One of the helpful stories in the Old Testament is that of the Shunammite. The picturesque and forceful language of the Scriptures leads us through a series of incidents to the grand climax, where the cherished only child is restored to the arms of the faithful and courageous mother. Not only does this mother stand as an example to all guardians of youth, but she also teaches us a great lesson in spiritual vision and patient preparation, so that Truth may triumph in what we call the crises of living.
We are told that this Shunammite was "a great woman," and it may well be that she was prominent in a worldly sense. However, her true greatness is substantiated from the very beginning of the account. She evidently appreciated Elisha as "an holy man of God" and wanted to learn from him. It is written that "she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread." She also had a room fitted up for him, where he could rest, which kindly act showed an accurate perception of his needs. And so, one day, when Elisha was resting in this room, he sent his servant to call the Shunammite, and to ask her what he could do for her in return for her care for him, if, perhaps, she would "be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host." Her reply to these proposals reveals her loving and serene outlook. She said, "I dwell among mine own people." Here, indeed, was a striking situation. A man in a position to obtain favors asks if there is anything he can do for this woman, and her answer is that she dwells among her own people. This meant that, since she lived among friends, she did not want anything. Did she, perhaps, realize the deep significance of the comforting words of the Psalmist. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want"?
We have no reason to suppose that her life was different from that of her contemporaries. It appears that she and her husband were well to do, but as Gehazi said to Elisha, she had no child. This "great woman" uttered no complaint, spoke of no lingering desire, only those tender, eloquent words, showing what she felt her position to be.
