Metaphysical meaning of Shunammite (mbd)
ShunammiteInternal Link, shu'-nam-mite (fr. Heb.).
a A native of Shunem. Here the reference is to Abishag, who was brought to King David to care for him in his old age (I Kings 1:3). b The woman whose son was restored to life by Elisha (II Kings 4:8-37).
Meta. See ABISHAG and SHUNEM for the significance of Abishag the Shunammite.
The Shunammite woman whose son was restored to life by Elisha represents that loving, faithful attitude of mind which entertains and gives substance to the spiritual side of life.
The Shunammite's husband represents the more materialistic side of the consciousness, dealing with the manifest realm. It has its place in the soul's development, but is apt to give way to weak sympathy when confronted with negative conditions, unless it is unified with spiritual forces of faith and love. The husband receives the assurance that "it shall be well." The child, the sensitive offspring of these two qualities, cannot yet cope with the seeming powers of material conditions. While with "the reapers" he was overcome by sunstroke.
The Shunammite's coming to Elisha has this symbolism: During a trial of faith, when darkness of death seems to have overcome some faculty or activity in consciousness, one must turn in loving trust to God, through the center of spirituality (Elisha).
It was necessary for Elisha to go with the Shunammite woman into the presence of the dead child, because intellectual perception (Gehazi) is not enough to restore life. The servant, Gehazi, was sent with Elisha's staff, but returned reporting failure. In restoring order and life in any part of the organism it is necessary first to make union with the spiritual I AM (Elisha), then to go in a consciousness of power, faith, love, and life to the place needing attention and there to set up new activity through the positive force thus engendered and breathed forth.
Elisha went into the room with the child and shut out mortal sympathy, represented by the mother and the servant, because in true prayer all the attention is turned to Spirit and one for the time ceases to function in relative qualities. I AM (Elisha) in the silence receives the inflow of pure spiritual life and distributes it through the seven life centers: "The child sneezed seven times." Thus the natural man's organism is quickened, revitalized, and restored to health.
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Preceding Entry: Shumathites
Following Entry: Shunem
