Name Old Testament Known
Shunammites
Shunammites
שׁוּנַמִּית shu.nam.mit
Shunammites (Hebrew: שׁוּנַמִּית, shu.nam.mit) is a biblical name; its Hebrew etymology is not securely established. It appears in 8 verses across 2 books of the Bible. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears with Abiathar in 1 Kings 2.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Shunammites
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 8 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Kings 1:3 |
| Last appears | 2 Kings 4:36 |
| Cross-references | 66 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Abishag co-occurrence Appears with Abishag in 1 Kings 2.
- Gehazi co-occurrence Appears with Gehazi in 2 Kings 4.
- Adonijah co-occurrence Appears with Adonijah in 1 Kings 2.
- Bathsheba co-occurrence Appears with Bathsheba in 1 Kings 1.
- Rei co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Rei.
- Zeruiah co-occurrence Appears with Zeruiah in 1 Kings 2.
- Abiathar co-occurrence Appears with Abiathar in 1 Kings 2.
- Haggith co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Haggith.
Origin & meaning
People descended from Shunam(?), first mentioned at 1Ki.1.3
§ Shunammite, of Shunen "double resting place"
an inhabitant of Shunem
Shunammites, inhabitants of Shunem, including Abishag, David's nurse, and the Shunammite woman, Elisha's benefactor.
The biblical story
Shunammites were inhabitants of the town of Shunem, located in the territory of Issachar. The Bible mentions two notable Shunammite women. The first is Abishag, a beautiful young woman who was brought to King David in his old age to serve as his nurse and companion. After David's death, his son Adonijah requested to marry Abishag, which was seen as a bid for the throne and led to his downfall. The second Shunammite woman was a wealthy lady who showed kindness to the prophet Elisha, providing him with a room in her house. When her son died, Elisha miraculously raised him back to life as a reward for her generosity. The Shunammites' appearances in the Bible highlight their hospitality and the significant roles they played in the lives of influential figures like King David and Elisha.
Key verses
Shunammites appears in 8 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
1 Kings 1:3 -
And Bath–sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.
1 Kings 1:15 -
And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife.
1 Kings 2:17 -
And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.
1 Kings 2:21 -
And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.
1 Kings 2:22
Show all 8 references
1 Kings (5)
- 1 Kings 1:3
- 1 Kings 1:15
- 1 Kings 2:17
- 1 Kings 2:21
- 1 Kings 2:22
2 Kings (3)
- 2 Kings 4:12
- 2 Kings 4:25
- 2 Kings 4:36