Context No. 2568 of 4322 · 2 Kings

2 Kings 4:25-29: in context

25So she went, and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her afar off, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Behold, there is the Shunammite. 26Please run now to meet her, and ask her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with your child?’” She answered, “It is well.” 27When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is troubled within her; and the LORD has hidden it from me, and has not told me.” 28Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me’?” 29Then he said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand, and go your way. If you meet any man, don’t greet him; and if anyone greets you, don’t answer him again. Then lay my staff on the child’s face.”

The Shunammite woman's only son, the child God had given her through Elisha's word, has just died in her arms. She saddles a donkey and rides straight to the prophet at Mount Carmel. When his servant asks if all is well, with her, her husband, her child, she answers simply, it is well. But when she reaches Elisha she seizes his feet, and when the servant moves to push her away, Elisha stops him: leave her, for her soul is bitter within her.

Two things live together in this woman. On her lips is it is well, a stubborn confession of trust even over her dead son, and in her hands is a desperate grip on the prophet's feet, refusing to be turned away. Her faith is not calm detachment; it is trust that clings, that runs toward God's servant instead of away, that will not let go. She does not hide her bitterness, and she does not abandon her hope. When the worst has happened, she takes it straight to where God's help is and holds on with everything she has.

When the worst happens, do I run toward God and cling, refusing to let go, and can I say it is well while still gripping his feet in my grief?

Sources

2 Kings 4:26: Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with your child? She answered, It is well.
2 Kings 4:27: she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, Leave her alone, for her soul is troubled within her.
Psalm 34:18: The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.