Forrest Gump would likely summarize James 2:14-26 by saying, “Faith is as faith does.” And one Old Testament woman gives us a beautiful picture of that kind of living, doing faith.

She’s referred to as only “the Shunammite” in reference to her home in Shunem, whose people lived in the light of Israel’s God while simultaneously in the shadow of Baal worship. But in that shadow lived a faithful few who loved the Lord and those who did His work.

This is the remarkable story of one such woman.

Investing in Kingdom Work

It started when the Shunammite woman saw a need and insisted upon meeting it. She didn’t conduct a survey. She didn’t set up a committee. She didn’t solicit a tax deduction. She just did something good because it was the right thing to do.

One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food.—2 Kings 4:8 (ESV)

While the Shunammite continued to feed the prophet, something ate at her. She was welcoming Elijah into her home, only for him to leave afterward while she remained in her safe, comfortable surroundings. Where did Elijah go? Where could he find rest?

She could do more.

And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”—2 Kings 4:9-10 (ESV)

Elisha offered to seek the king’s favor on her behalf. She declined. She wasn’t looking for quid pro quo. But the Lord would repay her kindness.

A Blessing Turned to Testing

The Shunammite was wealthy and prominent, and she had declined Elisha’s offer to seek the king’s favor on her behalf. So what do you give the person who has everything?

Elisha asked his servant, Gehazi, for ideas.

Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.” But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.—2 Kings 4:14b-17 (ESV)

But years later, the son suddenly grew sick and died that day in his mother’s lap. For the Shunammite, this was not a time for mourning. It was a time for action.

She wasted no time and no words. She laid her son on Elisha’s bed, left the house with no other explanation than that she was going to find the prophet, and she rushed to Mount Carmel.

When Gehazi rushed to ask her if all was well, she stayed calm and focused. Then she clung to Elisha’s feet until he returned with her to her house, where he stretched himself over the child’s body twice until the boy revived.

Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.—2 Kings 4:36-37 (ESV)

She responded with gratitude and obedience, the fruit of a life lived in faith.

Obedience and Restoration

Before long, the Shunammite would face another trial. A famine was coming, Elisha warned her, and she needed to flee. This meant leaving behind her home, her land, her wealth and her comforts to live among the Philistines, Israel’s sworn enemies (2 Kings 8:1-3).

Eight years later, the famine behind her, she had no choice but to ask the king to restore her land to her. Would he show her favor, or would she have to start over from scratch?

As she approached the king, imagine her surprise seeing Gehazi detailing Elisha’s many miracles.

And while he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, here is the woman, and here is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed an official for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, together with all the produce of the fields from the day that she left the land until now.”—2 Kings 8:5-6 (ESV)

Yet again the Lord would be the Shunammite’s restorer and the lifter of her head. She had her faith, her son, her home and her legacy. And her legacy endures for all time.

What We Can Learn from Her

Maybe you’re not wealthy like the Shunammite. But you can still be generous with what you have. Anticipate needs. Offer hospitality. Bless others, especially those who live to proclaim God’s truth. Do what’s right without expecting anything in return.

When trouble hits, ask the Lord for courage. Demonstrate grit. And show the world that faith is as faith does.

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This is Part 17 in a series about biblical women—some named, some not, some honorable, some less so. But all have earned a place in scripture, and all have important lessons to teach us.