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Ordinary Time · Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A

2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a

The Shunammite Woman's Hospitality to Elisha

June 28, 2026

Elisha and the Shunammite Woman, Gerbrand van den Eeckhout
Elisha and the Shunammite Woman, Gerbrand van den Eeckhout, 1649National Museum in Warsaw
A pupil of Rembrandt paints the moment the woman is told she will have a son, in a dim domestic room with the prophet seated.Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair and a lamp. The reading is hospitality rewarded.Gerbrand van den EeckhoutA pupil and lifelong friend of Rembrandt, who kept his master's manner in biblical subjects while painting fashionable portraits for a living.National Museum in WarsawPoland's principal art museum, rebuilt and restocked after the systematic looting and destruction of the Second World War.National Museum in Warsaw
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 10:37-42Mt 10:37-42
Second ReadingRom. 6:3-4, 8-11Rom 6:3-4, 8-11
First Reading2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a2 Kgs 4:8-11, 14-16a
Responsorial PsalmPs. 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 (2a)Ps 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 (2a)

Overview & Insights

"She said to her husband, 'Look, I am sure that this man who regularly passes our way is a holy man of God.'" (2 Kings 4:9)

A wealthy woman of Shunem recognizes Elisha as a holy man of God and, with her husband, builds a small room so the prophet can stay whenever he passes. In return Elisha promises that within a year she, who has no child and whose husband is old, will hold a son.

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Take it further: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a

Commentary

2 Kings 4 Commentary2 Kgs 4 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on the Shunammite woman and Elisha's promise.

2 Kings 4:8 Commentaries2 Kgs 4:8 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentaries gathered for the woman who welcomed the prophet.

2 Kings 4 Commentary2 Kgs 4 Commentary Precept Austin

Collected commentary and study resources on 2 Kings 4.

The Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Brant Pitre's video treatment of the First Reading, paired with the Gospel's welcome.

Background & Word Study

2 Kings 4:8 Interlinear2 Kgs 4:8 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew text and word study for the holy man of God and the promised son.

2 Kings 4 in Hebrew2 Kgs 4 in Hebrew Sefaria

Hebrew and English with Jewish commentary for the Shunammite narrative.

Overview: 1-2 KingsOverview: 1-2 Kgs BibleProject

Animated overview of Kings and the prophetic ministry of Elijah and Elisha.

The Prophets BibleProject

Background on the prophetic office that Elisha holds in this story.

The Church Fathers

Catena: 2 Kings 4Catena: 2 Kgs 4 Catena

Patristic comment on hospitality to the prophet and God's gift of a son.

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