The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 144

old. eaddle her ass, and repair to the prophet on sabbaths and new moons for consolation and instruction. Exile of this sort would he painful to her spirit, as it was to that of the psalmist (Ps. xiii. 4, 6), God in hie providence often thus deprives his people for a time of the privilege of ordinances, peraaps through sickness, perhaps through remornl to new scenes, perhaps through the interposition of direct obstacles, 'l'here was in the Shunammite's case a famine of the Word as well as of bread. These things try faith, and operate to the quickening of spiritual desire. 2. To med a new trial. The Shunammite came back to her home, to find that, in her long absence, her house and lands had beeli alienated from her. Probably, as deserted by their owner, they had become the pri,p~rty of the crown (ver. 6). Or some neighbouring proprietor may have poBBessed himself of the abandoned fields. In any case, it was a sore discovery for the Shunammit0 to make, on her return, that she could no longer obtain her own. The trial of coming back seemed almost greater than that of going away. Might not the 611.me prondence that had cared for her in Philistia have watched over her possessions at home? It was Gnd who had called her thence: might he not have secured that, when she returned, she would get her own? The issue of this trial should encourage believers not too readily to distrust the Almighty. It came to he seen that God had been caring for her in her absence-had, so to speak, been putting out her lands at interest for her, so that, when they were restored, she "received her own with usury" (Matt. xxv. 27). Ill THE SnUNun.rrTE's APPEAL. The most striking part of the story is yet to come. Having no other remedy, the Shunammite appealed to the king, as first magistrate, to restore to her her lands, "She went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land." We note concerning her appeal: 1. Its ;'uatice. The Sbunammite bad a good and just cause. Kings and magistrates are set to administer justice. Yet it is possible that, but for the circumstances next narrated, the impo- verished lady might have cried long enough before her possessions were restored to her. It is difficult to get the holders of unlawfully acquired property-especially in land-to yield up again their title to it. The cry of the poor does not always penetrate, as it should do, to the ear of justice. 2. Its providential opportuneness. It is God's prerogative to maintain the ea.use of the oppressed (Ps. ix. 4, 9, 10), and he was preparing the way for this cause being heard. The circumstances are remarkable, ~bowing how entirely all events are in the hand of God, how what we call accidental conjunctures are really providences, and how, without overriding human freedom, all things, even the most ordiuary, are working together for good to those who love him. (I) lt happened that, just a.s the Shunammite approached, her son being with her, to pre..ent her prayer, the king and Gehazi, Elisha's servant, were talking together of the wonderful works of the prophet. "Tell me, I pray thee," said the king, "all the great things that Elisha hath done." Jehoraro, though a wicked man (eh. ix. 22), had yet, as we have formerly seen, a certain susceptibility to good in him. His was a divided nature. He had a reverence and respect for Elisha; he knew the right; he took pleasure in bearincr of Elisha's wonclerfol deeds, Yet he never took God's Law truly into his heart. How ~any are like him (Ezek. xx.xiii. 30-33) ! (2) In particular, Gehazi w~s relating to the king how Elisha had restored the dead son of the Shunammite to life, How sinmlar, we say, that this should have been the subject of conversation at that very mo~entl But it was God who ordered that this should come about. We find a very similar instance in the case of King Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther. He could not 11leep, and ordered the chronicles of his kingdom to be read before him. It was the niuht when Ha.man's 1,lot was ripe for the destruction of Mordecai, but the passage r~d was that which told how Mordecai had made known a conspiracy against the king's life. This saved him, and led to He.man's own destruction (E~th. vi.). The wheels within wheels in God's providence a.re truly marvellous, He lifts up one and casts down another by the simplest possible mean_s. (3) As ~ehazi was speak!ng, the Shunammite and her son stood before them, and cmd to the kmg. No doubt m great surprise, Gehazi said, "My lord, 0 king, this is the woman, and th!s ill her son, whom Elisha restored to life." The ear of the king was now elfectually gamed. 3. Its success. 'l'he woman, being asked to state her plea, did so, and her request was at once granted. Not only were her house and land restored to her, but recompense was made for all the fruits of the field since the day she had left it. Thus ahe received back in abundance os. vm. 1-20.] THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS. 18i5