Elisha And The Shunammite woman

II Kings 4:18–37
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God’s concern for women and their special needs can be seen in both the preceding and this incident. In contrast to the poor widow in the previous story, we find Elisha and the Shunammite woman (Near Jezrel and about 15 miles from Mount Carmel). It appears that she had great influence, wealth and hospitality (v 8). Elisha evidently stopped at her house regularly so she and her husband decided to build a profit’s chamber on to their house for him to use whenever he traveled by (vv. 9-10).

In return for their kindness Elisha wanted to do something special (vv. 11-13). Later he learned that her one great desire in life was to have a son, he told her that in about a year she would have a son (vv. 14-16). She did bear a son as God had promised (v. 17). However, one morning while the son was still young and with his father in the fields, he was struck with a violent headache (vv. 18-19). Apparently it was a sun stroke, and he was carried  to his mother and died (vv. 20-21).

Her thoughts turned immediately to Elisha and she prepared to seek his help. He was only a few miles away at Mount Carmel so she rode her donkey to find him (vv. 22-24). Elisha spotted her coming. When she came to him, she fell at his feet indicating extreme humility, need, and desperation (vv. 25-28). When Elisha learned that her son was dead, he sent Gehazi, his servant, to lay his staff on the child ( vv. 29-31). Gehazi followed Elisha’s instruction but nothing happened. When Elisha learned this, he went himself and lay across the boy’s body praying he would be restored (vv. 32-37). In a few minutes the child sneezed and was returned to his mother alive.

Application

Elisha’s prayer and method of raising the boy from the dead showed his personal care for hurting people. I need to express genuine concern for others as I carry God’s message to them.