onomasticon, which is said to be in the territory of Sebaste (Samaria), in the region of Akrabatta: or perhaps with Salim, fully a mile North of Taanach, as nearer the line of travel between Samaria and Carmel.

There is, however, nothing to show that Elisha's visits to Shunem were paid on his journeys between Samaria and Carmel. It may have been his custom to visit certain cities on circuit, on business calling for his personal attention, e.g. in connection with the "schools of the prophets." Materials do not exist on which any certain conclusion can rest. Both Solam Salim are on the edge of the splendid grain fields of Esdraelon (2 Kings 4:18).

W. Ewing

7766. Shunem -- a city in Issachar
... 7765, 7766. Shunem. 7767 . a city in Issachar. Transliteration: Shunem
Phonetic Spelling: (shoo-name') Short Definition: Shunem. ...
/hebrew/7766.htm - 6k

7767. Shunammith -- female inhab. of Shunem
... of Shunem. Transliteration: Shunammith Phonetic Spelling: (shoo-nam-meeth') Short
Definition: Shunammite. Word Origin from Shunem Definition female inhab. ...
/hebrew/7767.htm - 6k

A Prophet of Peace
... Elisha to exert a powerful influence over the lives of many in Israel, is revealed
in the story of his friendly relations with a family dwelling at Shunem. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 19 a prophet of.htm

A Miracle Needing Effort
... This story of the great lady at Shunem, her joy over her only child and his piteous
death 'on her knees,' is one of the tenderest and sweetest pages in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a miracle needing effort.htm

Now Saul Upon God's not Answering Him Concerning the Fight with ...
... war against the Israelites, and sent to all their confederates that they would go
along with them to the war to Reggan, [near the city Shunem,] whence they ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 now saul upon.htm

The Shunammite's Boy.
... Now it happened that one day the prophet Elisha, sitting upon his ass, with his
rough cloak cast about him, came riding towards a little village named Shunem. ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the shunammites boy.htm

Infancy and Youth of Jesus --His First Impressions.
... places of the patriarchal age; the hills of Gilboa, the small, picturesque group
to which are attached the graceful or terrible recollections of Shunem and of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter ii infancy and youth.htm

The Early Years of Jesus
... places of the patriarchal period; the hills of Gilboa, the small picturesque group
to which is attached the graceful or terrible recollections of Shunem and of ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/v the early years of.htm

The Northern Coasts of Galilee. Amanah. The Mountain of Snow.
... And a little after; "R. Justa Bar Shunem said, When the Israelites that return"
(from their dispersion), "shall have arrived at the mountainous places of Amanah ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 66 the northern coasts.htm

When the Oil Flows
... This story, from which my text is taken, is one of that sort. One of the sons of
the prophets had died in Shunem. He left a widow and two little children. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/when the oil flows.htm

The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and ...
... On the left (in the west) rise the hills beyond which Nazareth lies embosomed; to
the right is Endor; southwards Shunem, and beyond it the Plain of Jezreel. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xx the raising of.htm

The Death of Two Brave Warriors
... of the land. Then the Philistines came and camped in Shunem, and Saul gathered
all the Israelites and camped in Gilboa. But when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the death of two brave.htm

Shunem (3 Occurrences)
... On the sudden death of this woman's son she hastened to Carmel, 20 miles distant
across the plain, to tell Elisha, and to bring him with her to Shunem. ...SHUNEM. ...
/s/shunem.htm - 10k

Chesulloth (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Fertile places; the loins, a town of Issachar, on the
slopes of some mountain between Jezreel and Shunem (Joshua 19:18). ...
/c/chesulloth.htm - 7k

Shunammite (8 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A person of Shunem (1 Kings 1:3; 2 Kings 4:12). The Syr.
and Arab. read "Sulamite.". Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHUNAMMITE. ...
/s/shunammite.htm - 10k

Jezreel (37 Occurrences)
... Issachar (Joshua 19:18). 1. Territory: It is named with Chesulloth and
Shunem (modern Iksal and Solam). It remained loyal to the ...
/j/jezreel.htm - 27k

Shu'nammite (8 Occurrences)
Shu'nammite. Shunammite, Shu'nammite. Shunem . ... And when she was come in unto
him, he said: 'Take up thy son.' (See RSV). Shunammite, Shu'nammite. Shunem...
/s/shu'nammite.htm - 8k

Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... from thirst (2 Kings 3:9-20); of the multiplying of the poor widow's cruse of oil
(4:1-7); the miracle of restoring to life the son of the woman of Shunem (4:18 ...
/e/elisha.htm - 61k

Kesulloth (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Kesulloth (1 Occurrence). Joshua 19:18 Their
border was to Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem, (See NIV). ...
/k/kesulloth.htm - 6k

Oft (18 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 4:8 It fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where there
was a prominent woman; and she persuaded him to eat bread. ...
/o/oft.htm - 11k

Jizreel (30 Occurrences)
... the valley of Jizreel. (DBY). Joshua 19:18 And their territory was toward
Jizreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem, (DBY). 1 Samuel 25:43 ...
/j/jizreel.htm - 15k

Gathereth (65 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 1 Samuel 28:4 And the Philistines are gathered, and come in, and encamp in
Shunem, and Saul gathereth all Israel, and they encamp in Gilboa, (YLT). ...
/g/gathereth.htm - 26k

Who was the Shulammite woman? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman? | GotQuestions.org

How many people were raised from the dead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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