2 Kings 4:8-37
FOUND! – A VIRTUOUS WOMAN!
(A complete Lesson) Possibly for Mother’s Day
Proverbs 31:10 – Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
· Tell us about a “virtuous woman” you know or have known.
· What qualities does a virtuous woman have?
· How can studying about the virtuous woman be frustrating?
· What benefits are there for men in studying the virtuous woman?
Although it is Proverbs 31 that describes the virtuous woman, I believe this passage before us gives us a live picture of the type of woman who is virtuous. It is to our advantage to learn from this classy lady.
HER PERCEPTION OF CHARACTER – Vss. 8-9
· Elisha probably traveled much in his role as prophet in Israel. He was invited to stop in and eat once, and the woman evidently gave him an open invitation to continue to stop.
· This lady was a good judge of character. She could tell that Elisha was a “holy man of God”. What qualities might there have been in Elisha that led her to this conclusion?
· Why is perception of character an important trait to have?
· How does one become so perceptive?
· What must we avoid when trying to perceive the character of another?
HER PROVISION FOR GOD’S PROPHET – Vs. 10
· Why is hospitality important? 1 Peter 4:9
· Why is hospitality becoming a lost grace among Christians?
· To you, how does each piece of furniture represent a different aspect of hospitality?
· To you, what spiritual significance is there in the bed, table, stool, and candlestick?
· How does one learn to become hospitable?
HER PEACE IN SERVICE – Vss. 12-13
· This woman was obviously the type of person who anxiously wanted to meet the needs of others. My mother in-law, Grace Adams, was like that.
· What natural characteristic is Elisha showing in these verses?
· Elisha asked if she would like to have some special favor from a general or the king. Did she want special protection or favor?
· The woman was content with her lot in life, even though she had a deep, secret hurt. Although her situation was not perfect, she was contented.
· 1 Timothy 6:6 – But godliness with contentment is great gain.
· Why is contentment such an admirable trait?
HER PROMISE OF BLESSING – Vss. 14-17
· Elisha still wanted to help this woman. Sometimes it is hard to do something for someone who is contented.
· The lady’s husband was old. She had no child. Why didn’t she mention her want of a child?
· Elisha promised her that she would conceive and have a child about the same time in the following year.
· What exactly was this woman saying?
· Why is it hard for us to believe that God can do the impossible? Luke 1:37
· A child was born as promised.
HER PROBLEM WITH HER SON – Vss. 18-21
· Notice the typical reaction, “Take him to his mother.”
· What do you think was going through this woman’s mind as she sat with her son?
· The boy eventually died. Why do you think she put the child on the man of God’s bed?
HER PILGRIMAGE OF FAITH – Vss. 21-30
1. To Her Husband – Vss. 21-23
· The lady didn’t tell her husband that the boy was dead. Why?
· The husband wondered why a visit to the man of God was in order. It wasn’t a “holy day”.
· The woman’s answer “It is well”, or “peace”, was either an indication of her faith in spite of a heart breaking situation or a realization that her husband could do nothing to help her, so he should be at peace.
· For good reason the woman was in a hurry.
2. To Gehazi – Vss. 24-26
· Inquiry was made by Gehazi in Elijah’s behalf. The prophet realized that something must be wrong with her, her husband, or her child.
· Again the answer to the inquiry was, “It is well,” or “peace”. Again, there was nothing that Gehazi could do.
3. To Elisha – Vss. 27-30
· What does verse 27 tell you about the woman, Gehazzi, and Elisha?
· What was the woman saying in verse 28?
· Vs. 29 – Perhaps Elisha thought that a miracle could be wrought through the staff without his being present. Or perhaps Gehazzi was to stand guard until Elisha arrived. In those days bodies were buried immediately.
· What does verse 30 say about the woman’s faith?
HER PLEASURE IN VICTORY – Vss. 31-38
· Why do you think the staff failed to resurrect the child?
· What can we learn about Elisha’s methods?
· What does the woman’s reaction to her son’s revival tell us about the woman’s heart?