The Kingdom of Israel was often very prosperous. This was a blessing, but it was also a problem. People ignored God a lot, and did whatever they wanted. Her husband was like a lot of people in richer countries.
They weren’t filthy rich. But, they had servants and land. They certainly didn’t have to beg. The Shunammite woman had a comfortable life. But, the prosperity that they experienced probably caused her husband to think that he didn’t need God.
That’s guesswork, of course. But, it would match the attitude of many. Israel was very rich, but God was very upset. Some fifty years later, another prophet lamented that there was “no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.” (Hosea 4:1)
All that wealth had made many people forget that nothing is more important than God. Jesus, God Himself, once asked what good it did anyone if “he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matt. 16:26.) It doesn’t do any good, does it? The world will only last a short while. But, your soul lives forever after you die. Thankfully, we have the promise that God will never leave us or forsake us. He would never give up on you, because He loves you. He will give you all you need. So, you can certainly be “content with such things as ye have.” (Heb. 13:5) God will bless you – but with spiritual blessings, not necessarily worldly ones.
