0213. THE GREATNESS OF THE SHUNAMMITE.

THE GREATNESS OF THE SHUNAMMITE.

2Ki_4:8-37.

Introduction.

1. This is a most interesting and instructive incident.

2. Shunem was quite close to the Palace of Jezreel.

3. Despite its nearness to a corrupt court, there was quite another moral atmosphere about this home.

4. The woman was great in many senses-specially in mind and soul.

5. Why was the husband not mentioned save incidentally? Perhaps the property had originally been her’s, or was she the better man of the two? He was much older than she (14).

6. Let us consider the greatness of the Shunammite.

She was Great:

I. In Religious Hunger. She had a great appetite (2Ki_4:23) for spiritual things.

II. In Persuasive Power. "She constrained" (2Ki_4:8) Was he at first unwilling to accept the invitation to the great house?

III. In Perception (2Ki_4:9). "I perceive." She judged Elisha to be a good man by his demeanour whilst a guest.

IV. In Generosity. "A little chamber" (2Ki_4:10). She proposed sacrificing the most cherished position in an Eastern house. A stairway from the outside would give him absolute privacy.

V. In Patriotism (2Ki_4:11-13). "I dwell among mine own people." She thought the world of her own townsfolk.

VI. In Humility (2Ki_4:13). Humble-minded, she cared not for a position at Court. And God rewarded her with a little one.

VII. In Self-control 2Ki 4: (18 – 21). Not one peevish word did she utter; not one rebellious word! Evidently she mentioned not the death to her husband.

VIII. In Earnestness (2Ki_4:22-24). "I may run." Also look at 2Ki_4:27. Poor Gehazi-what a lack of imagination! He was a slave to the proprieties.

IX. In Faith. "It is well" (2Ki_4:26). "All well," and yet the child dead in the house! It was faith in God that was speaking. (Was she curt with Gehazi because of his lack of sympathy?)

X. In Persistence. She had little faith in Gehazi, and refused to leave Elisha (2Ki_4:30).

XI. In Imitation. She had imbibed Elijah’s and Elisha’s great lesson on the self-existence and supremacy of the Lord (2Ki_4:30).

XII. In Prayer (2Ki_4:33). Elisha prayed with her before going up to his own chamber where the dead boy lay.

XIII. In Gratitude. Fell at his feet (2Ki_4:37). Too full for words.

Autor: James Smith