◄ 2 Kings 4:22 ►
And the woman called her husband and said, "Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may go quickly to the man of God and return."
Study Bible
And she called her husband
The Hebrew word for "called" is קָרָא (qara), which implies a sense of urgency and purpose. This reflects the Shunammite woman's immediate response to the crisis at hand. Her action underscores the importance of communication and partnership in marriage, especially during times of distress. In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the role of the wife as a helpmate, actively engaging with her husband in matters of family and faith.

and said
The act of speaking, אָמַר (amar) in Hebrew, is significant in biblical narratives. It denotes not just the conveyance of information but also the expression of faith and intention. The Shunammite woman's words are deliberate and purposeful, reflecting her faith-driven initiative to seek divine intervention through the prophet Elisha.

Please send me
The word "please" is translated from the Hebrew נָא (na), which is a polite entreaty. This reflects the woman's respectful approach to her husband, even in urgency. It demonstrates the biblical principle of respect within marriage, where requests are made with humility and consideration.

one of the servants
In the ancient Near Eastern context, servants were integral to household operations. The mention of a servant indicates the Shunammite woman's social status and resources. It also highlights her practical approach to solving the problem, utilizing available resources to facilitate her journey to the man of God.

and one of the donkeys
Donkeys were common means of transportation in biblical times, known for their endurance and reliability. The request for a donkey signifies the woman's determination and readiness to undertake a journey, regardless of the challenges. It symbolizes the believer's readiness to pursue God's presence and guidance, no matter the obstacles.

so I can hurry
The phrase "hurry" conveys urgency and determination. The Hebrew root חוּשׁ (chush) implies a swift and decisive action. This reflects the woman's faith and urgency in seeking divine intervention, emphasizing the importance of promptness in spiritual matters.

to the man of God
The term "man of God" refers to the prophet Elisha, a title denoting divine authority and connection. In the Old Testament, prophets were seen as intermediaries between God and His people. The Shunammite woman's desire to reach Elisha underscores her faith in God's power and her belief in the prophet's role as a conduit of divine help.

and return
The intention to "return" indicates her faith that the journey will be successful and that she will come back with a resolution to her crisis. It reflects a hopeful expectation, rooted in faith, that God will act through His prophet. This highlights the Christian belief in God's faithfulness and the assurance of His intervention in times of need.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Shunammite Woman
A notable woman from Shunem who showed great faith and hospitality. She is central to the account, demonstrating trust in God's power through the prophet Elisha.

2. Her Husband
The Shunammite woman's husband, who is asked to provide a servant and a donkey for her urgent journey. His role highlights the cultural and familial dynamics of the time.

3. Elisha
The man of God referred to in the verse. Elisha is a prophet who performs miracles and serves as a conduit of God's power and presence.

4. Servant and Donkey
These are the means by which the Shunammite woman intends to travel quickly to Elisha, indicating her urgency and determination.

5. Shunem
A town in the territory of Issachar, where the Shunammite woman and her family reside. It serves as the starting point of her journey to seek Elisha.
Teaching Points
Faith in Action
The Shunammite woman's immediate response to seek Elisha demonstrates her active faith. Believers are encouraged to act promptly and decisively when seeking God's intervention.

The Role of Spiritual Leaders
Elisha's role as a man of God underscores the importance of spiritual guidance and mentorship in the Christian life. Believers should seek wise counsel from godly leaders.

Urgency in Spiritual Matters
The woman's urgency in reaching Elisha reflects the importance of prioritizing spiritual needs and addressing them without delay.

Family Dynamics and Faith
The interaction between the Shunammite woman and her husband highlights the importance of communication and cooperation in pursuing spiritual goals within a family.

Trust in God's Power
The account encourages believers to trust in God's power to work through His chosen instruments, whether they be prophets, pastors, or other spiritual leaders.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the Shunammite woman's response to her situation demonstrate her faith, and how can we apply this in our own lives when facing challenges?

2. In what ways does the account of the Shunammite woman and Elisha parallel other biblical accounts of faith and divine intervention?

3. What can we learn from the Shunammite woman's interaction with her husband about the role of family support in spiritual pursuits?

4. How does the urgency shown by the Shunammite woman in seeking Elisha challenge us to prioritize our spiritual needs and seek God's guidance promptly?

5. How can we identify and seek out "men of God" or spiritual leaders in our own lives to help us grow in faith and navigate difficult situations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 17
The account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath parallels the account of Elisha and the Shunammite woman, highlighting themes of faith and divine intervention.

Hebrews 11
This chapter discusses faith, providing a broader context for understanding the Shunammite woman's actions as an example of living faith.

James 5:16-18
The power of prayer and righteous living is emphasized, connecting to the Shunammite woman's reliance on the man of God for divine help.
Sermons
Great TrialsD. Thomas 2 Kings 4:18-31
A Day in a Mother's LifeWilliam Forsyth, A. M.2 Kings 4:18-37
Concerning Accidents2 Kings 4:18-37
Death and RestorationC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 4:18-37
The Empty HomeF. S. Webster, M. A.2 Kings 4:18-37
The Lady of Shunem: 2. the Son Taken and RestoredJ. Orr 2 Kings 4:18-37
People
Elisha, Gehazi
Places
Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, Shunem
Topics
Asses, Calleth, Donkey, Donkeys, Husband, Please, Quickly, Return, Run, Servants
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 4:16-22

     5720   mothers, examples

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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