Holy Bible Online This is a Bible story about faith and miracles. Its main characters are Elisha, a servant of God, and a generous Shunammite woman (it means a lady from the town of Shunem) who loved God and had a hospitable heart. The story tells how this woman’s life was transformed by a prophecy from Elisha and highlights the miraculous power of God.
Lessons We Can Learn from Elisha and the Shunammite Woman:
- The Shunammite woman’s persevering faith teaches us not to give up in times of loss.
- God honors those who serve Him with sincerity and generosity.
- Even when everything seems lost, God can still act with restoring power.
- Intimacy with God helps us recognize and welcome what is truly from Him—just as the Shunammite recognized Elisha.
We find the story in 2 Kings 4:8–37. Elisha often visited the town of Shunem, and the Shunammite woman (the Bible does not mention her name) wanted to host him in her home. She recognized Elisha as a servant of God and spoke to her husband. Together, they decided to welcome Elisha into their home. They had no children, and when Elisha learned that the woman was barren, he prophesied that she would have a son.
The prophecy came true, and they had a baby boy. But years later, the child suddenly died. In her anguish, the woman sought out Elisha, who—through divine intervention—restored the child’s life. This story highlights both the miraculous power of God and His great mercy.
The Shunammite woman was a woman of high social standing in her town, Shunem. She loved God and was sensitive to His presence. That’s why she recognized Elisha as a holy man of God. Her house was spacious, and she spoke with her husband about building a room on the roof for Elisha. Whenever he was in the area, he would stay with them in the room they had prepared.
Elisha wanted to do something kind for them in return for their hospitality. He asked the woman if she needed anything, but she only replied that she lived securely among her people. So Elisha asked his servant Gehazi if he knew of any need they had. Gehazi told him that they had no children, and Elisha told the woman that by the same time the following year, she would be holding a son.
And so it happened, just as Elisha had prophesied. The child was born and grew up. But one day, he had a severe headache and died. Instead of mourning in despair, the woman rushed to find Elisha, the man of God. When she found him, she was deeply distressed. She told Elisha about her dead son and pleaded with him to come with her to her home. She believed that Elisha could ask God to bring her son back.
Elisha went with her to the house. They found the child lying dead on the bed. What did Elisha do?
He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.
Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite.” And he did. When she came, he said, “Take your son.” She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out.
- 2 Kings 4:33–37
The boy came back to life! God worked through Elisha, and the Shunammite woman was able to hold her son once again.
Explanation of the Shunammite’s Son’s Death and Resurrection
The story of the Shunammite woman is a powerful testimony of faith, hospitality, perseverance, and miracles.
At the beginning, the Shunammite woman didn’t know Elisha personally but recognized him as a man of God. Her generous hospitality reflected spiritual sensitivity and a willingness to serve without expecting anything in return. While hospitality was a cultural value, in this story, it becomes a true act of living faith.
Elisha, moved by her kindness, wanted to reward her. When he learned that she was childless and her husband was old, he prophesied the birth of a son. Her initial response suggests she had already let go of that dream—possibly due to age or disappointment. Yet God surprised her with a promise that seemed impossible.
When the child died, the woman didn’t give in to despair. She acted with boldness and faith: she laid her son on the prophet’s bed, shut the door, and immediately went to find Elisha. She didn’t even tell her husband what had happened. This showed her unshakable trust that only God, through His prophet, could intervene.
Elisha, upon seeing her grief, interceded for her. The way he prayed and persevered until the boy came back to life shows that the miracle wasn’t instant—it required faith, effort, and full dependence on God. This resurrection is one of the clearest demonstrations of divine power in Elisha’s ministry.
Was the Shunammite Woman a Widow?
The Bible clearly states that she was married and that her husband was alive at the time. In 2 Kings 4:9, she speaks directly to her husband when deciding to build a room for Elisha. Later, her son goes to the field to see his father. When the child gets sick, she again speaks with her husband to request permission to go see the prophet.
Gehazi also asks if all is well with her, her husband, and her son—further proof that her husband was still living.
Although he is described as old, this does not mean he was deceased. The biblical account shows clear interaction between the couple, including decision-making and dialogue. Thus, she was not a widow, but a devout, spiritually discerning, and married woman.
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