2 Bomambo 4 - KBTP & GNTD

he child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. He said to his father, ‘My head! My head!’ His father told a servant, ‘Carry him to his mother.’ After the servant h

The story of the Shunammite woman and her husband is a testament to hospitality, faith, and unwavering love. Though the Bible does not reveal their names, their actions demonstrate a deep bond of mutual respect, generosity, and trust in God’s power. Their love was not just for each other but also for the work of God, and they were blessed because of it.

1. A Home Filled with Generosity

2 Kings 4:8 – “One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.”

The Shunammite woman was hospitable and recognized the importance of serving God’s prophet, Elisha. This reflects the love and generosity she and her husband shared, opening their home for God’s work. Their love was marked by a willingness to bless others together.

2. Building a Sacred Space

2 Kings 4:9-10 – “She said to her husband, ‘I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.’”

The Shunammite woman and her husband worked together to create a special place for Elisha, showing their unity and shared faith. A strong marriage is built on serving God together and making room for His presence in the home.

3. A Reward for Their Faithfulness

2 Kings 4:13-14 – “Elisha said to him, ‘Tell her, you have gone to all this trouble for us. Now, what can be done for you?’” … “Gehazi said, ‘She has no son, and her husband is old.’”

They were selfless in their giving, not expecting anything in return. Yet, God saw their faithfulness and prepared to bless them in a way they never imagined. Love that is built on selfless generosity often leads to unexpected blessings.

4. A Promise Fulfilled

2 Kings 4:16-17 – “Then Elisha said, ‘About this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.’ ‘No, my lord!’ she objected. ‘Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!’ But the woman became pregnant, and the next year, about that same time, she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.”

Even when the promise seemed too good to be true, God fulfilled it. This reminds us that God rewards faithfulness in His perfect timing. A loving and faith-filled marriage can be the foundation for miracles.

5. Tragedy Strikes

2 Kings 4:18-20 – “The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. He said to his father, ‘My head! My head!’ His father told a servant, ‘Carry him to his mother.’ After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died.”

The loss of their promised child was devastating. Yet, the husband and wife did not turn against each other in grief. Instead, the Shunammite woman chose to act in faith, believing that God had the final say. In marriage, supporting each other through pain is essential.

6. A Bold Step of Faith

2 Kings 4:22-23 – “She called her husband and said, ‘Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return.’ ‘Why go to him today?’ he asked. ‘It’s not the New Moon or the Sabbath.’ ‘That’s all right,’ she said.”

Though her husband was uncertain, he trusted her decision. This shows the importance of believing in each other’s faith. Sometimes, one spouse may be stronger in faith during trials, and the other must support them.

7. A Miracle Restores Their Son

2 Kings 4:32-35 – “When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord… The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.”

Their faith and hospitality led to the miraculous restoration of their son. This teaches us that a marriage grounded in faith and service to God can overcome any trial, even the darkest moments.

Elisha unobhatsha tjilikadzi ye nshayi

1 Nkadzi we mmwe we badiyiwana be balebesambeli kalilila kuna Elisha eti, “Nlanda uwo, iye nlume wangu wakafa, ngono unoziba kuti nlanda uwo wakabe etja Yahwe, koga nlume waakabe ekolota wazha kuwotola bana bangu babili kube balanda babe.” 2 Elisha kanshandula eti, “Ndikuthamileni kene? Undibudze, kuneni tjaunatjo mu ng'umba iyo?” Ngono kati, “Nlandakadzi wenyu aana tjaanatjo mu ng'umba kuzhe kwe itenyana tje mafuta.” 3 Elisha kandwa kati, “Yenda ku babakidzani babo bose ukumbile mapepe asina tjimukati. Usikumbile mashomanana. 4 Ngono ungine mu ng'umba uzwizhalilile mukati ne bakololo babo, ube udila mafuta mu mapepe wose, linozhala ulibigile ntome.” 5 Nkadzi kadwa pa nli, kanozwizhalilila mu ng'umba ne bakololo babe, ngono bakololo babe bakayesa mapepe kunli iye edila mafuta. 6 Kwakati mapepe wose atjizhala, kati ku nkololo uwe, “Zhisa limwe kakale.” Ngono kanshandula eti, “Akutjina bhepe lasala.” Ndizo mafuta kama kuwunga. 7 Nkadzi kayenda kanobudza nlume we Ndzimu, ngono kati, “Yenda unotengesa mafuta ngono ulipe zwikoloto zwizo, ndizo anowobe asala unowozwitjidza ndiwo ne bakololo babo.”

