◄ 2 Kings 4:9 ►
Then the woman said to her husband, "Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God.
Study Bible
She said to her husband
This phrase introduces us to the Shunammite woman, a figure of discernment and hospitality. In the Hebrew context, the role of a wife was significant in managing household affairs and offering counsel. Her approach to her husband reflects a partnership and mutual respect, which is a model for Christian marriages today. The Hebrew word for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) implies a thoughtful and deliberate communication, suggesting that her observation was not made lightly but with careful consideration.

Behold, now I know
The word "behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) is an invitation to pay attention, often used in Scripture to highlight something of importance. The phrase "now I know" indicates a revelation or realization. This suggests that the Shunammite woman had been observing Elisha for some time, and through his consistent behavior, she discerned his true nature. This speaks to the importance of living a life that consistently reflects one's faith, as others are always observing.

that this man
The term "this man" refers to Elisha, the prophet. In the historical context, prophets were seen as messengers of God, and their presence was both revered and feared. The Shunammite woman's recognition of Elisha as a man of God highlights her spiritual insight and the respect she had for those who served the Lord.

who often comes our way
This phrase indicates that Elisha frequently passed by their home, suggesting a regular route or mission. The Hebrew culture placed great emphasis on hospitality, especially towards travelers. The Shunammite woman's awareness of Elisha's frequent visits shows her attentiveness and willingness to serve, embodying the Biblical principle of hospitality as seen in Hebrews 13:2, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

is a holy man of God
The designation "holy man of God" is significant. "Holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh) means set apart, sacred, or consecrated. This indicates that Elisha was not just any man, but one dedicated to God's service. The phrase "man of God" is a title used throughout the Old Testament to describe prophets and leaders who were divinely appointed. The Shunammite woman's recognition of Elisha's holiness underscores her spiritual perception and respect for God's work through His chosen servants.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Shunammite Woman
A prominent and hospitable woman from Shunem who recognizes Elisha as a man of God and offers him hospitality.

2. Elisha
A prophet of God who regularly passes through Shunem and is recognized by the Shunammite woman for his holiness.

3. The Shunammite's Husband
The man to whom the Shunammite woman speaks, suggesting they provide a place for Elisha to stay.

4. Shunem
A town in the territory of Issachar, where the Shunammite woman and her husband live.

5. The Event of Recognition
The moment when the Shunammite woman discerns Elisha's holiness and decides to act on it by offering him hospitality.
Teaching Points
Discernment of God's Servants
The Shunammite woman's recognition of Elisha as a holy man of God teaches us the importance of spiritual discernment. We should seek to recognize and support those who are genuinely serving God.

The Ministry of Hospitality
Her actions remind us of the Christian call to hospitality. By opening our homes and resources to God's servants, we participate in their ministry and share in their blessings.

Faith in Action
The Shunammite woman not only recognized Elisha's holiness but also took practical steps to support him. Our faith should lead to tangible actions that reflect our beliefs.

Partnership in Ministry
By providing for Elisha, the Shunammite woman and her husband became partners in his prophetic ministry. We are called to partner with those who spread the Gospel through our support and encouragement.

The Blessing of Recognition
Recognizing and honoring God's work in others can lead to unexpected blessings, as seen later in the account of the Shunammite woman and Elisha.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we develop the discernment to recognize true servants of God in our lives today?

2. In what ways can we practice hospitality in our current context, and how does this reflect our faith?

3. What are some practical steps we can take to support those who are in ministry or serving God in various capacities?

4. How does the account of the Shunammite woman and Elisha encourage us to act on our faith rather than just holding beliefs?

5. Can you think of a time when recognizing and supporting someone in their ministry led to blessings in your life or theirs? How does this account inspire you to continue or start doing so?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 17:9-24
The account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, which parallels the theme of hospitality and recognition of a prophet.

Hebrews 13:2
Encourages believers to show hospitality, as some have entertained angels without knowing it, highlighting the importance of welcoming God's messengers.

