There are some interesting contrasts between the 'great woman' and Naaman.

Whilst Naaman was not really interested in hearing the word of God the 'great woman' was quick to take heed.

We have to do our part-

The woman, 'What hast thou in the house?' v2

Moses, 'what is in thine hand?' Exo 4:2

Jesus to the disciples, 'How many loaves have ye?' Mat 15:34

We must first evaluate what we have. What we have, the power of God's word, the access to God in humble prayer, can cause a re-action with divine power, sufficient for our needs. 'My strength is made perfect in weakness'. 2Co 12:9

Remember too that once started the supply was not stayed until all the vessels were filled

If oil represents the Holy Spirit, then the first few verses here speak of the unlimited gift when Christ returns (2Kin 4:1-7).  The rest of the chapter tells of a wonderful story.  A woman decided to build an extension for the man of God; the woman had a miraculous son; the son died, and was resurrected. Then on to 2Kin 8:1-6, when a famine is forecast and the woman leaves the land for 7 years. She returns, and is given all of her possessions back by the king.  Surely this speaks of the whole of God's plan!  The woman is Israel, who built a house (temple) for God. The Son, Jesus, was miraculously born, died, and rose again. Israel was then sent out of her land for a complete length of time (= 7 years), and then returned.  This is in our days, when Israel is returning. Finally, the king (= God), is to give her back her land, when Christ returns.

V.23 The faith of the Shunammite woman should be noted.  She faithfully took care of her aged husband.  When her son died she did not hesitate to seek out Elisha.  But, her husband did not see the urgency of this situation.  This would suggest that his mental faculties were failing. 

V.24 The Shunammite woman was determined to make haste to see Elisha.  She saddled her ass and rode with haste to Mount Carmel, a distance of about thirty miles from Shunem.  Shunem was in the tribal land of Issachar, and the image of the woman's ass carrying its burden speedily over distance seems to fit the description of Issachar (Gen 49:14). 

V.26 The Shunammite woman would only discuss her problems with Elisha.  She seems to have had an insightful mistrust of Gehazi. 

Vs.29,30 Even though Elisha gave Gehazi his staff to place on the dead boy, the Shunammite woman insisted that Elisha come back too.  Eventually, the boy was restored to life.  Elisha is a type of Christ. 

If we employ the same faith in seeking out Yahweh as the Shunammite woman sought out Elisha, then the finality of our situation will also bring life (Isa 55:6; Matt 11:28; John 17:3). 

4:14 This barren woman had a son who, like Jesus, was raised from the dead  – So we see the son of a woman brought back to life and it appeared that she would never have a son as her husband was old – so her son was like the ‘seed of the woman promised to Eve Gen 3:15

4:29 Elijah’s injunction ‘salute him not’ highlights the single minded way in which Gehazi was to pursue his mission on behalf of the prophet. In like manner Jesus’ disciples were commissioned by the lord – Luke 10:4 – this is not an act of rudeness but an injunction to undivided service of God.

4:2 The prophet is willing to help the widow. However she has to take some of the initiative as well. God works like this. He is willing to help but expects us to do our part as well.

Vs.8,9 Yahweh calls people to serve Him, and then tests them. Elisha was sent to the woman of Shunem for this purpose.  The woman perceived Elisha to be a prophet and offered him accommodation. 

Perhaps the woman of Shunem had heard the account of the widow of Zarephath (1Kin 17:9 (Sarepta in Luke 4:26), and thought that kindness to the prophet might result in good fortune. 

V.23 It appears that both the woman of Shunem and her husband knew of Israel's ordinances under the Law.  From the time of her son's birth until his sickness, the woman appears to be a person of faith. 

V.29 The death of the woman's son was a test of her faith.  Would (could) Elijah restore her son to health?  A desperate mother would try anything.  And so, Elisha tested the woman's faith with his orders to Gehazi.

Necromancers, in their ungodly practices, had their servants rush to a dead person's house, with staff in hand, not stopping for anything to maintain the virtue of the visit.  Was Elijah practicing the Dark Arts?  Would the woman go along? 

V.30 The woman's response revealed that her faith in Yahweh could not be shaken.  She had passed Elisha's test.

2Kin 4:1-7: V1 - is the widow (Isa 54:4-5) of the dead prophet the Jewish people or mother Israel under the Mosaic Law, is she a symbol of those who faithfully trust in God? V1 - do the two sons (Isa 50:1) represent the two nations of Israel taken into captivity or burdened by or in debt to the Law or in bondage to sin? V1 - might the creditor/debtor (Gal 5:3) be the Law and its demands or sin? V1 - As Elijah is much like John the Baptist, do the cries unto Elisha suggest pleas for Christ? V2 - is the little oil the power of the Holy Spirit, a flicker of light in a dark world, the Word or teachings of God, an anointing? is the house a reference to Israel? V3 - might asking neighbors for empty vessels refer to reaching out to potential believers (or Gentiles as they are neighbors) in order to share God's truth? V4-6 - is the door being shut with the two sons and the neighbor vessels filled (with the spirit or God's Word?) and inside a reference to the future kingdom in Israel having it's doors shut to those not filled with oil, is the abundant oil (Matt 25:3) a more general reference to the supply of God's Word (or the truth's redemption giving light) to those who trust in Him? V7 - is the paid debt redemption in Christ? Live thou and thy children on the rest does this echo eternal life in the kingdom?

