Shunammite
Summary
A title applied to natives of Shunem, most notably Abishag who nursed King David and the unnamed woman whose son Elisha raised from the dead.
☩Abishag the Shunammite
Abishag was a beautiful young woman from Shunem who was brought to minister to the aged King David in his final days. Though she lay with the king to keep him warm, there was no physical relationship. After David's death, Adonijah's request to marry her was perceived by Solomon as an attempt to claim the throne, and it cost Adonijah his life.
☩The Shunammite Woman
A 'great woman' of Shunem provided hospitality to the prophet Elisha, building him a small room where he could stay when passing through. As a reward, Elisha promised her a son. When the boy later died suddenly, the woman's faith was such that she could say 'It is well,' and her faith was rewarded when Elisha raised her son back to life. Years later, after a famine, Elisha helped her recover her property.
References
- 1.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Shunammite," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shunammite," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.George Morrish, "Shunammite," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.George Morrish, "Shunammite," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 5.James Orr (ed.), "Shunammite," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).