Elisha ne nkadzi we nfumi we Shunemu

8 Kwakati limwe zhuba Elisha kayenda ku Shunemu, kwakabe kuna nkadzi wakafuma, iye wakankwekweredza kuja zojiwa. Ngono tjibaka tjimwe ne tjimwe ha epinda ipapo unopampukilako kunoja. 9 Ngono nkadzi kadwa nlume uwe kati, “Bona, ndoziba kuti nlume wakayengemala we Ndzimu, unogala epinda patili. 10 Ngati nthamile ng'umbana tjapezhugwi kudenga, ngono timbigile bulawo ne tafuli ne tjigalo ne luvone, kuti ndizo apa azha kutili agale ko.”

11 Kwakati limwe zhuba kaswika, ngono katathila ku tjing'umbana tjitje, kanyaluluka ko. 12 Ngono kadwa nlanda uwe Gehazi kati, “Dana nkadzi we N'shunami.” Wakati an'dana, kazha kama mbeli kukwe. 13 Ngono Elisha kadwa Gehazi kati, “Undwe uti, ‘Wakazwidziyidza kungapa nge kwedu, unoshaka thamigwani kene? Apa unoshaka lebelekegwa kuna mambo kene ku ntungamili we babhayani be ngwa kene?’ ” Nkadzi kashandula eti, “Ndogala pakati kwe bathu bangu.” 14 Ngono Elisha kati, “Ungathamigwani kene?” Gehazi kashandula eti, “Tjoselele aana nkololo, ne nlume uwe watjikwegula.” 15 Elisha kabe eti, “Un'dane.” Ngono wakati an'dana, kabuya kama pa nkoba. 16 Ngono Elisha kati, “Mu tjibaka itjetji mu gole linozha, unowobe wakagumbatila mwana we tjilisana.” Ngono nkadzi kashandula eti, “Aa, tetshi wangu, imwi nlume we Ndzimu, musitjengele nlandakadzi wenyu.” 17 Koga nkadzi kazwisenga ngono kawana mwana we tjilisana mu tjibaka itjetjo mu gole linotobela, koga sekwa akabe abudziwa ndi Elisha.

18 Kwakati mwana atjikula, limwe zhuba kabhuda kayenda kuna tate babe ku bavuni. 19 Ngono mwana kadwa tate babe kati, “Nsholo wangu, nsholo wangu,” Tate babe bakadwa nlanda bakati, “Un'yise kuna mmeyabe.” 20 Kwakati nlanda ammilidza, an'yisa kuna mmeyabe, mwana kagala mu makumbo abo kuswikila masikati, ngono kafa. 21 Ngono nkadzi kayenda kanombiga mu bulawo gwe nlume we Ndzimu, ngono akanzhalilila mukati iye kabhuda. 22 Kadana nlume uwe, kandwa kati, “Unditumile mmwe we balanda ne imwe donki kuti nditjimbidze ndiyende ku nlume we Ndzimu ngono ndishanduke.” 23 Nlume kashandula eti, “Ini uyenda kunli nasi kene? Ngoti akutekuli Nzano we Mwedzi ugala, kakale akutekuli Sabata.” Nkadzi kati, “Kose kowolulwama.” 24 Ndizo nkadzi kabelesa donki, ngono kadwa nlanda uwe kati, “Utjiyendise, usindinonose kuzhe kwendakudwa ndijalo.” 25 Ngono kayenda kanoswika ku nlume we Ndzimu ku Dombo le Karimeli.