David Simpson's 2004 comments seem insightful with the woman being Israel, the little chamber with a lamp being the temple/throne of David/tabernacle and the miraculously born only son being Christ, who died and rose again, and will return to his home, etc.  2Kin 4:8 - "Shunem" [(7766) means "double resting place, quietly"].  2Kin 4:20 - "taken" [Heb. "nasa" (5375) means "to lift, lift up, be exalted, bear up, carry, take", etc.]. 2Kin 4:29 - "...Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand..." reads much like how the Lord's Passover was observed (Exo 12:11). 2Kin 4:31-35 - V31 a wooden staff (echo of the cross?)was laid on the boy, V34,35 then after two more times (a total of three) the boy was revived/resurrected sneezing "seven times" (some believe "7" indicates spiritual perfection, God's seal or covenant number. It comes from the Heb. "savah" meaning "to be full or satisfied, have enough of". The seventh millenial day of rest is thought to be when Christ will return to earth).

2Kin 4:38-41: V38 - "dearth" [Heb. "raab" (7725) means "famine, hunger, (can be literal or figurative famine of God's Word)"]; so some pottage or stew was cooked in a pot which may suggest sustinance both literal and spiritual. V39-41 - has wild gourds from a wild vine added in that would lead to death [perhaps there is a spiritual lesson that when good spiritual food has bad spiritual food or wrong doctrine or a false Christ mixed in it leads to death unless the wrong ideas are corrected with the bread of life (John 6:48,51,54) which comes from the true vine (John 15:1-8)]. 

2Kin 4:42 - "Baalshalisha" [(1190) means "thrice-great lord"] and perhaps echos the concept of three being divine perfection and Christ being the resurrected firstfruits (1Cor 15:20,23) bread of life (John 6:48,51,54) who feeds his flock. 2Kin 4:43 - "shall leave" [Heb. "yather" (3498) means "left over, to be left over, remain over, preserve alive, exceed, too much, cause to abound, to remain", etc.] and perhaps this echos the feeding of the 5000 (John 6:5-13) where there was also some bread "which remained over" (V.13).

52:4-5  So we see that the city of Jerusalem was besieged for 18 months. Give a thought to the idea of being shut up in a walled city for all that time. The personal suffering must have been tremendous. And all of this was because the people were rebellious thy had been told to accept the Babylonian captivity and to go the Babylon – Jer 29:4

52:31 In marking time from the beginning of Jehoiachin’s captivity Jeremiah follows the way in which Ezekiel marks the passage of time in his prophecy – Eze 1:2 etc.

52:8-9 The capturing of Zedekiah has already been spoken of by the prophet Jer 32:4

Vs.10,11 Nebuchadnezzar was the servant of Yahweh(Jer 25:9).  He carried out Yahweh's will on Jerusalem and Judah.  Zedekiah, who had been spiritually blind, was now physically without sight. 

Vs.24-27 The religious leaders (blind leaders of the blind Matt 15:14), together with the military and civic leaders, were eradicated.  With leadership comes responsibility: Much is required from the person to whom much is given (Luke 12:48).

52:31 In marking time for the captivity of Jehoiachim we see that as far as God was concerned, even though the people remained in the land for another 11 years the captivity had already started.

Vs.4,5 Jerusalem was under siege for 18 months, starting in January and ending in the July of the following year.

V.6 After an18 month siege, summer had arrived and the residents were starving. Cannibalism was widespread (Jer 19:9).

Vs.10,11 See Jer 39:6,7.

Vs.12,13 The temple was burned in August 586 BC.

V.24 This Seraiah is not the same Seraiah of Jer 51:59-64.

Why are the items of the temple mentioned in particular here (v17-23)? Probably because it signalled the end of Solomon's seat in Jerusalem, which was synonymous with the temple and its glory.

To give an idea of the scale of these items, here's a picture of the bronze pillars in relation to a person: http://www.provelo.co.uk/images/Bronze%20pillars.jpg

These pillars (without capitals) were 75mm thick hollow bronze tubes, around 1.8m diameter and 8m tall. Taking the density of bronze as approx 8000kg/m3 it makes the weight of one pillar 21500 bags of sugar, or 300 adults or 22 Metric Tonnes a piece. No wonder neither Babylon nor Egypt had bothered removing them before!

