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contiguity to the summer palace of Jezreel, which was perched on the hill above,
occupying a position equally beautiful and commanding. And despite its nearness to
a corrupt court, there was quite another moral atmosphere about its homes. Shunem
seems to have preserved something of the old Israelitish spirit, some of that purity,
earnestness, impulsiveness, and we had almost said intenseness, which even long
afterwards characterized Northern Palestine and the people of Galilee. A sturdy sense
of independence (2 Kings 4:13), combined with reverent simplicity (verses 9, 10),
warm home-affections (verses 16, 18, 20), earnest religiousness, and an unwavering
spiritual faith (verses 23, 24, 28) - such are the ideas which we have learned to
associate with Shunem. And the very physique of this population seems to have
corresponded with this moral healthiness. Apparently Shunem was not only the home
of wealthy men, but also of fair women, such as of the beautiful Abishag, King
David's maiden wife (1 Kings 1:3), or the lovely Shulamite^167 who ravished
Solomon's heart (Cant. 6:13, etc.), and of the Shunammite of our present narrative.
We infer that at this time Elisha had been frequently passing between Samaria^168 and
what was probably his ordinary place of abode on Carmel.
The direct road from the one to the other place does not lead by Shunem, which lies
somewhat farther to the east, at the south-western slope of "little Hermon," and on
the opposite side of Esdraelon from Carmel, at a distance of about fifteen or twenty
miles across the plain. But it so happened that on a certain occasion Elisha, "passed
over [thus literally] to Shunem." According to good Israelitish custom, hospitality
would be offered to him; but it was only what was becoming that such should have
been extended to the prophet by the mistress of what seems to have been the "great"
house^169 at Shunem.
We infer that Elisha was at first unwilling to accept the invitation to the "great"
house. Probably there were few such in the land where the prophet could have felt
himself at home. But when he yielded to the urgent yet modest importunity of the
Shunammite, he must soon have perceived that this was not only a pleasant place of
rest on the journey, but one to which he might safely resort for refreshment of body
and mind. We are too apt to apply our modern habits of thought and expression to the
relationships of ancient times. Yet this may here be pointed out, that the manner in
which the Shunammite marked Elisha as a "holy" man of God, indicates enlightened
piety; the care with which she received him, affectionate regard; the provision which
she made for his absolute privacy, unselfishness and reverence; and the circumstance
(later alluded to) of her attendance on Elisha's religious instruction (v. 23), a certain
spiritual relationship between them. And so it came that, after this first visit, "as oft"
as Elisha "passed across" the plain of Esdraelon, "he turned aside" [and this also
literally, since Shunem was not in the direct road] to enjoy the hospitality of the
pious mistress of the "great" house at Shunem.
(^)