Kukati Elisha embona aswika, kadwa Gehazi nlanda uwe kati, “Bona, nkadzi we nshunami woje, 26 labuka unshanganidze, umbhuzwe uti, ‘Apa unomuka kene? Apa nlume uwo unomuka kene? Apa mwana uwo unomuka kene?’ ” Ngono kashandula eti, “Kwakalulwama.” 27 Ngono kati eswika pa nlume we Ndzimu ku dombo, kabhata makumbo awe. Ngono Gehazi kasedzela kuti ansunde, koga nlume we Ndzimu kati, “Unletje, ngobe meya dzidze dzakadzipikana munli, ngono Yahwe bandisumbikila iko, abazondibudza.” 28 Ngono nkadzi kati, “Apa ndakatongo kumbila mwana we tjilisana kumuli tetshi wangu kene? Apa andizoti musinditjebele kene?” 29 Ngono kadwa Gehazi kati, “Sunga thunji dzidzo ngono utole ludozo gwangu nge luboko uyende. Ha ushangana ne nthu usidumilise, ha nthu ekudumilisa usindabile, ubige ludozo gwangu mu buso gwe mwana.” 30 Ipapo mme be mwana bakati, “Yahwe ha batjatjila kose nawe utjatjila, andingakusiye.” Ndizo kamilika kasala nkadzi shule. 31 Gehazi kayendila mbeli ngono kaswika kabiga ludozo pa buso gwe mwana, ngono kwakabe kusina nsindo kene tjinolakidza butjilo. Ndizo kashanduka kanonshangamidza ngono kandwa kati, “Mwana aazomuka.” 32 Kwakati Elisha eswika ku ng'umba, kabona mwana alilele akafa pa bulawo gugwe. 33 Ndizo kangina kazwizhalilila mukati ne mbisana katembezela kuna Yahwe. 34 Ndizo katatha bulawo kalala pezhugwi kwe mwana, kabiga nlomo uwe panlomo we mwana, mesho awe pana e mwana, maboko awe pa maboko e mwana, ngono wakati ezwitambunudza pezhugwi kwe mwana, mbili we mwana ukadziya. 35 Ngono kamilika kakale, kayenda yenda mu ng'umba, katatha ngono kazwitambunudza pezhugwi kwe mwana, mwana katshimuta katendeka ngono mwana kazhula mesho awe. 36 Elisha kadana Gehazi kandwa kati, “Dana nkadzi we Nshunami.” Ndizo nlanda kandana, ngono wakati ebuya kandwa kati, “Tola nkololo uwo.” 37 Kangina, ngono kawila pa makumbo awe kathigama pasi. Ipapo katola nkololo uwe kayenda.

Matjenamiso mamwe mabili

38 Elisha kabgwilila ku Giligala ngono kukabe kuna bhamba mu shango. Ngono kwakati badiyiwana be balebesambeli batjigele mbeli kukwe, kadwa nlanda uwe kati, “Biga hali hwulu pa moto, ngono uthamile badiyiwana be balebesambeli zojiwa.” 39 Ngono mwe wabo kabhuda kayenda ku shango kunoshaka milibo, ngono kawana nti unamapudzana kautjela kazhadza hazu iye. Ngono kati ashanduka kaswika eutjekelelela mu hali ye zojiwa, nenguba kwakabekusina unoziba kuti ini. 40 Kukapakuligwa balume kuti baje. Ngono kwakati betangisa ja, baka lila beti, “Nlume we Ndzimu wee, kuna lufu mu hali.” Ngono bakasitubule ku zwija. 41 Elisha kati, “Zhisani bgwisa.” Ngono kagulonga mu hali, kabe eti, “Pakulila balume kuti baje.” Ngono kukabe kusina mbhatsha mu hali.

42 Kukazha nlume edwa ku Bhaaleshalisha ezhisila nlume we Ndzimu zwiwunga zwe zwivuno zwe kutanga zwe bhali zwili makumi mabili (20), kose ne zwiyako zwe mathunde matshwa. Elisha kati, “Ipa balume ibaba baje.” 43 Koga nlanda uwe kati, “Ukatini? Apa ndingabiga ikoku mbeli kwe bathu bali zana kene?” Koga Elisha kashandula eti, “Uzwipe balume ibaba baje, ngoti tjinoleba Yahwe ndi etji, ‘Banowoja bakasiya.’ ” 44 Ndizo kazwibiga mbeli kwabo, ngono bakaja bakasiya, kuyendidzana nge dama la Yahwe.

Elisha Helps a Poor Widow

1 The widow of a member of a group of prophets went to Elisha and said, “Sir, my husband has died! As you know, he was a God-fearing man, but now a man he owed money to has come to take away my two sons as slaves in payment for my husband's debt.”

2 “What shall I do for you?” he asked. “Tell me, what do you have at home?”

“Nothing at all, except a small jar of olive oil,” she answered.

3 “Go to your neighbors and borrow as many empty jars as you can,” Elisha told her. 4 “Then you and your sons go into the house, close the door, and start pouring oil into the jars. Set each one aside as soon as it is full.”

5 So the woman went into her house with her sons, closed the door, took the small jar of olive oil, and poured oil into the jars as her sons brought them to her. 6 When they had filled all the jars, she asked if there were any more. “That was the last one,” one of her sons answered. And the olive oil stopped flowing. 7 She went back to Elisha, the prophet, who said to her, “Sell the olive oil and pay all your debts, and there will be enough money left over for you and your sons to live on.”

