2 Kings 4:8

King James Version (KJV)

And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

Translations

2 Kings 4:8 - Amplified Bible

One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a rich and influential woman lived, who insisted on his eating a meal. Afterward, whenever he passed by, he stopped there for a meal.

2 Kings 4:8 - American Standard Version

And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

2 Kings 4:8 - Bible in Basic English

Now there came a day when Elisha went to Shunem, and there was a woman of high position living there, who made him come in and have a meal with her. And after that, every time he went by, he went into her house for a meal.

2 Kings 4:8 - Darby Bible

And it came to pass on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a wealthy woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, [that] as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

2 Kings 4:8 - English Standard Version

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 - King James Version

And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

2 Kings 4:8 - La Biblia de las Americas

Y aconteciò que un dìa pasaba Eliseo por Sunem, donde habìa una mujer distinguida, y ella le persuadiò a que comiera. Y asì fue que siempre que pasaba, entraba allì a comer.

2 Kings 4:8 - The Message

One day Elisha passed through Shunem. A leading lady of the town talked him into stopping for a meal. And then it became his custom: Whenever he passed through, he stopped by for a meal.

2 Kings 4:8 - New American Standard Bible

Now there came a day when Elisha passed over to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman, and she persuaded him to eat food. And so it was, as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat food.

2 Kings 4:8 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Un dìa pasaba Eliseo por Sunem, donde habìa una mujer distinguida, y ella lo persuadiò a que comiera. Y sucedìa que siempre que pasaba, entraba allì a comer.

2 Kings 4:8 - World English Bible

It fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. So it was, that as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat bread.

2 Kings 4:8 - Young's Living Translation

And the day cometh that Elisha passeth over unto Shunem, and there [is] a great woman, and she layeth hold on him to eat bread, and it cometh to pass, at the time of his passing over, he turneth aside thither to eat bread,

2 Kings 4:8 - Additional Comments

Shunem was a city in the tribe of Issachar, that lay in the road between Samaria and Carmel, a road that Elisha often travelled, as we find 2:25.
This woman was notable -- the Greek means high, great, noteworthy, proud, mighty. Isn't it refreshing to find someone of this stature to have this noble character? Why is it that this seems unusual? What does this say about the "trials" we face with our meager finances?
She was hospitable (Rom 12:13, 1 Tim 3:2, Titus 1:8). Hospitality must be accompanied by the right attitude, or it is lost (1 Pet 4:9). What are hindrances to hospitality? How about valuing yourself over others? Pride of image over valuing others? A house or people that aren't in perfect form? Valuing things over people, particularly a clean house? Do you put yourself over others? Do you put things over people? Hospitality is little more than valuing people, and showing it to them with your time and possessions.
Note that she did this kindness, truly expecting nothing in return. We need to do the same -- any kindness we bestow should not even require a "thank you", although it is uplifting when we do receive a response or benefit ourselves.

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