Scripture Daily

Context No. 4203 of 4322 · 2 Kings

Context · Reflection

2 Kings 4:20-24: in context

20When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees until noon, and then died. 21She went up and laid him on the man of God’s bed, and shut the door on him, and went out. 22She called to her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants, and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and come again.” 23He said, “Why would you want to go to him today? It is not a new moon or a Sabbath.” She said, “It’s all right.” 24Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, “Drive, and go forward! Don’t slow down for me, unless I ask you to.”

The Shunammite woman, who had longed for a child and been given a son, now holds that son as he dies on her lap at midday. It is the worst thing that could happen to her. And yet, in her grief, she does something remarkable. She lays the boy on the prophet's bed, saddles a donkey, and sets out at once to find the man of God. When her husband asks why she is going, she answers simply: it is well.

What stands out is where her grief drives her. She does not collapse into despair, nor does she sit passively with her sorrow. In the darkest moment, she goes straight to God's prophet, straight toward God, with a faith that will not let go. It is well, she says, not because the situation was well, but because she was casting herself and her grief upon God, trusting him even here.

When the worst happens, we can either sink into despair or run to God with our grief, refusing to let go of him. The Shunammite woman shows the second way: taking her sorrow straight to God, saying it is well even in the valley, not because the pain was small but because her God was near. Faith takes its grief straight to God.

When the worst happens to me, do I run to God with my grief as the Shunammite woman ran to the man of God, saying it is well not because the situation is well but because I am casting myself on God, or do I sink into despair and let go of him?

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