2 Kings 4 - Shalom

2Ki 4:23
So he said, "Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath." And she said, "It is well."

2Ki 4:26
"Please run now to meet her, and say to her, 'Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?'" And she answered, "It is well."

Shalom. That's all she said in response to people's questions, after the death of her son.

It is really very interesting to see how this mother responded right after the death of her son. The Bible only records that she laid him on the Elisha's bed, requested for transportation from her husband, and went forth to find Elisha (2 Ki 4:21-22). There are no records of her mourning or sorrow. Which mother would not weep at the loss of her child?

She did not even want to share this sorrow with her husband! To whomever greeted her, she responded with one word: "Shalom".

She was not being aloof. Rather, I saw her great faith being manifested in her deeds.

The first thing that she did after her son's death was to look for Elisha, the man of God. She had the unwavering faith that he can do something about it. At that point in time, there was only one goal in her mind: To look for Elisha as soon as possible, telling her servant not to slacken the pace (2Ki 4:24).

When we meet with problems in our lives, do we quicken our pace in search for God? Do we also have the unwavering faith that God can definitely help us?

Also, she responded with "Shalom" to whoever greeted her. I believe that she did not say it to dismiss them; rather, she meant it from her heart.

It will be "shalom" when I find Elisha, the man of God. He can do something about it.

I marvel at her great faith. How can one remain so calm at the loss of one's child and still say "shalom"? Any other woman might have already lost her mind in weeping and wailing.

What about us? In times of adversity, can we still greet people from our heart with "shalom"? Can we still keep our peace while we look for God, whom we know can save us?

And when we have found God, do we catch Him and cling on to Him, the way the woman caught Elisha by the feet and clung on to him (2Ki 4:27, 30)?

I pray that we may manifest faith like that of this Shunammite woman, having peace in our hearts in times of trouble and turning to God for help.