Questions about 2 Kings 4: 8-17, reading from KJV?

Question

1. What does "great" in verse 8 mean ?
2. How long was it between the time Elisha spoke this to the woman and the woman conceived ?
3. What does This season according to the time of life mean ?

4. vs. 13 why did she say I dwell among my own people ?

Answer 1

This "great" woman was a godly women who also was well off. She respected Gods Prophet and had the means to build him a room to stay in. The season seems to imply the next year at this time she would give birth so about one year. As to her reply of dwelling among her own people she was being modest in saying she was doing fine had her own place among her own people and did not expect to be repaid by the Prophet for her kindness. That is why the idea came form Gehazi that she had no son.

Answer 2

think there great means Good or well known. it does not give the Time period and the season is Gods timing.
it would be better if you gave us at least some of the quote here you go
2 Kings 4: 8-17
8And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

9And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.

10Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

11And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.

12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.

13And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.

14And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.

15And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.

16And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.

17And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

Answer 3

Hi.
Hmmmm, good questions.
verse8-great.......it appears that she has servants, and maybe the queen? She is in the chamber....and has provided extras for Eli.
9 months or so most likely, unless pregnancy was diff, though unlikely.