What is the meaning of the shunammite woman?
by Tamar Kadari. The Shunammite woman is celebrated by the Rabbis for her generosity and righteousness. The story of her hospitality towards Elisha portrays these traits, but the midrash also celebrates her for cautiousness, as shown by the narrative of her son.
What lesson do we learn from the shunammite woman?
Cheer on and support those doing God's work. By referring to Elisha as “a holy man of God,” the Shunammite woman revealed her esteem for God Himself and also for the prophet God uniquely called to ministry. Her ministry, she decided, would be to support this man God had called.
Why did the shunammite woman say it is well?
A couple of people asked her as she travelled if everything was okay and her incredible reply was, “It is well”. Her only son had just died; how could she say things were well? She could say it because she had hope in her heart that God would move in her experience and make it well. Elisha came and prayed over her son.
What is known about the woman of Shunem?
The great woman of Shunem, although unnamed and rarely spoken to directly by Elisha, is shown as the head of her household and the unintimidated initiator in her relationship with the ninth-century B.C.E. prophet Elisha.
What is the main message of the woman at the well?
The story of the Samaritan woman, also known as the woman at the well, draws our attention to the central themes of the Gospel. By approaching her, Jesus demonstrates His care for all, regardless of their social standing. We can also be inspired by the Samaritan woman's excitement in sharing the good news of Jesus.
What is the moral of the story of the woman at the well?
When the woman believed, she immediately ran off to tell others. The filling not only filled her longing, but it gave her a new desire to use the energy to go out and live her purpose. To share the gospel, to become disciples. The woman at the well is an example of love, truth, redemption, and acceptance.
What is the real name of the shunammite woman?
BinaThe main character, Bina, is The Shunammite woman.
What is the difference between shulamite and Shunammite?
Background. She is most likely called the Shulammite because she came from an unidentified place called Shulem. Many scholars consider Shulammite to be synonymous with Shunammite (“person from Shunem”). Shunem was a village in the territory of Issachar, north of Jezreel and south of Mount Gilboa.
Is Habakkuk the shunammite woman's son?
Although his name does not appear in any other part of the Jewish Bible, Rabbinic tradition holds Habakkuk to be the Shunammite woman's son, who was restored to life by Elisha in 2 Kings 4:16.
What does the word Shunem mean?
two resting placesShunem, shu'-nem (Heb.)-- two resting places; double supports; doubly reposed; two tranquil dwellings. A border city of Issachar (Josh. 19:18), where the Philistines encamped against Israel (I Sam. 28:4).
How did the woman of shunem provide for Elisha?
Hospitality. According to 2 Kings 4, she showed hospitality to the prophet Elisha, constructing a room where he could stay whenever he was in the town. She is childless, but Elisha prophesies that she will have a son.
What happens to Shunammite in the Testaments?
Unlike Agnes and Becka, Shunammite parrots every belief that Gilead teaches her and looks forward to marriage. After Agnes escapes the prospect of marrying Commander Judd, Shunammite happily marries him instead.
Who was the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4?
The main character, Bina, is The Shunammite woman. She is well-developed and very believable. The miracle story central to the novel comes from the Old Testament and it is one I had never known of before.
How did the woman of shunem provide for Elisha?
Hospitality. According to 2 Kings 4, she showed hospitality to the prophet Elisha, constructing a room where he could stay whenever he was in the town. She is childless, but Elisha prophesies that she will have a son.
What is the difference between shulamite and Shunammite?
Background. She is most likely called the Shulammite because she came from an unidentified place called Shulem. Many scholars consider Shulammite to be synonymous with Shunammite (“person from Shunem”). Shunem was a village in the territory of Issachar, north of Jezreel and south of Mount Gilboa.
Who is the shulammite woman in the Bible?
The Shulammite (from Hebrew shulammit, “woman of Jerusalem”) is the central figure in the Song of Solomon (also called Song of Songs or Canticles) and one of the most positive representations of young womanhood in the Hebrew Bible.
Why did Elisha tell the Shunammite woman to relocate?
Upon returning, she finds herself before the king making a request for her previous home and land , when it is revealed to the king that Elisha once restored her dead son to life. 2 Kings 8:6 says “And when the king asked the woman, she told him.”
What game of deference did the Shunammite woman play?
The Shunammite woman understood the game of deference we play when something generous is offered to us. Instead of being swayed by Elisha’s hesitancy to accept her gift, she graciously insisted he take it.
What does Elisha mean by "a holy man of God"?
3. Cheer on and support those doing God’s work. By referring to Elisha as “a holy man of God,” the Shunammite woman revealed her esteem for God Himself and also for the prophet God uniquely called to ministry. Her ministry, she decided, would be to support this man God had called.
What is the name of the town where Elisha lived?
We only know her, though, by the name of the town where she lived: Shunem. You may remember the Shunammite woman as the one who offered a room in her home to the prophet Elisha. Her story, found in 2 Kings 4 and 8, is a beautiful example of the Christ-like character qualities we can all cultivate. 1. Share generously.
What did Elisha say to her servant?
When Elisha wanted to return the favor of her hospitality, he promised her a child. Through her response “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.” (v.16) we come to understand that she had been childless and still longed for motherhood while bearing the pain of her infertility.
Why was Elisha unaware of her barrenness?
