The Shunammite Mom Series

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.