THE SHUNAMMITE MOM
2 Kings 4:8-37
Elisha the prophet traveled throughout Israel and many of the neighboring kingdoms. We think of the Biblical prophets as only preaching in Judah and Israel, but they also preached God’s Word throughout the whole region. During his travels, it seems he would pass thru Shunem often as it was on the way from Mt. Carmel where he most often was. In our story today, we are going to meet a good woman. She is a Shunammite woman meaning she lives in Shunem. As we study the passage today, I hope to point out some of the qualities that make up the character of this good wife and mother.
2 Kings 4:8 Now there came a day when Elisha passed over to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman, and she persuaded him to eat food. And so it was, as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat food.
(1) She has the gift of hospitality. She sees a tired and weary Elisha pass thru often and begs him to take a rest and eat something. Always ready to bake some biscuits and brew some coffee. Over time, he made it a regular stop.
MY MOM- could whip up something in the kitchen at any moment and have you drinking coffee if you stopped by at 10 p.m.
(2) She served God by serving others.
2 Kings 4:9-10 9 She said to her husband, “Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually. 10 Please, let us make a little walled upper chamber and let us set a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he can turn in there.”
Over time, she talks with her husband and asks him about fixing up a room for Elisha to take a nap or even sleep overnight.
(3) She was very generous. She took Elisha’s welfare on as her own ministry.
(4) She was submissive to her husband. It was what she thought they ought to do, but she asked him about doing it. It’s very important for husbands and wives to “be together” in the decisions they make instead of each person doing their own thing.
2 Kings 4:11-13 11 One day he came there and turned in to the upper chamber and rested. 12 Then he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” And when he had called her, she stood before him. 13 He said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Behold, you have been careful for us with all this care; what can I do for you? Would you be spoken for to the king or to the captain of the army?’”
She has been so good to Elisha, that he wants to do something in return for her.
He offered to speak to the king or the captain on her behalf if there was anything at all that she needed.
2 Kings 4:13b And she answered, “I live among my own people.”
(5) She was content. She wasn’t looking to be paid for her hospitality.
She said “no, I live among my own people.” In other words, I have everything I want or need. I don’t need a bigger house, clothes, jewelry, etc.
2 Kings 4:14-17 14 So he said, “What then is to be done for her?” And Gehazi answered, “Truly she has no son and her husband is old.” 15 He said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16 Then he said, “At this season next year you will embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God, do not lie to your maidservant.” 17 The woman conceived and bore a son at that season the next year, as Elisha had said to her.
Elisha wasn’t content to leave it alone. He asked his servant what they could do for her. Gehazi said, “She doesn’t have a son. You know, every woman wants a child and they’re getting pretty old.”
* Elisha drops a bomb on her. Interestingly, he didn’t ask her if she wanted a child, but just told her that within a year, she’ll have one.
* May your Tribe Increase” illustration. Years ago a revival preacher came and was preaching passionately. He was struggling because his mouth was getting dry. A 30 yr old man brought him some water. The preacher looked at him and said "Thank you. May your tribe increase!" The man's wife yelled to him "He's blessed us enough already!"
Well, the Shunammite was incredulous. From her response, it was obvious that she wanted a child.
(5) She loved her child. Her child wasn’t an inconvenience. He was wanted. He was loved.
THE CRISIS
2 Kings 4:18-20 18 When the child was grown, the day came that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19 He said to his father, “My head, my head.” And he said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her lap until noon, and then died.
My Mom had 4 children, all of them fearless and often wreckless.
Mike- the least injured child- had 3 broken arms. (Had only 2 arms, though.... hmmmm)
My sisters- great athletes. Both played linebacker on the basketball team. They were aggressive and rough. Broke leg and a few knee surgeries between them.
Me?- I was the most wreckless of the 4. I was in the ER so often that Mom expected Child Welfare to take me away. Turns out they wouldn’t because they said they couldn’t afford the medical bills.
** What does a good woman do in a crisis? She goes to the Lord!
(6) She is a woman of great faith! How does that faith play out?
2 Kings 4:21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door behind him and went out.
Notice she laid him on the Elisha’s bed, not her own. I think this is important. She believes in God and Elisha is the prophet of God.
2 Kings 4:22-25 22 Then she called to her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and return.” 23 He said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor sabbath.” And she said, “It will be well.” 24 Then she saddled a donkey and said to her servant, “Drive and go forward; do not slow down the pace for me unless I tell you.”
25 So she went and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel.
She hitched up her fastest racing donkeys and told the servant to “step on it” and their heads snapped back and went from 0 to 60 in.... well...it was pretty fast for a donkey.
** Reminds me of my Mom’s response when I got my 6 yr old skull cracked open and was bleeding everywhere. She runs out and grabs me up to race me to the ER once again, only this time she forgot to take the car. She’s running down the street with me bleeding all over her and some neighbors catch her about a block away and take us to the ER.
** The Shunammite seeks the Lord’s help!
2 Kings 4:27-28 27 When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to push her away; but the man of God said, “Let her alone, for her soul is troubled within her; and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 28 Then she said, “Did I ask for a son from my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”
She comes up to Elisha and throws herself at his feet.
She is broken-hearted but she still has hope for a miracle in her heart.
She was not giving up on her son.
* She is pressing on thru the darkness of doubt for her miracle!
So, Elisha sends Gehazi to hurry on ahead and he and the woman follow. Gehazi comes back with bad news, but she remains strong in her faith and they continue on.
2 Kings 4:32-37 32 When Elisha came into the house, behold the lad was dead and laid on his bed. 33 So he entered and shut the door behind them both and prayed to the Lord. 34 And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth and his eyes on his eyes and his hands on his hands, and he stretched himself on him; and the flesh of the child became warm. 35 Then he returned and walked in the house once back and forth, and went up and stretched himself on him; and the lad sneezed seven times and the lad opened his eyes.
Elisha went in and prayed for God’s miraculous healing for the child. The child’s been dead for half a day now, but God restores his life to him.
36 He called Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, “Take up your son.” 37 Then she went in and fell at his feet and bowed herself to the ground, and she took up her son and went out.
(7) She worships the Lord God Almighty.
Notice how she responds to God’s miracle.
She hits the floor and bows to the Lord in praise and worship.
* How many times do we find ourselves in the middle of a crisis and we beg for a miracle. We cry out for God’s deliverance. Then, After God comes through with our “just in time” miracle, do we go on with our life like nothing at all happened.
* When God comes thru for you, it’s time for you to hit your knees with your hands in the air and give Him the glory He deserves.
* This Shunammite woman was a good woman and great mother.
She loved the Lord.
She loved her husband and son.
She served the Lord by serving others.
Ladies, if you want to know how to be a good wife and mother, this Shunammite woman is a good example to follow.
Be blessed!
