CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.—
2 Kings 4:8. Shunem, in the plain of Esdraelon, at the base of Little Hermon, now Sulam.
2 Kings 4:10. Chamber on the wall—Probably, as in 2 Samuel 18:33, a chamber in the oleah, or porch, usually appropriated to strangers; secluded and suitable for quiet retirement.
2 Kings 4:13. I dwell among mine own people—i.e., I do not need court notice, for my life is serenely simple, and I am satisfied with the esteem of my neighbours.
2 Kings 4:16. Thou shalt embrace a son—Thus experiencing the same proof of Divine favour as was given to Sarah in her old age (Genesis 18:10-15).
HOMILETICS OF 2 Kings 4:8-17
GENUINE KINDNESS IS NEVER UNREWARDED
I. It is in the power of all classes to show kindness (2 Kings 4:8). Elisha was hospitably entertained by a “great woman”—great in moral goodness as well as in wealth. It is in the power of the rich to do much good with their riches. All honour to those who of their abundance take pleasure in ministering to the wants of the needy. It is in their power greatly to augment the happiness of the world. But alas! how many there are who, with ample means to do good to others, have not the disposition. The lack of the disposition is more sad, and, unfortunately, more common, than the lack of the ability. It is not, however, the exclusive privilege of the rich to show kindness to others. The poor may, and do, help the poor. There are many who, like the poor widow of Zarephath, are ready to share their last crust and their last cruse of oil. There are arts of kindness more precious than money. These it is in the power of all classes to show—rich or poor, great or insignificant. A generous spirit is governed more by the actual necessity of the case than by the expense. Great acts of kindness are not accomplished without cost (1 Chronicles 21:24).
II. It is a special privilege to show kindness to a true servant of God (2 Kings 4:9-10). There was something about the mien and spirit of Elisha which impressed the women of Shunem that he was “an holy man of God.” He was so different from the prophets of Baal, or from many who pretended to a character of sanctity to which they had no claim. In a time of such widespread degeneracy, a good man was too rare not to be easily distinguished. In showing kindness to Elisha, she paid deference to the God whom he worshipped and whose truth he taught. The love of kindness should spring from the love of goodness. “Those that are truly pious and devout think their houses and their hands cannot be too open to the messengers of God, and are most glad to exchange their earthly commodities for the others spiritual. Superfluity should not fall within the care of a prophet, necessity must. He that could provide oil for the widow, could have provided all needful helps for himself. What room had there been for the charity and beneficence of others, if the prophet should have always maintained himself out of power?” A judicious use of kindness to the truly good is more fruitful of blessing than the most lavish generosity towards the undeserving. Indiscriminate charity does more to pauperise than to really help.
III. A grateful heart knows how to appreciate genuine kindness (2 Kings 4:11; 2 Kings 4:13). The prophet was not unmindful of the thoughtfulness and liberality with which he was treated, and was anxious to bestow some substantial proof of his appreciation and gratitude. Kindness begets kindness. It is the curse of a selfish and covetous spirit to receive all and give nothing in return. The heart that cannot respond to repeated acts of kindness is past all feeling—it is petrified into stony hopelessness. Gratitude will manifest itself; it is restless to show its appreciation of kindness. “An ingenuous disposition cannot receive favours without thoughts of return. A wise debtor is desirous to retribute in such kind as may be most acceptable to his obligers. Without this discretion, we may offer such requitals as may seem goodly to us—to our friends, worthless.”
IV. The reward of genuine kindness often comes in a form least expected (2 Kings 4:14-17). The kind hostess of the prophet did not look for any recompense. She had no difficulty in which Elisha’s influence with the king or the captain of the host would be of any service to her. She was not conscious of needing anything. The recompense came in a way wholly unexpected—all human probabilites seemed against her being thus honoured—she received the promise of a son. To an Israelitish wife childlessness was a reproach and disgrace (Genesis 30:23; Luke 1:25). In some way unexpected, but in a way that will bring much satisfaction and joy, kindness will meet with its reward. There is a special blessing connected with what we do for the servants of God (Matthew 10:40-42).
