- Oct 2, 2011
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There was a Shunammite woman [S1] known for her hospitality towards the prophet Elisha, providing him a place to stay whenever he passed through her town. He prophesied to her that she would have a son in 2 Kings 4:
The father focused on his work. He didn't think it was serious.18 When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. 19 And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.”
S1 was unusually calm about her son's death. She seemed to think that Elisha could help and placed the body in the spare room designated for Elisha. She had faith.20 And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. 21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out.
She did not even tell her husband about the death of their son and reassured him that all was well. Again, she exercised faith.22 Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.” 23 And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.”
She was not naive about this. She knew it was serious.24 Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.
She didn't tell Gehazi about the death. She was efficient about this. She went straight to the responsible person, Elisha.When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite. 26Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.”
She was humble before Elisha.27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet.
God wanted Elisha to hear it from S1 first.And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”
Now, Elisha knew about the death.28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’”
S1 insisted on Elisha.29 He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” 30Then the mother of the child said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her.
Gehazi did not awaken the boy.31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.”
S1 was an extraordinarily focused woman with an amazing faith—and we don't even know her name32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. 33So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the LORD. 34Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. 35Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” 37She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.