2 Kings 8:2

And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years.

And the woman {H802} arose {H6965}, and did {H6213} after the saying {H1697} of the man {H376} of God {H430}: and she went {H3212} with her household {H1004}, and sojourned {H1481} in the land {H776} of the Philistines {H6430} seven {H7651} years {H8141}.

The woman acted at once and did as the man of God had said - she went with her household and stayed in the land of the P'lishtim for seven years.

So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines.

And the woman arose, and did according to the word of the man of God; and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years.

Commentary

2 Kings 8:2 recounts a significant act of faith and obedience by the Shunammite woman, a prominent figure in the narrative of Elisha the prophet. This verse highlights her immediate response to the divine warning given through the "man of God," Elisha.

Context

This verse follows directly from 2 Kings 8:1, where Elisha warns the Shunammite woman of an impending seven-year famine that would devastate the land of Israel. This woman is well-known from earlier accounts in 2 Kings, notably for her hospitality to Elisha and God's miraculous provision of a son for her (2 Kings 4:8-17), whom Elisha later raised from the dead (2 Kings 4:32-37). Having experienced God's power and faithfulness through Elisha previously, her trust in his word is deeply rooted.

Key Themes

  • Obedience to Prophetic Warning: The Shunammite woman's prompt action demonstrates remarkable obedience to God's word, conveyed through His prophet. She didn't question or delay but immediately acted on the instruction to leave her homeland.
  • Divine Provision and Protection: By fleeing, she and her household were spared the severe hardship of the seven-year famine. This illustrates God's foresight and His commitment to protecting those who trust and obey Him, even if it means temporary displacement.
  • Trust in God's Messenger: Her willingness to "sojourn in the land of the Philistines," a foreign and often hostile territory, for such a long period, underscores her profound trust in Elisha as God's true messenger.
  • Sojourning and Exile: The concept of "sojourning" (living as a temporary resident in a foreign land) is a recurring theme in biblical narratives, often signifying a period of trial, reliance on God, and eventual return to one's inheritance, as seen later in her story (2 Kings 8:3-6).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "sojourned" is gรปr (ื’ึผื•ึผืจ), which means to dwell as a temporary resident, a stranger, or a foreigner. It implies a non-permanent stay, highlighting that her move to the land of the Philistines was not intended as a new settlement but a temporary refuge from the famine. This contrasts with permanent migration and emphasizes her status as an alien in that land, awaiting a return to her own property.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today. It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of ready obedience to God's guidance, whether through His written Word, wise counsel, or spiritual discernment. Just as the Shunammite woman faced a period of "sojourning" and separation from her familiar surroundings, believers may also experience seasons of displacement, uncertainty, or hardship. In such times, this narrative reminds us to trust in God's sovereign plan and His promise of divine provision and protection, knowing that even temporary trials can lead to ultimate restoration and blessing.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Timothy 5:8 (2 votes)

    But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

  • 1 Samuel 27:1 (1 votes)

    ยถ And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: [there is] nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

  • 1 Samuel 27:3 (1 votes)

    And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, [even] David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife.

  • Judges 3:3 (1 votes)

    [Namely], five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.