The Shunammite Woman Blessed with a Son

II Kings 4:8-17

And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

Shunem is a small village located in the tribe of Issachar and it means two resting places. Shunem was between Carmel and Gilgal and Elisha frequently traveled between these two places. One day Elisha passed by Shunem where a rich woman lived and she constrained him to eat bread at her place. This is similar to Abraham entertaining angels by providing water, bread and meat to them (Genesis 18:1-15). The great men and women of God like Abraham, Lot, Lydia and the Shunammite chose to entertain strangers and unknowingly entertained angels, prophets and disciples of Jesus. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” In doing so they received blessings so mighty that they would otherwise not have obtained. Elisha, as often as he passed by Shunem had bread at the Shunammite’s place. Elisha did not hesitate to stop by the woman’s place and eat some bread as she welcomed him well. She did not stop at just providing bread for Elisha.

She spoke to her husband of her desire to make a small chamber for Elisha so he could lodge in there and get some rest when he passed by Shunem. Proverbs 31:11 says, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” Here we find a virtuous woman trusted by her husband. She just did not do whatever pleased her but she consulted her husband because she knew that it was the right thing to do. Her husband trusted her because she proved her trustworthiness to him. She perceived that Elisha is a holy man of God. God has given us a sound mind and when we seek wisdom from Him, He surely will provide it for us and this wisdom can help perceive what is according to God and what is not. Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” With God given wisdom, this woman was able to perceive that Elisha is a holy man of God who frequently passed by Shunem on his divine trips. She said, “Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.” She knew very well that Elisha was a simple man with godly sincerity (II Corinthians 1:12) and therefore sought to provide the simple comforts to him. She wanted to provide a bed to rest on, a table, a stool and a candlestick using which Elisha can study divine scriptures and meditate on the commandments and statutes of the Lord. When Elisha came by the next time, he was greatly pleased by this provision. Elisha was highly contented by this act of generosity that he desired to do something in return. When we enjoy the pleasant deeds of people, let us also choose to show our gratitude to them in simple ways possible.

Elisha summoned Gehazi, his servant so that he could call the Shunammite. She immediately responded and stood before the man of God. Elisha asked her what he could do for her because she has shown all this great care to him. He asked if she desires a favor from Elisha that needed him to speak to king or captain of the host. Her answer reflected that she was happy dwelling among her own people and was satisfied with her living. When the Shunammite left, Elisha further questioned his servant as to what could be done for her. He is trying to understand if Gehazi is aware of any need that the woman might be having. Gehazi instantly answered that she has no child and that her husband was old.

Although Shunammite badly needed a child, she did not mention it to Elisha because she had given up her hope. She sought the Kingdom of God and minded the things of God as it says in Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Elisha called her yet again and she came and stood at the door. She standing at the door signifies her reverence to the man of God. Elisha said that about this season, according to the time of life she shall embrace a son. She cared for the divine things and is about to be added with something she held so dear to her heart for such a long time. Yes, we should seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all the things shall be added unto us. The Shunammite responded saying “Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.” She could not believe that she would be having a son either because of her husband’s age or her lack of strength. This is similar to Sarah’s response when the angels said to Abraham (Genesis 18:12) “I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son”. Sarah laughed within herself because Abraham and Sarah were old. Genesis 18:14 says, “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?” Nothing is too hard for the Lord. What seems impossible for us is possible for the Lord by the Word of mouth. Surely enough, the Shunammite was blessed with a son as per Elisha’s words. This miracle for Shunammite woman is similar to the miracles in the lives of Abraham and Sarah (Isaac), Hannah and Elkanah (Samuel) and Manoah and his wife (Samson).

If you have a dire need today and you are struggling to find God’s purpose in your life with this bad need, just turn to the Lord and submit your request and simply keep seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness, He will add unto you your desire. Do not lose hope or fret, simply hang on to His promises and believe that He will give you the desire of your heart. It might seem impossible based on circumstances but remember, the God you trust is a God of impossibilities. The Shunammite gave up all her hope and did not believe when Elisha gave her this word from God. Do not lose hope like the Shunammite, but simply believe. But mind the things that the Shunammite cared for, in providing for the man of God and be a virtuous woman like her and be respectful to your husband like she was. God visited the Shunammite through Elisha; God visited Abraham and Sarah through the angels; God visited Hannah and Elkanah at the House of prayer; God visited Manoah and his wife through an angel; God will visit you today like He did in the former days and He will grant you your heart’s desire in His time and in His way! Lord God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; simply acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Be blessed, oh child of God!

Tomorrow: The Death of the Shunammite’s Son