All the Books of the Bible: Second Kings, Part 19

Volume 12: Second Kings, Part 19

By M E Rosson

The next story has three parts, the Gift, The Reward, death and life! It begins in verse 8 of chapter 4 when a woman of Shunem decided that Elisha should have a room within the wall of her home. Obviously, this was a great house with a wall around it and she had a room made with a bed, table, chair, and a light so that Elisha would have a home whenever he passed by.

This was a gift that was quite generous for the time, in fact there are no other examples of such largess in the entire Bible. This woman knew that Elisha was a man of God and that He was ministering to her people so she gave a gift that allowed Elisha to have what might have been the first Bed and Breakfast in History.

Many Churches through the centuries based housing, or parsonages, vicarages and even monasteries on this principle. Parsonages have become out of fashion in the late 20th century but are returning as the cost of Homes rise. Many small Churches that only offer a small salary for their Pastor or Minister will include a home and utilities as a part of their salary package.

One thing is sure, if you bless the man of God in your life, you will always receive a reward and to prove this, Elisha calls the Shunem woman to his room and asks her what he can do for her in return:

12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.

13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. Then she left the man of God.

Gehazi, who shall become quite infamous in the next chapter, the servant of Elisha said:

14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.

15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.

16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.

What a wonderful return for this gift, which again proves the precept we find throughout the Word of God that: You cannot out-give God!

Jesus said this:

Matthew 10:41-42

41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

And in Mark Jesus says:

Mark 9:40-42, King James Version (KJV)

40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Take the example of the Woman of Shunem, she gave unto the Prophet of God and God gave her a son in return, which is the greatest of all returns in this life, so make sure you support, pray and give to the Man of God in your life as according to scripture, for it will not go unrewarded.

If you have a question or comment, please email me at markrosson@comcast.net. To order one of my books type in "M E Rosson" at amazon.com.