2 Kings 4:8-178And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 9And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 10Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. 11And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. 12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. 13And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. 14And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. 15And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. 16And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. 17And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life. (2 Kings 4:8‑17)
One day as Elisha was walking across the land of Israel he passed by a house where a kind woman lived, who asked him to stop and have some food. Each time afterward that he passed that way she gave him a meal.
We are not told the name of this woman, but the place where she lived was not far from Mt. Carmel where both Elijah and Elisha often went. It was a very beautiful part of the land, with much grain and fruit and flowers, for it was watered by the mist from the great sea. And this family had plenty, but were not selfish, and were sorry for the traveler who was weary going over the hills and stony roads.
No doubt Elisha spoke to this family of the Lord, for one day the lady told her husband that she knew he was a man of God, and she wanted to furnish a little room where he could stay whenever he came by.
In those warm countries a room was often made on the flat roof or wall, with an outside stairway, where it is cool in the evening and easy to get to. Perhaps it was such a room that was made ready for Elisha.
Notice what was placed in the room: a bed, a stool, and a table with a candlestick. Why should Elisha need a table and candle? Perhaps he had a copy of a part of the Scriptures to read, and needed to be spread out, for they did not have books like ours but rolls, written carefully by hand. Also Elisha may have needed a place to write God’s Words for the king or others, as Elijah had for a king at Judah (2 Citron. 2:12)
Anyway, the woman planned the room with care, and when Elisha, with a man who helped him, came and stopped there, he was very pleased. He sent to ask her if there was something to be done for her. He knew the king and captain of the army, and said he would ask a favor of them for her. But she said she lived in peace and had no need. Later she greatly needed help from the king, and received it by Elisha’s goodness to her.
But a much greater blessing came for this woman and her husband; a little sort was born to them, and must, have made them very happy as they had no child bore. There is a story about this little boy, which you will like to hear next time, if the Lord wills.
Many persons since, who have prized God’s Words, have done for the comfort of those who speak for Him. All cannot fit a special room as this “great woman”, instead some mothers may need to ask their boys or girls to give up a room for such a one, but this story shows that the Lord knows and blesses in return better than any could ask.
ML 05/21/1939