Shunem

Shunem was a town allotted to the tribe of Issachar (Josh 19:18), known for being the home of the Shunammite woman who hosted Elisha (2Ki 4:8) and where the Philistines camped before battling Saul (1Sam 28:4).

Shunem was a town located in the territory of Issachar, in the Jezreel Valley (Josh. 19:18). It is most well-known as the home of the Shunammite woman, who showed hospitality to the prophet Elisha (2Ki. 4:8). This woman, recognizing Elisha as a holy man of God, prepared a room for him to stay whenever he passed through the town. In return for her kindness, Elisha prophesied that she would have a son, despite her husband's old age. Later, when the child died, Elisha raised him back to life, demonstrating God's power and the prophet's authority (2Ki. 4:18-37).

Shunem is also mentioned in the context of the conflict between Israel and the Philistines during the reign of King Saul. The Philistines gathered their forces at Shunem, while Saul and the Israelites camped at Mount Gilboa (1Sam. 28:4). It was during this time that Saul, in desperation, sought out a medium to consult the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel (1Sam. 28:7-25).

The town of Shunem was strategically located along the main trade route connecting the Jezreel Valley with the coastal plain. Its mention in various biblical narratives highlights its importance as a regional center and a place of significant events in Israel's history. The account of the Shunammite woman and Elisha also serves as an example of faith, hospitality, and God's power to bring life and restoration.

Two resting-places, a little village in the tribe of Issachar, to the north of Jezreel and south of Mount Gilboa (Josh. 19:18), where the Philistines encamped when they came against Saul (1 Sam. 28:4), and where Elisha was hospitably entertained by a rich woman of the place. On the sudden death of this woman’s son she hastened to Carmel, 20 miles distant across the plain, to tell Elisha, and to bring him with her to Shunem. There, in the “prophet’s chamber,” the dead child lay; and Elisha entering it, shut the door and prayed earnestly: and the boy was restored to life (2 Kings 4:8-37). This woman afterwards retired during the famine to the low land of the Philistines; and on returning a few years afterwards, found her house and fields in the possession of a stranger. She appealed to the king at Samaria, and had them in a somewhat remarkable manner restored to her (comp. 2 Kings 8:1-6).