2 Kings 4:13

13 And he said unto Gehazi, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been diligent for us with all this care; what shall I do for thee? Dost thou have need that I speak for thee unto the king or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among my own people.

2 Kings 4:13 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 4:13

And he said unto him
, To Gehazi, before he went to call her:

say now unto her, behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this
care;
in building a chamber, and furnishing it with proper household goods, and providing food for them from time to time:

what is to be done for thee?
can anything be thought of by thee that will be acceptable, and in my masters power to do for thee, or thy husband?

wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host?
that her husband might be promoted to some post in the court, or in the camp; intimating, that if either of these was agreeable, Elisha would speak on his behalf, having interest in both through his services in Edom:

and she answered, I will dwell among my own people
she was content and satisfied with her present state of life, and the situation she was in, and with her friends and neighbours she lived among, and did not care to remove, though it was to a higher rank of life, and to greater dignity and honour; and she had no suit to make to the king or general, nothing to complain of; and she had friends enough to speak for her, should she want any assistance.

2 Kings 4:13 In-Context

11 And it came to pass one day that he came there, and he turned into the chamber and slept there.

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

13 And he said unto Gehazi, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been diligent for us with all this care; what shall I do for thee? Dost thou have need that I speak for thee unto the king or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among my own people.

14 And he said, What then shall we do for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she has no child, and her husband is old.

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