# The Shunammite explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The poem recounts the biblical story of the Shunammite woman who, grieving the loss of her son, seeks Elisha's help. Though the prophet's staff laid on the child does nothing, the Lord's power through Elisha's prayer and faith restores the child to life. The poem then applies this as an allegory for spiritual deadness in sin, urging God to work through His preachers to bring life to sinners, acknowledging that while human means are appointed, power and grace belong to God alone.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Affliction

The Shunammite's grief over her son's death and the spiritual deadness of sinners.

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

God's power and grace alone bring life, not human means.

## Character check-ins

### The Shunammite

Grieving mother who seeks Elisha's help and sees her son restored.

### Elisha

Prophet whose prayer and faith, combined with God's power, restore the child.

### God

Almighty power that works through the prophet to bring life.

## Key lines

> He sent his servant on before, To lay a staff upon his head; This he could do, but do no more— He left him as he found him, dead.

Elisha's servant placed the staff on the child's head, but that action had no effect; the child remained dead.

_Human means are insufficient without God's power._

> But when the Lord’s almighty power Wrought with the prophet’s prayer and faith The mother saw a joyful hour— She saw her child restored from death.

When God's power combined with the prophet's prayer and faith, the mother rejoiced as her son was brought back to life.

_God's power works through faith and prayer._

> Thus, like the weeping Shunammite, For many dead in sin we grieve. Now, Lord, display thine arm of might, Cause them to hear thy voice and live.

Just as the Shunammite wept for her dead son, we mourn for those who are spiritually dead in sin. We ask God to show his power and make them hear his voice so they may live.

_Spiritual deadness is likened to physical death, and only God can give life._

> Thy preachers boar the staff in vain, Though at thine own command we go. Lord, we have tried and tried again, We find them dead, and leave them so.

Preachers carry the staff (the Word) in vain, even though we go at God's command. We have tried repeatedly, but sinners remain dead, and we leave them as they are.

_Human effort alone cannot convert sinners._

> Come then thyself—to every heart The glory of thy name make known. The means are our appointed part, The power and grace are thine alone.

Come yourself, Lord, and reveal your glory to every heart. Our part is to use the means you've appointed, but the power and grace are yours alone.

_God must act directly; human means are only instruments._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/13-the-shunammite
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters