Please run out now to meet her and ask, 'Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?'" And she answered, "Everything is all right." Please run out now to meet herThis phrase indicates urgency and concern. Elisha, the prophet, is instructing his servant Gehazi to quickly approach the Shunammite woman. The urgency reflects the importance of hospitality and care in ancient Near Eastern culture, where visitors and those in distress were to be attended to promptly. This also shows Elisha's sensitivity to the needs of others, a characteristic of a true servant of God. and ask, ‘Are you all right?
The question "Are you all right?" is a direct inquiry into the woman's well-being. In the Hebrew context, this question is about her "shalom," which encompasses peace, health, and overall welfare. This reflects the biblical principle of caring for others' holistic well-being, as seen in Philippians 2:4, which encourages looking out for the interests of others. Is your husband all right?
The mention of the husband highlights the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where the husband was often seen as the head of the household. This question also shows the importance of family unity and the well-being of each family member, a theme echoed in Ephesians 5:25-33, which discusses the roles and responsibilities within a Christian marriage. Is your child all right?’”
The child in question is the miraculous son given to the Shunammite woman by God through Elisha's prophecy (2 Kings 4:16-17). This question underscores the value placed on children in biblical times, as they were seen as a blessing from God (Psalm 127:3). The inquiry into the child's well-being also foreshadows the unfolding miracle, as the child had died, and the woman's faith in seeking Elisha is pivotal. And she answered, “Everything is all right.”
The woman's response, "Everything is all right," is a statement of faith and composure. Despite her son's death, she chooses to speak words of faith, reflecting a deep trust in God's power and the prophet's ability to intercede. This mirrors the faith seen in Hebrews 11:1, which defines faith as confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Her response can also be seen as a type of Christ, who, in the face of adversity, remained steadfast and trusting in God's plan. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. He performed many miracles and was a key figure in the spiritual life of Israel. 2. Shunammite WomanA notable woman from Shunem who showed great hospitality to Elisha and was blessed with a son through his prophecy. 3. GehaziElisha's servant, who was sent to inquire about the well-being of the Shunammite woman and her family. 4. ShunemA town in the territory of Issachar, where the Shunammite woman lived. It was a place of significance due to the woman's faith and hospitality. 5. The ChildThe son of the Shunammite woman, who was miraculously given to her by God through Elisha's prophecy and later raised from the dead by Elisha. Teaching Points Faith in ActionThe Shunammite woman's response, "Everything is all right," demonstrates a profound faith and trust in God's sovereignty, even in dire circumstances. Hospitality and BlessingHer initial hospitality to Elisha opened the door for God's blessing in her life, reminding us of the importance of serving others. Seeking Godly CounselHer immediate action to seek Elisha in her time of need highlights the importance of seeking godly counsel and support. Peace Amidst TrialsHer calm demeanor reflects the peace that comes from trusting God, encouraging believers to find peace in Him during trials. God's Miraculous PowerThe account underscores God's ability to perform miracles and intervene in seemingly hopeless situations. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Shunammite woman's response to Gehazi reflect her faith in God, and how can we apply this kind of faith in our own lives? 2. In what ways does the account of the Shunammite woman parallel the account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, and what does this teach us about God's provision? 3. How can we practice hospitality in our daily lives, and what are some potential blessings that can come from it? 4. What steps can we take to seek godly counsel when facing difficult situations, and why is this important? 5. How can we cultivate a sense of peace and trust in God during trials, as demonstrated by the Shunammite woman? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 17The account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, which parallels the theme of God's provision and miraculous intervention in the lives of those who show faith and hospitality. Philippians 4:6-7The peace of God that surpasses all understanding, which can be related to the Shunammite woman's calm response despite her distress. Hebrews 11:35The faith of women who received their dead back to life, connecting to the Shunammite woman's experience. People Elisha, GehaziPlaces Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, ShunemTopics Child, Husband, Lad, Meet, Meeting, Peace, Please, Quickly, RunDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 4:25-31 5178 running 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 4:26 NIV2 Kings 4:26 NLT2 Kings 4:26 ESV2 Kings 4:26 NASB2 Kings 4:26 KJV
2 Kings 4:26 Commentaries
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