Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son
This lesson helps us understand the love of the LORD God. The Shunammite woman provided a room for Elisha to stay. The LORD God rewarded her kindness by giving her a son. The son dies and the LORD God raises him through Elisha.
2 Kings 4:8–37
One day Elisha was passing through Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to have a meal. So whenever he passed that way, he would stop there for a meal. The woman conceived and bore a son at that season, in due time, as Elisha had declared to her as a reward for her kindness to him.
When the child was older, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. He complained to his father, Oh, my head, my head! The father said to his servant, Carry him to his mother.
And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.
And she called unto her husband, and said, send me, I pray you, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.
Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; Urge the animal on; do not hold back for me unless I tell you. So she set out, and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.
And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: Run now, I pray you, to meet her, and say unto her, is it well with you? Is it well with thy husband? Is it well with the child? And she answered, it is well.
And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD has hid it from me, and has not told me.
Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, do not mislead me?” He said to Gehazi, Gird up your loins, and take my staff in your hand, and go. If you meet anyone, give no greeting, and if anyone greets you, do not answer; and lay my staff on the face of the child.
And the mother of the child said, As the LORD lives, and as thy soul lives, I will not leave you. And he arose, and followed her. And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, the child is not awaked.
And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in, and shut the door upon them both, and prayed unto the LORD.
And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child grew warm.
Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
And he called Gehazi, and said, call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, take up your son, and went out.
What Can This Story Teach Us?
The Shunammite woman had faith in the LORD God and knew that she needed to get to Elisha for help. The woman called to her husband in the field and asked him to send her a servant with a donkey. She told him that she wanted to go to Elisha.
We must always remember the LORD God loves us. He tells us that He loves us in His Word. He has shown us His great love for us by allowing His Son to die for all of our sins. There is no greater love than this.
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15: 12-13).
That showing kindness is something we as believer and followers of Jesus should do. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10).
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Feb 2015.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2256,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, February) “Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2256,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son:” Becker Bible Studies Library (February), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2256, (accessed).
