Lesson Twelve
“Great and Gracious”
Scripture Reference: 2 Kings 4:8:37; 8:1-6
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Introduction – Shunammite woman is all that is recorded (2 Kings 4:12). Her name is not given.
She was known as a great woman; a female of high rank and riches (2 Kings 4:8). There are many great women who are not named in the Bible. It is the same today. There are many great women who serve God and are not known by others. God knows and that is all that is important. She used wisdom to be a great and gracious woman.
A WOMAN OF HOSPITALITY:
This Shunammite woman could see people walking past her large house every day. One of the travelers was Elisha. This woman would ask Elisha to stop and eat with them. The woman understood that Elisha was a holy man of God (2 Kings 4:9), a prophet. She wanted to do something extra special for Elisha. Husband and wife decided to share their home by making a private room just for Elisha where he could rest from his weary travels (2 Kings 4:10). They furnished a nice room with a bed a table, a stool and a candlestick or lamp stand.
A WOMAN OF HUMILITY:
The prophet’s chamber was a great blessing to Elisha. He asked what he could do for this humble woman to show his appreciation. She was content and did not ask for any favors. Elisha had noticed there were no children in the home. Elisha promised she would have a son (2 Kings 4:14-17). Just as was promised a son was born. When he was just a child, he went to the fields with his father. The son became ill and was brought to his mother. The son died and the mother went to Elisha’s room and laid the boy on the bed. Elisha was not there at the time but at Mt. Carmel. The woman rode the donkey to find Elisha. When asked if all was well with her family, the woman replied, “It is well.” She had great faith in God that everything would be all right. Then woman told Elisha that the child was dead. Elisha asked his servant Gehazi, to go with the woman, but she insisted that Elisha come with her. The servant arrived first and he laid the staff across the body of the child, but nothing happened. When Elisha arrived, he went into the room, closed the door and prayed. Then Elisha hold the dead body close to his warm body and life returned to the woman’s son. The child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes (2 KIngs 4:32-36). When the mother saw her son alive again, she bowed before Elisha, took her son and went out (2 Kings 4:36-37).
A WOMAN OF HONOR:
Years passed and Elisha advised the woman to go to the land of the Philistines for seven years, because a famine was coming. (Her husband was not mentioned, so he may have already died). After the famine. the woman and her son came back home. She appeared before the king and asked for her house and land to be given back to her. The king asked Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, to tell about Elisha’s work. The servant told about raising the child from the dead, and that this was the woman. The king was impressed and ordered that not only the house and land be restored to the woman, but also all the money gained from the land while she was gone. The woman and son were very grateful! She was honored by the king.
A Thought to Remember – This woman’s life is an example of victorious living. Even in the times of troubles and sorrow, she could say, “It is well.” We need to learn to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). Trust Him in times of trouble as this wise woman.
Lesson to Learn – This wise woman served God without attention or praise from others. Do the best you can, at all times. You also should have a nice home with hospitality. Many churches name a guest room “Prophet’s chamber.” This woman built the first motel for traveling missionaries.
Do your best at all times because God sees what you do. God keeps a record!