Elijah the Shunammite Woman 2 Kings 4 8

Elijah & the Shunammite Woman 2 Kings 4: 8 -37

1. Death – happens to all people • Heb. 9: 27 – great appointment all keep • Carl Jung – “Death is a period placed before the end of the sentence. ” • “Death is a cruel thing when it strikes the young. ” • Rev. 1: 8 – when Jesus rose from the dead, he snatched the keys of Hades and Death from Satan

2. A Place to Call Home – 4: 8 -10 • God’s prophets often relied on the hospitality of others • Jesus – no true Earthly home. • Elisha – took over for Elijah • 4: 8 – in Shunem, met a great, noble woman • 9 – realized Elisha & Gehazi passed by freq. • 10 – built a room on the side of the house

3. Repaying Kindness – 4: 12 - 17 • 12 – Gehazi instructed to call the woman • 13 – what can he do to repay kindness? • 14 – reluctant to give an answer • 15 – told to call the woman to his room • 16 – Elisha’s unbelievable words • Similar to Abraham, Gen. 18: 10 -14 • 17 – God kept His Word!

4. Greatest of Sorrows – 4: 18 -37 • 18 – Child has grown • 19 – his head was hurting • Still young – had to be carried to mother • 20 – sat in his mother’s lap until he died • 21 – took him and laid in Elisha’s bed • 22 – calls her husband to send for a servant to take her to Elisha

4. Greatest of Sorrows – 4: 18 -37 • 23 – husband wonders what the special occasion is • Answer: NKJV “It is well” • Why not mention the son? • Jews buried their dead the same day • Might not be ready to give him up • She obviously believed the man who gave them a son could do something

4. Greatest of Sorrows – 4: 18 -37 • 24 – gets on the donkey; told to go until she says stop • 25 – Eisha sees her and knows something is wrong • 26 – servant told to ask if all is well with her, husband, son. Answer: “All is well” • 27 – she falls at Elisha’s feet, Gehazi tries to push her away, Elisha tells him stop

4. Greatest of Sorrows – 4: 18 -37 • 28 – woman is better – blames Elisha • Similar to Elijah & Sidonian woman, 1 Kings 17 • 29 – Elisha’s response: not condemn her, send Gehazi ahead with staff • 30 – woman not going to leave Elisha • 31 – staff did nothing, heartbreaking • 32 – boy still on Elisha’s bed • 33 – shut the door, prayed to God

4. Greatest of Sorrows – 4: 18 -37 • 34 – literally lays on top of the boy • Similar to Sidonian woman except here he covers eyes/mouth/hands with his • Body is warm • 35 – Elisha gets up, probably praying as leaves • Boy sneezes seven times; suggests all toxins out • Spirits cannot sneeze

4. Greatest of Sorrows – 4: 18 -37 • 36 – told to get the son • Fell down and bowed before leaving • Shunamite woman shows up in Ch. 8 also

Lessons Learned 1. The great faith of the woman is on display. Do we have faith like her? 2. She was obviously wealthy and used her wealth to bless others. Do we use our means to help others and further the Gospel? 3. Blessings from God for service rendered may not always be seen in this world but they are always noticed by God (Mt. 10: 42, cup of H 20)

Next Scheduled Study: Thursday 6: 30 pm – Matthew 19 with Bill Boyd and Justin Reed Sunday 11 am Online and in the building Wood Church of Christ, Woodbury

Sermon © 2017 Justin D. Reed Presentation © 2020 Justin D. Reed Provided free through Justin Reed’s Bible Resources Post Office Box 292, Woodbury TN 37190 thejustinreedshow. com/bibleresources “To God be the Glory!”