Summary
The story of The Shunammite Woman provides us with the results of one that show kindness to another. This woman lived in the town of Shunem, a village near Jezreel. She was a prominent woman with a husband. They lived in their own house, a home to which she not only opened her doors but requested her husband to build an additional room for a stranger. This Shunammite woman realized that Elisha was a man of God, so she prepared a room for him so that in his travels whenever he was in town he might have a place to rest his head from his travels. (See the flat roofs of houses at this time were used as extra living space, and often a small room would be built on the roof, which could be reached from outside. This accommodated a guest while providing privacy.)
She did this out of kindness and because she sensed a need, not for any selfish motives. Soon, however, her kindness would be rewarded far beyond her wildest dreams. Because of her acts of kindness, Elisha sought a way to repay her for the gratitude shown to him. Elisha offered to use his interest in her in the king’s court, which she declined. Noting that, “she dwells among her own people,” that is to say, “We are well off as we do not aim at preferment.”
Elisha inquired more about this woman and in his findings from his servant, Gehazi, he was informed she had no children. He called her and informed her that a year from the date she would conceive and hold her own child in her arms.
(I was told during my biblical studies in the Word of God, “try a prophet by his word.)”
Now being a true man of God, the prophet Elisha’s words rang true as the woman did give birth to a son, at the time of the season in which the prophet had spoken.
Sadly, everything does not always go as you would hope or plan. One day down the road, this same Shunammite woman will seek the prophet in the midst of distress, to ask a sincere question of him, “Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?” Her questions to Elisha are heartbreaking.
Take a moment and listen to the podcast and see how the prophet addresses this urgent question, or read 2 Kings 4:8-37 for the conclusion of the whole matter.
Blessings,
Elder Barbara
HSB|LAB|MHSB
The Church Within You! 