Matthew 10:41
Jesus speaks about receiving a prophet in the name of a prophet and receiving a prophet's reward, emphasizing the blessing of recognizing and supporting God's servants.
Sermons
A Great WomanMarianne Farningham.2 Kings 4:8-17
A Great WomanT. De Witt Talmage, D. D.2 Kings 4:8-17
HospitalityHomilist2 Kings 4:8-17
HospitalityD. Thomas 2 Kings 4:8-17
Kindness RequitedC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 4:8-17
The Lady of Shunem: 1. a Son GivenJ. Orr 2 Kings 4:8-17
People
Elisha, Gehazi
Places
Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, Shunem
Topics
Behold, Continually, Holy, Husband, Often, Passes, Passeth, Passing, Perceive
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 4:9

     8228   discernment, examples

2 Kings 4:8-9

     8281   insight

2 Kings 4:8-10

     5339   home
     8319   perception, spiritual

Library
When the Oil Flows
'And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.'--2 KINGS iv. 6. The series of miracles ascribed to Elisha are very unlike most of the wonderful works of even the Old Testament, and still more unlike those of the New. For about a great many of them there seems to have been no special purpose, either doctrinal or otherwise, but simply the relief of trivial and transient distresses. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Miracle Needing Effort
'So she went, and came unto the man of God to 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: 26. Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband! is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. 27. 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, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Infant Salvation
Now, let every mother and father here present know assuredly that it is well with the child, if God hath taken it away from you in its infant days. You never heard its declaration of faith--it was not capable of such a thing--it was not baptized into the Lord Jesus Christ, not buried with him in baptism; it was not capable of giving that "answer of a good conscience towards God;" nevertheless, you may rest assured that it is well with the child, well in a higher and a better sense than it is well …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

That the Grace of Devotion is Acquired by Humility and Self-Denial
The Voice of the Beloved Thou oughtest to seek earnestly the grace of devotion, to ask it fervently, to wait for it patiently and faithfully, to receive it gratefully, to preserve it humbly, to work with it diligently, and to leave to God the time and manner of heavenly visitation until it come. Chiefly oughtest thou to humble thyself when thou feelest inwardly little or no devotion, yet not to be too much cast down, nor to grieve out of measure. God ofttimes giveth in one short moment what He …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Extracts No. Ix.
[As the objector here begins to give up his ground, his letters from this place will be given nearly entire. He commences this number as follows, viz.] "Dear sir and brother--Your reply to my seventh number has been received, and hereby duly acknowledged. I have just given it a second reading, with peculiar care and attention; and I must add, generally speaking, with peculiar satisfaction too; for as it has tended in some degree to revive my almost extinguished faith in divine revelation, so it …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation

Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him." If we consider the sketch, given us in scripture, of the life of this patriarch, we shall find that few have had equal manifestations of the divine favor. But the light did not at all times shine on him. He had his dark hours while dwelling in this strange land. Here we find an horror of great darkness to have fallen upon him. The language used to describe his state, on this occasion, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Soul.
Man as we behold him is not all there is of man. He is a wonderful being. He stands in the highest order of God's creation. He Is A Compound. Man was created a physical and spiritual organism. He possesses an animal and a spiritual life. Thus he is connected with two worlds. The physical creation is termed the "outward man," and the spiritual, the "inward man." "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." 2 Cor. 4:16. "For we know …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
WE Are now come to the letter of Mr. W's Jewish Rabby, whom Mr. W. calls his friend, and says his letter consists of calm and sedate reasoning, p. 55. I on the other hand can see no reason in it. But the reader than not need to rely upon my judgment. Therefore I will transcribe some parts of it, and then make some remarks. The argument of the letter is, that the story of Lazarus's being raised is an imposture; or else the Jews could not have been so wicked, as to be on that account provoked against …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

Supplementary Note to Chapter ii. The Year of Christ's Birth.
The Christian era commences on the 1st of January of the year 754 of the city of Rome. That our Lord was born about the time stated in the text may appear from the following considerations-- The visit of the wise men to Bethlehem must have taken place a very few days after the birth of Jesus, and before His presentation in the temple. Bethlehem was not the stated residence of Joseph and Mary, either before or after the birth of the child (Luke i. 26, ii. 4, 39; Matt. ii. 2). They were obliged to …
William Dool Killen—The Ancient Church

Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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