Shunem
“Uneven place; or double resting-place”
Summary
A town in Issachar famous as the home of the Shunammite woman who hosted Elisha and as the native place of Abishag.
☩Location
Shunem was allotted to the tribe of Issachar, mentioned alongside Jezreel and Chesulloth. Eusebius described it as a village called Sulem, five Roman miles south of Mount Tabor. This corresponds to the modern village of Solam (or Sulem), located on the southwestern slope of Jebel Duhy (the 'Little Hermon'), three miles north of Jezreel, with a view across the plain of Esdraelon to Mount Carmel.
☩Historical Significance
Shunem served as the Philistines' encampment before the fateful battle of Gilboa where Saul and Jonathan fell. The armies of the Philistines at Shunem and Saul on Gilboa were in full view of each other. The town is most famous for its association with Elisha, who frequently passed through and was hosted by a wealthy Shunammite woman; Elisha later raised her son from death. Abishag, the beautiful young woman who attended the aged King David, was also from Shunem.
Related Verses4 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shunem," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Shunem," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).