LESSONS:—
1. The love of moral goodness begets a true generosity.
2. A generous spirit never lacks opportunity for its exercise.
3. Kindness shown to the servants of God is never lost.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
2 Kings 4:8. There are always, among those whose lot it is to have wealth, some who do not attach their hearts to it, and do not trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God; who have not become satiated and indifferent in their hearts, but hunger and thirst alter righteousness, and have an earnest desire for the bread of life. The servants of the Word ought not to withdraw themselves from these, but advance to meet them in every way. God always gives to His children pious hearts, so that they open their houses and shelter strangers. Though the Gadarenes beg him to depart (Luke 8:37), though there are Samaritans who will not receive Christ (Luke 9:52), yet there is always a good soul which is glad to take the Lord Jesus and receive Him to itself. He who, like the Shunammite, honours and loves the Lord, and is anxious to lead a life in God, honours and loves also the servants of the Lord, and seeks their society. He does not seek them, however, as pleasant companions, or merely in order to claim their help in bodily need, but he seeks them as shepherds, as soul-physicians, as guardians of God’s mysteries, and as messengers in Christ’s stead.—Lange.
2 Kings 4:9-11. A true servant of God. I. Distinguished by purity of life and character. “A holy man is like a crystal glass with a clear lamp in the midst of it.” II. Exerts a beneficial influence on all with whom he comes in contact. III. Inspires generous purposes in the hearts of all lovers of goodness. IV. Sincerely appreciates acts of kindness done for his own or his Master’s sake.
2 Kings 4:12-17. The conversation of Elisha with the Shunammite.
1. The question of Elisha. A question inspired by gratitude, although the woman had far more reason to thank him than he her. A noble heart does not like to receive a favour and make no return, but recognizes its obligation to return it. It is also a test-question, to see if the Shunammite had received him in the name of a prophet, and not for the sake of a reward, or for any temporal gain. The question as to thy wishes is a question as to the disposition of thy heart.
2. The answer of the Shunammite. She seeks no recompense for the good she has done; she wishes to have nothing to do with the court of the king, and of the great ones of this world; she has no desire for high things—a sign of great humility and modesty. Although she lacked that which was essential to the honour and happiness of an Israelitish wife—a son—yet she was contented, and no word of complaint passed her lips—a sign of great contentment. The Lord, according to His grace and truth, remembers even the wishes that we cherish in silence and do not express before men, and He often gives to those who yield to His holy will without murmurs or complaints just that which they no longer dared to hope for. It makes a great difference whether we doubt of the Divine promises from unbelief, or from humility, or want of confidence in ourselves, because we consider the promises too great and glorious, and ourselves unworthy of them.—Lange.
2 Kings 4:13. It is good hearing that an Elisha is in such grace at the court that he can promise himself access to the king in a friend’s suit. It was not ever thus. The time was when his master heard, “Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?” Now the late miracle which Elisha wrought in gratifying the three kings with water and victory hath endeared him to the king of Israel. Bad as Jehoram was, yet he honoured the man of God. Not to his own advancement doth Elisha desire to improve the king’s favour, but to the behoof, to the relief of others. There cannot be a better office, nor more beseeming a prophet, than to speak in the cause of the dumb, to befriend the oppressed, to win greatness unto the protection of innocence.—Bp. Hall.
—“I dwell among mine own people.” A spirit of contentment. I. Finds its happiness in its immediate surroundings. II. Is not allured by offers of greater worldly distinction. III. Is not involved in troubles requiring the interference of the great and powerful. IV. Does not show kindness to others with the design of securing any advantage, or receiving anything in return.
—The good matron needs no shelter of the great. “I dwell among mine own people.” As if she said: The courtesy is not small in itself, but not useful to me. I live here quietly, in a contented obscurity, out of the reach either of the glories or cares of a court; free from wrongs, and free from envies. Not so high as to provoke an evil eye, not so low as to be trodden on. I have neither fears nor ambitions. My neighbours are my friends, my friends are my protectors; and, if I should be so unhappy as to be the subject of main injuries, would not stick to be mine advocates. This favour is for those that either affect greatness, or groan under oppression. I do neither, for “I live among my own people.” O Shunammite! thou shalt not escape envy. Who can hear of thy happy condition, and not say, why am I not thus? If the world afford any perfect contentment, it is in a middle estate, equally distant from penury, from excess. It is in a calm freedom, a secure tranquillity, a sweet fruition of ourselves, of ours.
2 Kings 4:16. How liberal is God by His prophet in giving beyond her requests. Not seldom doth His bounty overreach our thoughts, and meet us with those benefits which we thought too good for us to ask. We are never sure of what we desire. We are not more hard to believe than loath to distrust beneficial events. She well knew the prophet’s holinesscould not stand with wilful falsehood. Perhaps she might think it spoken by way of trial, not of serious affirmation—Bp. Hall.