Elisha and the Rich Woman from Shunem

8 One day Elisha went to Shunem, where a rich woman lived. She invited him to a meal, and from then on every time he went to Shunem he would have his meals at her house. 9 She said to her husband, “I am sure that this man who comes here so often is a holy man. 10 Let's build a small room on the roof, put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp in it, and he can stay there whenever he visits us.”

11 One day Elisha returned to Shunem and went up to his room to rest. 12 He told his servant Gehazi to go and call the woman. When she came, 13 he said to Gehazi, “Ask her what I can do for her in return for all the trouble she has had in providing for our needs. Maybe she would like me to go to the king or the army commander and put in a good word for her.”

“I have all I need here among my own people,” she answered.

14 Elisha asked Gehazi, “What can I do for her then?”

He answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is an old man.”

15 “Tell her to come here,” Elisha ordered. She came and stood in the doorway, 16 and Elisha said to her, “By this time next year you will be holding a son in your arms.”

“Oh!” she exclaimed. “Please, sir, don't lie to me. You are a man of God!”

17 But, as Elisha had said, at about that time the following year she gave birth to a son.

18 Some years later, at harvest time, the boy went out one morning to join his father, who was in the field with the harvest workers. 19 Suddenly he cried out to his father, “My head hurts! My head hurts!”

“Carry the boy to his mother,” the father said to a servant. 20 The servant carried the boy back to his mother, who held him in her lap until noon, at which time he died. 21 She carried him up to Elisha's room, put him on the bed and left, closing the door behind her. 22 Then she called her husband and said to him, “Send a servant here with a donkey. I need to go to the prophet Elisha. I'll be back as soon as I can.”

23 “Why do you have to go today?” her husband asked. “It's neither a Sabbath nor a New Moon Festival.”

“Never mind,” she answered. 24 Then she had the donkey saddled, and ordered the servant, “Make the donkey go as fast as it can, and don't slow down unless I tell you to.” 25 So she set out and went to Mount Carmel, where Elisha was.

Elisha saw her coming while she was still some distance away, and he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, there comes the woman from Shunem! 26 Hurry to her and find out if everything is all right with her, her husband, and her son.”

She told Gehazi that everything was all right, 27 but when she came to Elisha, she bowed down before him and took hold of his feet. Gehazi was about to push her away, but Elisha said, “Leave her alone. Can't you see she's deeply distressed? And the Lord has not told me a thing about it.”

28 The woman said to him, “Sir, did I ask you for a son? Didn't I tell you not to get my hopes up?”

29 Elisha turned to Gehazi and said, “Hurry! Take my walking stick and go. Don't stop to greet anyone you meet, and if anyone greets you, don't take time to answer. Go straight to the house and hold my stick over the boy.”

30 The woman said to Elisha, “I swear by my loyalty to the living Lord and to you that I will not leave you!” So the two of them started back together. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and held Elisha's stick over the child, but there was no sound or any other sign of life. So he went back to meet Elisha and said, “The boy didn't wake up.”

32 When Elisha arrived, he went alone into the room and saw the boy lying dead on the bed. 33 He closed the door and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he lay down on the boy, placing his mouth, eyes, and hands on the boy's mouth, eyes, and hands. As he lay stretched out over the boy, the boy's body started to get warm. 35 Elisha got up, walked around the room, and then went back and again stretched himself over the boy. The boy sneezed seven times and then opened his eyes. 36 Elisha called Gehazi and told him to call the boy's mother. When she came in, he said to her, “Here's your son.” 37 She fell at Elisha's feet, with her face touching the ground; then she took her son and left.

Two More Miracles

38 Once, when there was a famine throughout the land, Elisha returned to Gilgal. While he was teaching a group of prophets, he told his servant to put a big pot on the fire and make some stew for them. 39 One of them went out in the fields to get some herbs. He found a wild vine and picked as many gourds as he could carry. He brought them back and sliced them up into the stew, not knowing what they were. 40 The stew was poured out for the men to eat, but as soon as they tasted it they exclaimed to Elisha, “It's poisoned!”—and wouldn't eat it. 41 Elisha asked for some meal, threw it into the pot, and said, “Pour out some more stew for them.” And then there was nothing wrong with it.

42 Another time, a man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing Elisha twenty loaves of bread made from the first barley harvested that year, and some freshly-cut heads of grain. Elisha told his servant to feed the group of prophets with this, 43 but he answered, “Do you think this is enough for a hundred men?”

Elisha replied, “Give it to them to eat, because the Lord says that they will eat and still have some left over.” 44 So the servant set the food before them, and as the Lord had said, they all ate, and there was still some left over.