The fact that Elisha was unaware of her barrenness, revealed that her personal suffering had not stifled her willingness to serve others. In her personal pain, she resisted turning inward, focusing only on herself. Instead she turned outward and toward others in sacrificial service.
What did Jesus offer to his disciples on the night of his betrayal?
On the night He would be betrayed, Jesus offered hospitality to his disciples, he encouraged them in their ministry, served them in the face of great suffering, offered thanks to God, and eventually gave something more generous than any of them could ever repay: His very life for their own.
The Shulammite Woman
Her character: Hers is the only female voice that speaks directly and extensively to us in Scripture. Ruth's, Esther's, Hannah's, and Mary's voices, for instance, are all mediated through narration.
Her Story
She was young, beautiful, and desirable. He was handsome, strong, and agile, a shepherd or a king who lavished strange praise upon his beloved: He compared the Shulamite woman's hair to a flock of goats running down a mountain slope, her nose to the tower of Lebanon, and her teeth ("each with its twin"!) to sheep that have just bathed.
Her Promise
God doesn't promise the Song of Songs kind of erotic, intimate, earthly love to everyone. He blesses many marriages with it, but it is not something everyone enjoys. However, he does promise to love his people with the same depth of love described here. That includes you.
How far did Jake and the servant cover?
The servant obeyed, and they covered the distance, roughly twenty miles, in record time. The preacher saw her coming from a distance, as she was kicking up quite a bit of dust, and he sent Jake out to greet her and to find out if all was well.
How could this woman say "It is well" when her young child lay dead?
How could this woman say “It is well” when her young child lay dead? Notice at first she said, “It shall be well,” and a few hours later she said, “It is well.” Unlike Gehazi, this woman had faith. She trusted God. In spite of the fact that her emotions soared, clearly her faith grew. Perhaps she believed that her child would live again, and perhaps she knew that he was safe in the presence of the Redeemer. One thing is certain, that whether you live or die, if you live in Christ or die in Christ, all is well.
Who wrote the hymn "It is well with my soul"?
It was this same peace that enabled Horatio G. Spafford to pen the words to the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” when his four daughters were lost at sea, and his wife was saved alone.
What happened to Elisha when the Shunammite grabbed her feet?
As the Shunammite grabbed Elisha’s feet, he recognized her distress and realized God had hidden the cause from him. He instructed his servant to race to Shunem, but the woman refused to return without Elisha. Despite the servant’s efforts, the boy still lay dead on Elisha’s bed when the prophet arrived.
Why did the Shunammite become Elisha's patron?
After several visits, the woman suggested to her husband they renovate their house to include a furnished room for the “holy man.”. In providing for Elisha’s needs , the Shunammite became his patron.
How many times did Elisha sneeze?
Despite the servant’s efforts, the boy still lay dead on Elisha’s bed when the prophet arrived. After prayer and performing something like CPR, the boy sneezed seven times. Once again, God had worked through Elisha, this time to restore the promised son to life.
What was the purpose of the woman in the Shunammite?
Barrenness was a stain on the Shunammite’s honor since in the ancient world, a woman’s primary purpose was to bear children.
Who became Elisha's patron?
In providing for Elisha’s needs, the Shunammite became his patron. Elisha, of course, wanted to reciprocate. He offered to speak to the king on her behalf, to become a broker in the system of patronage. But the woman explained she needed nothing. When Elisha persisted, his servant noted the woman was childless.
Did the Shunammite woman have a son?
Though the Shunammite woman had no thought of reward when she made room for God, he fulfilled her heart’s desire. He gave her a son. God’s gifts always accompany his presence. Nevertheless, the Shunammite wasn’t immune to the heartache of our broken world. When tragedy struck, she maintained her faith and focus.
Does the Shunammite woman say the child is dead?
Interestingly, the Shunammite woman never states that the child is dead. … She is frightened that if she says that he is dead, that indeed will be the case. On the other hand, if she vaguely alludes to his condition, there is always room for hope.
Why did Solomon ask Adonijah to marry Abishag?
She relayed the request, but Solomon saw through Adonijah’s plot. To marry a former king’s wife was to lay claim to the throne, and, since Abishag was considered one of David’s concubines (even though they had never been intimate), Adonijah’s request to marry her was full of intrigue.
Was Abishag a virgin?
Abishag, who was a “very beautiful” virgin ( 1 Kings 1:40 ), was brought to live at the palace. There she saw to King David’s needs and warmed him with her body at night. The Bible states there was no sexual relationship between the two of them; it was a matter of a caregiver attending her charge ( 1 Kings 1:4 ), although it was assumed that Abishag would become a de facto member of David’s harem—a concubine or secondary wife.
Who did Adonijah ask to marry?
Unfortunately, Adonijah did not stop scheming for long, and he had his eye on Abishag. When David passed away and Solomon began his rule, Adonijah approached Bathsheba and requested that she go before King Solomon and ask him to give him Abishag as a wife ( 1 Kings 2:13–17 ).
Who was the son of David?
David’s son Solomon had been chosen to take the throne, but another of David’s sons, Adonijah, styled himself as king instead ( 1 Kings 1:5 ). He was older than Solomon and had plenty of followers, so Adonijah posed a real threat to Solomon ’s succession.
