Elisha and the Shunammite Woman
Faith, Hospitality, and the Miracle of a Restored Son
Where to find this story in the Bible
The story of Elisha and the Shunammite Woman is found in 2 Kings 4:8-37 of the King James Bible (2 Kings).
Books: 2 Kings
Historical & Cultural Context
The Shunammite woman was a wealthy, prominent woman from Shunem (in the Jezreel Valley) who provided regular hospitality to the prophet Elisha — even building a dedicated room for him. She was childless and her husband was old. Elisha prophesied she would have a son, and she did. Years later, the child died suddenly (possibly from sunstroke: 'My head, my head!' he cried). Elisha's servant Gehazi went ahead with the prophet's staff but could not revive the child. Elisha himself came, lay upon the child, and raised him from the dead.
Key Characters
Key Verses
2 Kings 4:16
"And 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."Read in context
2 Kings 4:30
"And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her."Read in context
2 Kings 4:36
"And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son."Read in context
A Woman of Hospitality
In the town of Shunem lived a wealthy and discerning woman who noticed the prophet Elisha passing through regularly. She urged him to eat at her table, and whenever he traveled that way, he stopped for a meal. Recognizing him as a holy man of God, she persuaded her husband to build a small upper room furnished with a bed, table, stool, and candlestick so Elisha could stay whenever he visited.
The Promise of a Son
Grateful for her kindness, Elisha asked through his servant Gehazi what he could do for her. Gehazi noted that she had no son and her husband was old. Elisha summoned her and said, 'About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son.' The woman could hardly believe it — 'Do not lie unto thine handmaid,' she pleaded. But the word of the prophet came true, and she bore a son.
Tragedy Strikes
Years later, the boy went out to his father among the reapers. Suddenly he cried out, 'My head, my head!' He was carried to his mother, and she held him on her lap until noon — when he died. The grieving mother did not cry out in despair. Instead, she laid the child on Elisha's bed, shut the door, and immediately set out to find the prophet at Mount Carmel.
The Resurrection of the Child
When the Shunammite found Elisha, she fell at his feet in anguish. Elisha sent Gehazi ahead with his staff to lay upon the child's face, but there was no response. When Elisha arrived himself, he went in alone, shut the door, and prayed to the LORD. Then he stretched himself upon the child — mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. The child's flesh grew warm. Elisha walked about the house, then stretched himself upon the boy again. The child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. Elisha called the mother and said, 'Take up thy son.'
Symbolism & Typology
The Prophet's Chamber
The woman built a room with 'a bed, a table, a stool, and a candlestick' — basic provision for God's servant. Hospitality to those who carry God's word opens doors for miracles. She gave generously without expecting anything in return, yet received the deepest desire of her heart.
The Staff That Failed
Gehazi laid Elisha's staff on the dead child, but nothing happened. Prophetic tools without prophetic presence are powerless. Symbols, rituals, and religious objects have no inherent power — only God's direct presence brings life.
Elisha Lying on the Child
Elisha stretched himself upon the child, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands — intimate, personal, costly identification. Resurrection requires personal presence, not distant delegation. Christ's incarnation follows this pattern: He came down, identified with us completely, and breathed life into the dead.
'It Is Well'
When asked about her dead son, the Shunammite answered 'It is well' — before the resurrection. Her faith declared peace in the midst of death. This phrase later inspired the hymn 'It Is Well With My Soul.' True faith speaks of wellness before deliverance arrives.
Cross-References
Spiritual Lessons
Hospitality Invites God's Blessing
The Shunammite woman's generous hospitality to the prophet opened the door for miraculous blessing. When we give freely, God often responds with gifts beyond our imagination.
Faith Persists Through Crisis
When her son died, the Shunammite woman did not give up — she went straight to the man of God. Her determined faith models how to respond to the worst moments of life: seek God's presence.
God Has Power Over Death
Elisha's raising of the child foreshadows the ultimate power of God over death, fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions for personal reflection, small groups, or family Bible time.
What does the story of Elisha and the Shunammite Woman teach us about hospitality invites god's blessing? How have you seen this truth in your own life?
Faith Persists Through Crisis: How does this lesson from Elisha and the Shunammite Woman challenge the way you think or act today?
Put yourself in elisha's position. What would have been the hardest part of this experience? What would have required the most faith?
The theme of this story is "Faith and Resurrection." Where do you see this theme playing out in the world today?
How does this Old Testament story point forward to Jesus and the gospel? What connections can you see?
If you could share one truth from Elisha and the Shunammite Woman with someone who has never read the Bible, what would it be?
Family Activity Ideas
Bring this story to life with hands-on activities for children and families.
📖 Scripture Memory Challenge
Memorize 2 Kings 4:16 together as a family this week. Write it on a card, post it on the fridge, and practice saying it each morning. By the end of the week, see who can recite it from memory!
All ages🎭 Act It Out
Have family members take turns acting out different scenes from Elisha and the Shunammite Woman. Assign roles, create simple costumes from household items, and let everyone participate. After the performance, discuss what each character might have been feeling.
Ages 4–12🎨 Trust Fall & Trust Map
Do a trust fall exercise together, then create a "Trust Map" — draw or write times when God proved faithful in your family's life. Add to it throughout the month as you see God working.
Ages 6+🍽️ Dinner Table Devotion
At dinner this week, read 2 Kings 4:30 aloud and ask each person: "What is one thing from the story of Elisha and the Shunammite Woman that you want to remember?" Let everyone share — even the youngest.
All agesFrequently Asked Questions
Where is the story of Elisha and the Shunammite Woman in the Bible?
The story of Elisha and the Shunammite Woman is found in 2 Kings 4:8-37 of the King James Bible (2 Kings).
Where in the Bible is the story of Elisha and the Shunammite Woman?
You can find the story of Elisha and the Shunammite Woman in 2 Kings 4:8-37 (KJV).
Where does the story of Elisha and the Shunammite Woman start in the Bible?
The story of Elisha and the Shunammite Woman begins in 2 Kings 4:8-37. A wealthy Shunammite woman shows hospitality to the prophet Elisha and is blessed with a son. When the child dies, Elisha raises him back to life through the power of God.
Where was Shunem?
Shunem was a town in the territory of Issachar, in northern Israel near the Jezreel Valley. It was along a route that Elisha frequently traveled between Mount Carmel and other prophetic communities.
Why did Elisha stretch himself on the child?
This was a prophetic act of intercession, similar to what Elijah did in raising the widow's son at Zarephath (1 Kings 17). It symbolized the prophet identifying fully with the dead child and calling upon God's power to restore life.
Is the Shunammite woman named in the Bible?
No, she is never named in Scripture. She is identified only as 'a great woman' of Shunem. Despite her anonymity, she is one of the most remarkable women of faith in the Old Testament.
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