Because of God’s Steadfast Love for Us, He Provides Beyond Our Expectations – The Widow of Zarephath & the Shunammite

READ THE TWO ACCOUNTS

1 Kings 17: 1-24 (Zarephath) 2 Kings 4:8-37  2 Kings 8:1-6 (Shunammite) 

The Kingdom of Israel is divided – each with their own king. Idol worship with all the accompanying debauchery is rampant among God’s chosen people. Still, God keeps a remnant of faithful followers. He raised up prophets, kings that worked to return the hearts of the people to God, and women who knew Him, and served the prophets.

Elijah was the first in a long line of prophets sent by God to Israel & Judah. Israel (10 tribes to north) had no faithful kings. Priests were few and were corrupt. God’s wrath was being exercised through a severe drought (1 Kings 17:1)

What was Israel like during the time of Elijah & Elisha?  (1 Kings 16:30-34)

READ 1 Kings 17: 8-24

1. Why did God send Elijah to the widow?

2. What was she doing when Elijah met her? Vs 10

3. What was her response to his request for bread? Vs 12

4. What did Elijah tell her? Vs 13-14 Pay close attention to who was making a promise to her.

5. What was the result of her obedience? Vs15

6. What happens to her son? Vs17

7. Why does she think this has happened? Vs 18

8. What does Elijah do? Vs 19-22

9. What was the result – what changed in the woman’s understanding? Vs 24

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10. How was Elisha connected to Elijah? (1 Kings 19:14-21)

11. As Elisha travels, he finds a wealthy couple that host him. What does the Shunammite woman ask her husband to do? VS 9-10

12. What was her response to Elisha when he asked how he could repay her? Vs 11-13

13. Elisha addresses the fact she has no children. What is her response? Vs 16 What was the result in vs 17?

14. The child becomes sick and dies in his mother’s arms. What did she do at that point? Vs 21-26

15. Her husband asks why she needs to do this today. What is her reply, and what does this indicate? Vs 23

Read 2 Kings 4: 25-37

16. When Elisha sees her coming, he sends his servant Gehazi ahead to ask her if everything is ok. What is her response? Vs26

17. What does Elisha say in response to Gehazi? Vs 27

18. What does she say to Elisha? Vs28

19. Elisha goes with her to her home. What does he do?

Read 2 Kings 8: 1-11

20. What had Elisha told the Shunammite woman to do?

Conclusion: What do the stories of these two women tell us about God?

Can you remember a time in your own life, where God cared for you personally, and later you could see it was all a part of His greater plan beyond just you?