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Elisha and the Shunammite
v. 8. And it fell on a day, just about that time, that Elisha passed to Shunem, a city in the northern part of the Plain of Jezreel, on the slope of the Little Hermon, where was a great woman, one of considerable local prominence; and she constrained him to eat bread, to partake of her hospitality. And so it was that as oft as he passed by, probably on his way to and from Mount Carmel, he turned in thither to eat bread.
v. 9. And she, after this had happened a number of times, said unto her husband, Behold, now, I perceive that this Is an holy man of God, not a fraud, a wandering false prophet, such as may have infested the roads, just as they do today, which passeth by us continually.
v. 10. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall, and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick; and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. What she suggested was a walled upper chamber, one built upon the fiat roof of the house, which could be reached by an outside stairway, with walls which would be a protection against every kind of weather.
v. 11. And it fell on a day, it happened at another time, that he came in thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there, resting from his long journey.
v. 12. And he said to Gehazi, his servant, of whom nothing else is known, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him, that is, Gehazi, who thereupon communicated to her the rest of Elisha's words.
v. 13. And he said unto him, before he went down, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care, she had shown them all possible careful consideration, the most painstaking hospitality; what is to be done for thee? What would she ask in return? Wouldest thou be spoken for to the king or to the captain of the host? Elisha had great influence with the most important men in the country and might easily have gotten favors for the woman. And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. She was well content with her position among the lowly and did not long for life at court.
v. 14. And he said, What, then, is to be done for her? In what way could he show his appreciation of the kindness shown? And Gehazi answered, making a conjecture which was based upon the general opinion in the nation, Ver ily, she hath no child, a fact which was considered a disgrace, if not a curse of God, in Israel, and her husband is old. Where seemed to be little hope for the Shunammite to enjoy the blessing of a child.
v. 15. And he said, desiring to communicate with her directly, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door, her modesty and respect not permitting her to advance into the room.
v. 16. And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, in the natural course of events, thou shalt embrace a son. And she, almost overwhelmed by the prospect which exceeded her fondest hopes, said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. She feared the disappointment following unfulfilled hopes.
v. 17. And the woman conceived and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life. In this way did the Lord reward the woman for her kindness to His servant. It is He who also today gives children, the fruit of the womb, to believing parents, as His reward, and they will appreciate them accordingly.