Pastor Chris Parker
“And 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.” (KJV)
This woman, often referred to as the “Shunammite woman,” is described as “great” not only in wealth but also in character. She recognized that Elisha was a holy man of God and generously offered him a place to rest and refresh himself whenever he was in her area. Her hospitality extended beyond providing food; later, she and her husband even built a small room for Elisha to stay in, showing their continued care and reverence for the prophet.
This story highlights the virtues of hospitality, generosity, and faith. The woman’s kindness to Elisha opened the door to blessings, as Elisha later prophesied that she would have a son, fulfilling a deep longing she had not even expressed openly. The narrative is a beautiful reminder of how acts of kindness and hospitality, especially to servants of God, can lead to unexpected blessings.