When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, "Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me." When she reached the man of God at the mountainThe phrase "man of God" refers to Elisha, a prophet who served as a conduit for God's power and message. The Hebrew term for "man of God" (אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים, ish ha'elohim) signifies a person who is divinely chosen and empowered. The "mountain" symbolizes a place of divine encounter and revelation, often seen in biblical narratives as a setting for significant spiritual events. This setting underscores the gravity of the woman's mission and her faith in seeking divine intervention. she clung to his feet
Clinging to someone's feet in ancient Near Eastern culture was a gesture of deep humility and supplication. It indicates the woman's desperation and earnestness in seeking help from Elisha. This act of humility is reminiscent of other biblical accounts where individuals seek mercy or favor, emphasizing the importance of approaching God and His representatives with a humble heart. Gehazi came over to push her away
Gehazi, Elisha's servant, attempts to intervene, possibly misunderstanding the woman's intentions or the appropriateness of her actions. This reflects a common theme in Scripture where human understanding and actions can sometimes obstruct divine purposes. Gehazi's reaction contrasts with Elisha's discernment and compassion, highlighting the need for spiritual sensitivity and awareness. but the man of God said, 'Leave her alone
Elisha's command to "Leave her alone" demonstrates his authority and insight as a prophet. It reflects his understanding of the woman's genuine need and the importance of allowing her to express her distress. This moment teaches the value of compassion and the necessity of allowing others to approach God with their burdens without hindrance. for her soul is in deep distress
The phrase "deep distress" (מָרַת נֶפֶשׁ, marat nephesh) conveys intense emotional turmoil and anguish. It indicates that the woman's suffering is profound, affecting her very being. This acknowledgment by Elisha shows his empathy and the importance of recognizing and validating the struggles of others, a principle that resonates with the Christian call to bear one another's burdens. and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me
Elisha's admission that "the LORD has hidden it from me" reveals the limitations of even a prophet's knowledge. It underscores the sovereignty of God in revealing or concealing information according to His purposes. This statement serves as a reminder of the mystery of God's ways and the necessity of trusting Him, even when His plans are not fully understood. It also highlights the humility required in ministry, acknowledging that ultimate wisdom and understanding belong to God alone. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Shunammite WomanA woman of Shunem who showed great faith and hospitality to Elisha, the prophet. Her son had died, and she sought Elisha for help. 2. ElishaThe prophet of God, known for performing miracles and being a conduit of God's power and wisdom. He is the "man of God" referred to in this passage. 3. GehaziElisha's servant, who often accompanied him. In this passage, he attempts to push the Shunammite woman away from Elisha. 4. Mount CarmelThe location where the Shunammite woman finds Elisha. It is a significant place in biblical history, often associated with divine encounters. 5. The LORDThe God of Israel, who is central to the account, as He is the one who ultimately holds the knowledge and power over life and death. Teaching Points Faith in ActionThe Shunammite woman's journey to Elisha demonstrates active faith. In times of distress, we should actively seek God and His guidance. Compassionate LeadershipElisha's response to Gehazi shows the importance of compassion and understanding in leadership. Leaders should be sensitive to the needs and emotions of those they serve. God's Sovereignty and MysteryElisha acknowledges that the LORD has hidden the woman's distress from him. This teaches us that God’s ways and timing are often beyond our understanding, and we must trust Him. Persistence in PrayerThe Shunammite woman's refusal to leave Elisha until her need is addressed highlights the importance of persistence in prayer and seeking God's intervention. Community SupportGehazi's initial reaction contrasts with Elisha's response, reminding us of the need for a supportive community that uplifts rather than dismisses those in distress. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Shunammite woman's approach to Elisha reflect her faith and understanding of God's power? 2. In what ways can we demonstrate compassion and understanding like Elisha when others come to us in distress? 3. How does the account of the Shunammite woman encourage us to persist in prayer, even when the outcome is uncertain? 4. What can we learn from Elisha's acknowledgment that God had hidden the woman's distress from him about trusting God's sovereignty? 5. How can we create a community that supports and uplifts those who are in deep distress, rather than pushing them away like Gehazi initially did? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 1The account of Hannah, who also clung to God in her distress, seeking a child. Both women demonstrate deep faith and persistence in prayer. Luke 8:43-48The account of the woman with the issue of blood who clung to Jesus' garment, showing faith and desperation similar to the Shunammite woman. Psalm 34:18This verse speaks of the LORD being close to the brokenhearted, which aligns with Elisha's recognition of the Shunammite woman's distress. People Elisha, GehaziPlaces Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, ShunemTopics Alone, Bitter, Caught, Declared, Distress, Drew, Gehazi, Geha'zi, Hands, Hid, Hidden, Hill, Hold, Kept, Layeth, Leave, Mountain, Nigh, Purpose, Push, Pushing, Round, Secret, Sorrowful, Soul, Thrust, Troubled, Vexed, WithinDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 4:27 5799 bitterness
8300 love, and the world 2 Kings 4:25-31 5178 running 2 Kings 4:27-28 8027 faith, testing of 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 4:27 NIV2 Kings 4:27 NLT2 Kings 4:27 ESV2 Kings 4:27 NASB2 Kings 4:27 KJV
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