52:31-34  This section of Jeremiah’s prophecy matches 2Kin 25:27-30which is the historical record of these events

12:25 That there be no schism in the body marks the point that there was schism at Corinth. In fact the schism was about the very issue of the operation of the spirit gifts. The brethren vied with each other to show how the gifts were at work in them.
12:31 'But covet earnestly the best gifts' implies that some gifts are more use than others. The following passage shows that there is an ordering of the spirit gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Ephesians 4:11
Notice the gift of tongues is at the bottom of the list, and notice also that Ephesians 4 provides the reason for the gifts - they were not given for self gratification, this was the problem at Corinth.

13:12 Some of the language in this verse draws on
'glass' Exodus 38:8
'darkly' Numbers 12:8
'face to face' Numbers 12:8
Thus the elements of the law are contrasted with the way in which Moses had close communion with Yahweh. Moses, not the law is our pattern.

ch 13 - Whereas this chapter is often read at weddings to speak of the love that the couple have for each other this is only but one aspect of the love spoken of. Truly the love between a husband and wife is an aspect of the love spoken of in the chapter. However this type of 'love' has to also shown towards our brethren and sisters.

12:28 The use of 'first, secondarily, thirdly,' when speaking of the Spirit gifts we see that there was an hierarchy of Gifts. It is interesting to see that 'tongues' is at the bottom of the list - though many today exult in 'tongues' as if they are the most important - just like was happening at Corinth. The obsession with 'tongues' is a manifestation of pride.

13:12 'darkly' 'face to face' quote Numbers 12:8. The context in Numbers 12 is that there were those who questioned Moses' status as a spokesman for God. So it is most appropriate when thinking of the criticisms Paul experienced in Corinth.

13:4 Not only do we see what charity is not; we see what it is. It "suffereth long" it is patient, a lack of patience was a problem at Corinth. 1Cor 11:33, 1Cor 14:27 ;30. it is "kind". CHRESTEUOMAI (5541) This charactiistic is a fruit of the spirit. "gentleness"  Gal 5:22. It "rejoiceth in the truth". it "endureth all things". it is durable like the word of God. It "never faileth" or as the R.S.V. renders it "love never ends". It is the greatest (v.13) because it encompasses faith and hope, and unlike faith and hope it will continue in the kingdom age.      

The lesson of Ch.13 is extremely important.  We might be doing the right thing, but unless it is done in the right way, it is unacceptable.  We might serve Yahweh because we know it is right and, therefore, our duty to do so.  But unless we serve in love, we are wasting our time.  Duty is one thing, love another. 

And so, let us examine our motives and our attitudes.  Yahweh gave us the opportunity of life through an act of love (John 3:16).  We are to reciprocate by serving Him in love (Matt 22:37-39).  Part of that service is for us to love one another (John 15:12).  Let us not be guilty of acting by duty and not by love, for we do not want to arrive at the judgement seat to be rejected for the wrong attitude (Matt 7:22,23).

12:2-3 Notice the contrast. The idols were dumb, people who were moved by the spirit spoke.

13:7  Following the thought the first time we went through Corinthians this year. Try to put just one of the attributes into practice in daily living. How about ‘bearing all things’ when it comes to our relationship with others?

CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER (v.25)

What is our response when a brother or sister is honored? How do we respond when someone is suffering? We are called to rejoice with those who are rejoicing and weep with those who are weeping. Rom 12:15 Too often, unfortunately, we are jealous of those who rejoice and separate ourselves from those who weep. Believers are in this world together - there is no such thing as private or individualistic Christianity. We can't stop with enjoying only our own relationship with God, we need to get involved in the lives of brethren and sisters.

1Cor 12:25 "members should have the same care one for another"

13:1 It might seem an over simplification to speak so highly of ‘charity’ however if ‘charity’ is manifest other problems take their rightful place – 1Pet 4:8.

13:4-6 Notice the recurring ‘not’. We might have thought it more appropriate to describe ‘charity’ in terms of what should be done rather than what should not be done. However Paul is drawing on inappropriate things that the Corinthians were doing to highlight that such behaviour demonstrated that they did not understand ‘charity'.

12:18 The very diversity amongst believers is the strength and completeness of the #body of Christ’ so we should rejoice in the variety of believers with whom we meet!

12:8-10 There are many spirit gifts mentioned here:

-wisdom
-knowledge
-faith
-healing
-miracles
-prophecy
-discerning of spirits
-speaking foreign languages
-interpreting foreign languages
 
Those who claim to have spirit gifts today seems to either speak in nonsense utterances or attempt to heal the infirm.

12:28 Notice that apostles, prophets, and teachers rank higher than any of the gifts mentioned in 12:8-10. That means, the preaching and teaching of the Word are more important than healing and speaking foreign languages etc.

13:9,10 The spirit gifts were eliminated when their purpose was fulfilled.  That was when the work of the apostles was completed (their witness, preaching, and completion of the New Testament). The gifts could only be passed on by the apostles through the laying on of hands (Acts 8:18).  When the apostles died, and their work completed, then the spirit gifts ceased.

12:18,24,28 Note the repeated use of ‘God hath’ which should cause us to appreciate that He calls who He will to make up His church.