The Shunamite Woman In Biblical Narrative
The Shunamite woman is a figure in the biblical narrative, specifically in 2 Kings 4:8-37, where she is portrayed as a hospitable and pious woman who provides for the prophet Elisha. The term "Shunammite" refers to a native of Shunem, a city in the tribe of Issachar [1, 4].
The biblical account describes the Shunammite woman as a "great woman" who shows kindness to Elisha by providing him with food and shelter [6]. In return, Elisha prophesies that she will have a son, despite her advanced age. The narrative highlights the woman's faith and her role as a supporter of God's prophet.
The Shunammite woman is often associated with Abishag, the Shunammite who served as King David's nurse [5]. Some traditions, such as the Jewish tradition recorded in the Babylonian Talmud, identify Abishag as the sister of the Shunammite woman [6, 7]. However, this identification is not universally accepted among commentators.
The Shunammite woman's story is significant in the biblical narrative because it demonstrates God's power and provision. The narrative also highlights the importance of hospitality and kindness towards God's prophets. According to Matthew Henry, the Shunammite woman's kindness to Elisha is rewarded with the gift of a son, illustrating the principle that God blesses those who show kindness to his servants [10].
The Shunammite woman's character is also notable for her faith and her proactive approach to seeking God's intervention. When her son falls ill and dies, she seeks out Elisha and persists in her request for his help, demonstrating her trust in God's power [2, 3].
The story of the Shunammite woman has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. Some commentators, such as John Gill, emphasize her piety and benevolence, while others, like Adam Clarke, note the significance of her actions in the context of the biblical narrative [6, 8, 9].
The narrative surrounding the Shunammite woman remains a significant part of biblical interpretation, highlighting themes of hospitality, faith, and God's provision.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Shulamite, The — one of the personages in the poem of Solomon's (Song of Solomon 6:13) The name denotes a woman belonging to a place called Shulem, which is probably the same as Shunem. [[1130]Shunem] If, then, Shulamite and Shunammite are equivalent, we may conjecture that the Shunammite who was the object of Solomon's passion was Abishag, the most lovely girl of her day, and at the time of David's death the most prominent person at Jerusalem.”
- 2 Kings “So she went, and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her afar off, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Behold, there is the Shunammite. -- 2 Kings 4:25”
- II Kings “II Kings 4:25 (BSB) — So she set out and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, there is the Shunammite woman.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Shunammite — A person of Shunem (1 Kings 1:3; 2 Kings 4:12). The Syr. and Arab. read "Sulamite."”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Shunammite, The — i.e. the native of Shunem, is applied to two persons: Abishag, the nurse of King David, (1 Kings 1:3,15; 2:17,21,22) and the nameless hostess of Elisha. (2 Kings 4:12,25; 36)”
- 2 Kings (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Kings 4:8: Elisha passed to Shunem - This city was in the tribe of Issachar, to the south of the brook Kishon, and at the foot of Mount Tabor. Where was a great woman - In Pirkey Rab. Eliezer, this woman is said to have been the sister of Abishag, the Shunammite, well known in the history of David. Instead of great woman, the Chaldee has, a woman fearing sin; the Arabic, a woman eminent for piety before God. This made her truly great.”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 22a.12: GEMARA: Rav Ya’akov says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Abishag the Shunammite was permitted to Solomon but forbidden to Adonijah, who in fact wanted to marry her. She was permitted to Solomon, as he was a king, and a king may use the scepter of a king. Abishag’s status was similar to the king’s scepter, as she had been designated to serve King David. She was forbidden to Adonijah, as he was an ordinary person, not a king.”
- 1 Kings (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Kings 1:3: So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel,.... Not only a damsel, but a beautiful one, that she might be the more acceptable to the king; who otherwise, if deformed and ugly, would not have endured her in his sight, or received at her hands, and much less suffered her to lie in his bosom: and found Abishag a Shunammite; a native of the city Shunem, a city in the tribe of Issachar, Jos 19:18; and brought her to the king; for his approbation of her, and to make her his concubine wife, as he did.”
- 2 Kings (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Kings 4:8: And it fell on a day,.... Or so it was at a certain time: that Elisha passed to Shunem; a city in the tribe of Issachar; of which see Jos 19:18, where was a great woman; of great wealth and riches, of great benevolence and hospitality, and of great grace and piety; that feared sin, as the Targum paraphrases it; a woman of great credit and reputation on all accounts. The Jews say (u) she was the sister of Abishag the Shunammite, and the mother of Iddo the prophet: and she constrained him to eat bread; she had observed him at all times pass that way, and guessed b”
- 2 Kings (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Kings 4:8: The giving of a son to such as were old, and had been long childless, was an ancient instance of the divine power and favour, in the case of Abraham, and Isaac, and Manoah, and Elkanah; we find it here among the wonders wrought by Elisha. This was wrought in recompence for the kind entertainment which a good woman gave him, as the promise of a son was given to Abraham when he entertained angels. Observe here, I. The kindness of the Shunammite woman to Elisha. Things are bad enough in Israel, yet not so bad but that God's prophet finds friends, wherever he goes. Sh”