Bible in a Year - Women’s Thematic Reading Plan | Day 189

Day 189 of the Women’s Bible Plan: Read 2 Kings 4:18-37 and reflect on the Shunammite woman and her son. Through her response when her child suddenly faced a life-threatening crisis, this devotional helps women consider how to run to God in the pain of parenting, family burdens, fear, and helplessness. This page includes 2 Kings 4:18-37 Scripture, a family devotional guide, reflection questions, a daily verse, prayer, and a closing response.

🌸  Dear Sister, welcome to Day 189 of our reading journey. 

The needs of our children often touch the deepest places of a mother’s heart. Their health, growth, faith, emotions, studies, relationships, and future can all become hidden burdens we carry. In ordinary times, we may be able to encourage others calmly and remind ourselves to trust God. But when a child enters a real crisis, a mother’s heart can be pulled into a place of fear, helplessness, and desperate uncertainty.

The Shunammite woman in 2 Kings Chapter 4 walked through such a moment. This child had originally been a gift from God through the prophet Elisha—a surprising hope given to a household where her husband was old. Yet after the boy had grown, he suddenly cried out in pain, was carried back to his mother, and died on her knees.

This is a heavy passage. It does not treat a mother’s grief lightly, and it does not present faith as emotionless strength. The Shunammite woman laid her child on the bed of the man of God, shut the door, and went out to seek Elisha. She did not remain swallowed by despair, nor did she accept hopelessness as the final word. In her child’s crisis, she ran toward God.

A Minute of Grace

2 Kings 4:18-37 continues the story of the Shunammite woman’s son. This child had first been promised to her through Elisha. She had not dared to demand such hope, yet God graciously gave her a son. Now the child has grown, but one day in the field he suddenly cries out to his father, “My head, my head.” A servant carries him to his mother, and he sits on her knees until noon, and then dies.

This mother faces an unspeakable shock. Why would the gift God gave suddenly seem to be taken away? Why would the child who once brought joy now become the deepest pain of her heart? She does not immediately explain everything to everyone, nor does she allow despair to completely overcome her. She lays the child on Elisha’s bed, shuts the door, and moves with determination to seek the man of God.

The Shunammite woman’s faith is not easy faith. It is faith in deep pain. When she says, “It shall be well,” it is not because nothing has happened, and not because she feels no grief. It is because her heart is still reaching toward God. She knows that this child’s life is not in her own control, and she also knows that this child first came as grace from God. So in crisis, she goes to God’s servant and brings the matter before the Lord.

When she reaches Elisha, she does not simply give a polite report. She falls at his feet and holds him there, bringing out the deep pain of her heart. Elisha first sends Gehazi, but the Shunammite woman insists, “As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” She does not settle for surface comfort, nor does she stop at indirect help. Her persistence reveals the heart of a mother urgently seeking God in crisis.

In the end, Elisha comes to the child, prays, and the child is restored to life. The Shunammite woman bows again at Elisha’s feet, then takes up her son and goes out. This passage shows us that God hears a mother’s cry in crisis, and He is able to show mercy and restoration in situations that look completely hopeless to human eyes.

Today’s theme, “The Shunammite Woman and Her Son,” invites us to reflect: When our family or children enter crisis, what is our first response? Panic, blame, suppression, control—or running to God? This does not mean we should not seek doctors, counseling, practical help, or family support. Rather, it reminds us that above all our actions, our deepest reliance is still the Lord.

Whispers for the Heart

1 The Shunammite woman’s son suddenly became ill and died on her knees. Have you ever faced a sudden crisis involving your child, family member, or someone deeply close to you? In your most fearful and helpless moments, what do you usually reach for first? How does this passage invite you to bring your deepest fear before God?

2 The Shunammite woman laid her son on the bed of the man of God and went to seek Elisha. She did not deny her pain, but she also did not remain trapped in despair. Are there family burdens in your life that you have carried for a long time without knowing what to do? Are you willing to entrust them again to God and seek wise spiritual and practical help?

3 The Shunammite woman insisted that she would not leave Elisha, showing her urgent desire to seek God. When you pray for your children, family, or home, do you grow discouraged when change is slow? Could God be reminding you through this mother not to settle for surface comfort, but to continue bringing your loved ones before Him?

As you read 2 Kings 4:18-37 today, do not notice only the miracle at the end. Also pay attention to the Shunammite woman’s faith, action, and persistence in the midst of pain. Her story reminds us that when a child enters crisis, a mother may weep and feel afraid, but she does not have to carry the burden alone. We can bring our broken hearts to the God who holds life in His hands.

Take a quiet breath before you begin. Bring your worries, fears, helplessness, and hopes for your children, family, and loved ones before the Lord, and let His Word meet you there.

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🪕 Response Hymn: 

2 Kings 4:18-37 (KJV)

18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.

19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.

20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.

21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.

23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.

24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.

25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:

26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well:

27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.

28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?

29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.

30 And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.

32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.

33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord.

34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.

37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

🪕 Response Hymn: 

💡 Closing Thought · Bring Your Deepest Burdens Before God

After reading 2 Kings 4:18-37, we see that when the Shunammite woman faced the most desperate moment concerning her son, she did not remain helpless, nor did she carry the burden alone until she broke. She moved in pain and sought God’s help with faith. Her story does not tell us that every crisis will be resolved immediately in the way we expect. But it does remind us that in the deepest pain of family life, God is still the Lord we can run to.

As we close this page and return to our own family life, perhaps you are worried about a child, anxious for a parent, grieving over a marriage, or feeling helpless about a loved one’s health, emotions, faith, or future. Remember this: you are not carrying your family alone. You can take responsibility, and you can ask for help. You can weep, and you can pray. You can admit that you are powerless, and still bring the ones you love before God.

May today’s Scripture remind you that your children and family ultimately rest in God’s hands. May you not be overcome by fear in crisis, may you not stop praying in helplessness, and may you not lose hope in long seasons of watchful love. May God Himself become the refuge, helper, and Lord of life for you and your household.

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