2 Kings 4:25

So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, [yonder is] that Shunammite:

So she went {H3212} and came {H935} unto the man {H376} of God {H430} to mount {H2022} Carmel {H3760}. And it came to pass, when the man {H376} of God {H430} saw her afar off {H7200}, that he said {H559} to Gehazi {H1522} his servant {H5288}, Behold, yonder is that {H1975} Shunammite {H7767}:

She set out and came to the man of God on Mount Karmel. When the man of God saw her in the distance, he said to Geichazi his servant, "Look, here comes that Shunamit.

So she set out and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, there is the Shunammite woman.

So she went, and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is the Shunammite:

Commentary

2 Kings 4:25 describes a crucial moment in the narrative of the Shunammite woman, who is desperately seeking the prophet Elisha after her son's sudden death. This verse highlights her unwavering resolve and Elisha's immediate recognition of her distress.

Context

This verse is part of a longer account in 2 Kings chapter 4, which details several miracles performed by the prophet Elisha. The Shunammite woman, a wealthy and pious woman, had previously shown great hospitality to Elisha, even building him a prophet's chamber. In return, Elisha promised her a son, who was miraculously born. However, the child later died (as described in 2 Kings 4:19-20). Distraught, she immediately set out to find Elisha, who was residing on Mount Carmel. Mount Carmel itself holds significance as a place of divine encounter and prophetic activity, notably where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal (see 1 Kings 18:19).

Key Themes

  • Persistent Faith and Determination: The Shunammite woman's journey to Mount Carmel, despite her deep grief, demonstrates extraordinary faith and determination. She knew exactly where to go for help, trusting in Elisha's connection with God to bring about a solution to her seemingly insurmountable problem.
  • Divine Awareness and Prophetic Insight: Elisha's immediate recognition of the Shunammite from "afar off" suggests a heightened spiritual awareness or prophetic insight. It implies that God was already preparing Elisha for her arrival and the great need she carried.
  • Seeking the Man of God: Her immediate action to seek out Elisha, often referred to as "the man of God," underscores the biblical pattern of people seeking spiritual leaders and prophets in times of crisis, believing in their ability to intercede with the divine.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "man of God" (Hebrew: 'ish ha'elohim) is a recurring title in the Old Testament, used to describe prophets and individuals specially appointed by God to deliver His messages and perform His will. It signifies divine authority and close communion with the Almighty.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking God and His appointed servants in times of distress. The Shunammite woman's actions teach us that when faced with overwhelming circumstances, our first instinct should be to turn to the source of divine help with unwavering faith and persistence. Just as Elisha recognized her from a distance, God is aware of our struggles and our pursuit of Him, even before we fully articulate our needs. Her story ultimately culminates in the miraculous resurrection of her son, a testament to the power available through faith and seeking God's intervention.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 2:25

    And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.

  • Isaiah 35:2

    It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, [and] the excellency of our God.

  • 1 Kings 18:19

    Now therefore send, [and] gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.

  • 1 Kings 18:42

    So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,
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