The term "The Prominent Woman" refers to a notable figure in the Old Testament, specifically found in the narrative of 2 Kings 4:8-37. This woman, often referred to as the Shunammite woman, is recognized for her faith, hospitality, and interaction with the prophet Elisha.

Biblical Account

The Shunammite woman is introduced in 2 Kings 4:8-10: "One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat. Then she said to her husband, 'Behold, now I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then whenever he comes to us, he can stay there.'"

Her recognition of Elisha as a "holy man of God" and her subsequent actions demonstrate her spiritual insight and generosity. She and her husband provide a place of rest for Elisha, showing their respect and support for God's prophet.

Promise of a Son

In gratitude for her hospitality, Elisha desires to bless her. Despite her initial reluctance to express any personal desires, Elisha, through his servant Gehazi, learns that she has no son and her husband is old. Elisha prophesies that she will embrace a son by the following year. As recorded in 2 Kings 4:16-17, "And Elisha said, 'At this time next year you will hold a son in your arms.' 'No, my lord,' she objected. 'Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.' But the woman conceived and gave birth to a son at that same time the next year, just as Elisha had told her."

The Son's Death and Restoration

Tragedy strikes when the child, having grown, suddenly falls ill and dies. The Shunammite woman's response is marked by faith and determination. She lays the child on Elisha's bed and sets out to find the prophet, bypassing any attempts to delay her journey. Upon reaching Elisha, she expresses her distress, and Elisha returns with her to Shunem.

In 2 Kings 4:32-35, Elisha's actions are described: "When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. Elisha turned away and paced back and forth across the room. Then he got on the bed and stretched out over him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes."

The miraculous restoration of her son underscores the power of God working through His prophet and the faith of the Shunammite woman.

Further Interaction with Elisha

The Shunammite woman appears again in 2 Kings 8:1-6, where Elisha warns her of a coming famine, advising her to leave the land temporarily. She obeys and later returns to appeal to the king for the restoration of her property. Her case is presented just as Gehazi is recounting Elisha's miracles to the king, leading to the king's favorable response and the restoration of her land.

Character and Legacy

The Shunammite woman is a model of faith, hospitality, and perseverance. Her interactions with Elisha highlight her discernment and trust in God's promises. Her account is a testament to the blessings that come from honoring God's servants and the power of faith in the face of adversity. Her legacy is preserved in Scripture as an example of a woman whose life was marked by divine intervention and miraculous restoration.