Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Notice how the woman's repeated "All is well" doesn't just mean everything is fine, but that it's complete and in order. This powerful, almost defiant, assertion in the face of overwhelming tragedy reveals a deep trust that God's purposes, even when unseen, are ultimately secure. It’s a testament to a faith that transcends circumstances.
Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Shunammite woman has just rushed out to find the prophet Elisha because her son, whom Elisha had promised, has died and is lying on his bed. Elisha, hearing the dire news, is rushing back to her home with his servant Gehazi to deal with the situation. This brief exchange happens as Elisha eagerly seeks her out, wanting to know the full extent of the tragedy before he arrives.
Have you ever felt pressured to say everything is okay, even when your world is crumbling? This woman's simple answer reveals a deep struggle.
This encounter happens when the Shunammite woman is in deep distress. Her only son, her hope and future, has suddenly died. Yet, when the man of God, Elisha, calls out to her from a distance, her immediate response is, 'All is well.' This isn't a denial of her pain, but a courageous act of dignity and faith. She doesn't want to burden Elisha or appear weak. It's a way of saying, 'I am holding on, even though it feels like everything is falling apart.'
Holding Onto Hope
In moments of crisis, we might adopt a similar posture. We present a brave face, not out of deception, but because we are clinging to the belief that God can still bring good, even when circumstances scream otherwise. It's a testament to the quiet strength found in trusting God when we can't see the way forward.
Elisha sensed something was deeply wrong, even before the woman spoke the full truth. How did he know?
Elisha doesn't just take her surface-level answer at face value. From a distance, he calls out, asking about her well-being, her husband's, and her son's. Her reply, 'All is well,' is polite but perhaps a bit too quick, a bit too clipped. The text implies Elisha's spiritual sensitivity perceived the undertones of her distress. He presses further, not to expose her, but out of genuine pastoral care.
God Sees the Unseen
His immediate follow-up, 'Did I not go with you when my servant Gehazi ran after her?' shows he's recalling a prior event where she showed him kindness. This connection fuels his concern. Elisha demonstrates that true care involves looking beyond the immediate response to discern the deeper reality, a reflection of God’s own intimate knowledge of our hearts.
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Understand the original words
shalom · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew word literally means "peace" or "wholeness." Biblically, it refers not just to the absence of conflict but to a state of completeness, soundness, welfare, and harmonious relationship with God and others.
The woman's calm "All is well" in the face of overwhelming grief highlights an extraordinary faith, trusting in God's ultimate purposes even when His immediate actions are heartbreakingly painful.
c. 870 BC
Elisha's Ministry Begins
Elisha, Elijah's successor, begins his prophetic ministry in the northern kingdom of Israel during a time of spiritual decline and political instability.
c. 860 BC
Shunammite Woman's Hospitality
A prominent Shunammite woman and her husband show hospitality to Elisha, providing him with a room and sustenance.
c. 859 BC
Prophecy of a Son
In gratitude, Elisha prophecies that the childless couple will have a son within a year, a promise that is fulfilled.
c. 858 BC
Death of the Son
Tragically, the young son falls ill and dies, causing immense grief to the mother.
c. 858 BC— this verse
The Mother Seeks Elisha
The Shunammite woman, despite her profound sorrow, journeys to find Elisha at Mount Carmel, seeking his help.
c. 858 BC
Resurrection of the Son
Elisha, through God's power, miraculously restores the child's life, and the boy is returned to his overjoyed mother.
This passage celebrates the wife of noble character whose husband trusts her completely because she brings him good, not harm. The Shunammite woman's desperate situation starkly contrasts with this ideal, highlighting her faith that 'all is well' even when it's clearly not.
Job 1:18-19Job's children are killed in a sudden disaster, and he, like the Shunammite woman, faces overwhelming grief. His reaction, however, differs greatly from her quiet 'All is well,' revealing different ways people grapple with unimaginable loss.
Jeremiah 6:14This verse denounces prophets who falsely claim 'Peace, peace!' when there is no peace. The Shunammite woman's declaration, spoken in a moment of profound personal crisis, is not a false prophecy but a profound act of faith in God's hidden purposes.
Matthew 13:21Jesus speaks of those who receive the word with joy but have no root, falling away when trouble arises. The Shunammite woman, by saying 'All is well,' demonstrates a deep root of faith that endures even when the 'trouble' of losing her son seems insurmountable.
Notice how the woman's repeated "All is well" doesn't just mean everything is fine, but that it's complete and in order. This powerful, almost defiant, assertion in the face of overwhelming tragedy reveals a deep trust that God's purposes, even when unseen, are ultimately secure. It’s a testament to a faith that transcends circumstances.
The Shunammite woman has just rushed out to find the prophet Elisha because her son, whom Elisha had promised, has died and is lying on his bed. Elisha, hearing the dire news, is rushing back to her home with his servant Gehazi to deal with the situation. This brief exchange happens as Elisha eagerly seeks her out, wanting to know the full extent of the tragedy before he arrives.
The Shunammite woman has just rushed out to find the prophet Elisha because her son, whom Elisha had promised, has died and is lying on his bed. Elisha, hearing the dire news, is rushing back to her home with his servant Gehazi to deal with the situation. This brief exchange happens as Elisha eagerly seeks her out, wanting to know the full extent of the tragedy before he arrives.
"Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.”" — Notice how the woman's repeated "All is well" doesn't just mean everything is fine, but that it's complete and in order. This powerful, almost defiant, assertion in the face of overwhelming tra…
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Last reviewed October 2026