One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.
Parallel translations
- WEB One day Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman; and she persuaded him to eat bread. So it was, that as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat bread.
- KJV 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.
- NKJV Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food.
- NASB Now a day came when Elisha went over to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman, and she urged him to eat food. And so it was, as often as he passed by, that he turned in there to eat food.
- NLT One day Elisha went to the town of Shunem. A wealthy woman lived there, and she urged him to come to her home for a meal. After that, whenever he passed that way, he would stop there for something to eat.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A wealthy woman of Shunem repeatedly welcomes Elisha to share a meal. Hospitality to God's servant becomes the doorway to great blessing.
Overview
This prominent woman recognizes and honors the prophet by feeding him whenever he passes. Her initiative shows generosity that does not depend on need or reward. Such hospitality to God's messengers is highly valued throughout Scripture. Jesus later teaches that receiving a prophet brings a prophet's reward.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Josh 19:18Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
- Gen 19:3But Lot insisted so strongly that they followed him into his house. He prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
- Job 1:3and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East.
- 2 Kgs 4:11–12One day Elisha came to visit and went to his upper room to lie down.
- Job 32:9It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.
- Luke 24:29But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them.
- 1 Kgs 1:3Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.
- 2 Sam 19:32Barzillai was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.
- Judg 19:20“Peace to you,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.”
- Prov 7:21With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.
- Acts 16:15And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
- Luke 1:15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
- 2 Kgs 4:18And the child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the harvesters.
- 1 Sam 28:4The Philistines came together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.
- Luke 14:23So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.
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Christ at the center
Amid the long decline toward exile, the promise to David's house refuses to die; the flickering lamp kept burning anticipates the coming King who will not fail or be cut off.
How 2 Kings 4:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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