Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there." Please let us makeThis phrase reflects the Shunammite woman's initiative and hospitality. The Hebrew root for "make" is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which means to do, fashion, or accomplish. This action signifies her willingness to serve and provide for the prophet Elisha, demonstrating a heart of service and generosity. In a broader biblical context, this mirrors the call for believers to be proactive in serving others, as seen in the New Testament teachings of hospitality and love. a small room upstairs
The "small room" indicates a modest yet dedicated space for Elisha. The Hebrew word for "room" is "עֲלִיָּה" (aliyah), often referring to an upper chamber or loft. Historically, such rooms were common in ancient Israelite homes, used for guests or special purposes. This reflects the Shunammite's respect and honor for Elisha, providing him with privacy and comfort. Spiritually, it symbolizes making room in our lives for God's presence and work. and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp
Each item mentioned serves a practical purpose, ensuring Elisha's comfort and ability to rest and study. The "bed" (מִטָּה, mittah) signifies rest, the "table" (שֻׁלְחָן, shulchan) represents provision, the "chair" (כִּסֵּא, kisse) denotes authority or a place of sitting, and the "lamp" (מְנוֹרָה, menorah) symbolizes light and guidance. Together, these items reflect a holistic approach to hospitality, meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This can inspire believers to consider how they can provide for others in comprehensive ways. for him
This phrase emphasizes the personal nature of the Shunammite's actions. Her hospitality is directed specifically towards Elisha, recognizing his role as a man of God. It highlights the importance of intentionality in our acts of service, focusing on the needs of individuals rather than generic acts of kindness. This personal touch is a reminder of how Jesus ministered to individuals, seeing and addressing their unique needs. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us
The provision of a place for Elisha to stay "whenever he comes" shows the Shunammite's ongoing commitment to support his ministry. The Hebrew word for "stay" (סוּר, sur) can also mean to turn aside or lodge, indicating a place of refuge and rest. This reflects the biblical principle of providing for those who labor in ministry, as seen in the New Testament encouragement to support those who preach and teach the Word. It serves as an inspiration for believers to be consistent and faithful in their support of God's work and His servants. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. Known for performing miracles and being a conduit of God's power and message. 2. Shunammite WomanA wealthy and hospitable woman from Shunem who recognized Elisha as a holy man of God and offered him hospitality. 3. ShunemA town in the territory of Issachar, where the Shunammite woman lived. It became a place of refuge and rest for Elisha. 4. The Upper RoomA specially prepared room for Elisha, symbolizing hospitality and reverence for God's servants. 5. Hospitality EventThe act of the Shunammite woman and her husband preparing a room for Elisha, demonstrating their respect and support for his ministry. Teaching Points The Importance of HospitalityThe Shunammite woman's actions teach us the value of hospitality, especially towards those who serve God. It is a practical expression of love and support for God's work. Recognizing God's ServantsThe Shunammite woman discerned Elisha's role as a man of God. We should be attentive and supportive of those who are dedicated to God's service. Preparation and ProvisionThe preparation of the room with essential items (bed, table, chair, lamp) signifies thoughtful provision. We should consider how we can thoughtfully support and provide for others in ministry. Blessings of GenerosityThe Shunammite woman's generosity led to blessings in her life. Generosity often opens the door to God's blessings in unexpected ways. Creating Space for GodJust as the Shunammite woman created a physical space for Elisha, we should create space in our lives for God and His work, prioritizing spiritual growth and service. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Shunammite woman's hospitality reflect the biblical principle of loving your neighbor as yourself? 2. In what ways can we create "upper rooms" in our lives today to support those in ministry? 3. How does the account of the Shunammite woman challenge us to recognize and honor God's servants in our communities? 4. What are some practical ways we can show hospitality to others, and how might this impact our spiritual lives? 5. How does the concept of receiving a prophet's reward (Matthew 10:41) apply to the Shunammite woman's account, and what can we learn from it about the blessings of generosity? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 18Abraham's hospitality to the three visitors, which resulted in a blessing, parallels the Shunammite woman's hospitality to Elisha. Hebrews 13:2Encourages believers to show hospitality, as some have entertained angels without knowing it, reflecting the Shunammite woman's actions. Matthew 10:41Jesus speaks about receiving a prophet in the name of a prophet and receiving a prophet's reward, which connects to the Shunammite woman's reward for her hospitality. People Elisha, GehaziPlaces Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, ShunemTopics Able, Aside, Bed, Candlestick, Chair, Chamber, Lamp, Lampstand, Please, Roof, Room, Seat, Stand, Stay, Stool, Table, Thither, Turn, Upper, Wall, Walled, Walls, WheneverDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 4:10 4847 smallness
5229 bed
5340 house
5373 lamp and lampstand
5445 potters and pottery
5506 roof
5573 table 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 ScriptureA 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 Links 2 Kings 4:10 NIV2 Kings 4:10 NLT2 Kings 4:10 ESV2 Kings 4:10 NASB2 Kings 4:10 KJV
2 Kings 4:10 Commentaries
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