2 Kings 4:10

10 let us make a small enclosed room [upstairs] and put a bed, table, chair, and lampstand there for him, so that when he comes to us, he can turn and stay there.

2 Kings 4:10 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 4:10

Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall
Either of the city, to which their house might join, or of their garden, a little distance from the house; though the Jewish writers commonly understand it of a little edifice built up of walls of stone or bricks, and not one with reeds, or stud and mud:

let us set for him there a bed;
that he may stay all night when he pleases:

and a table;
not only to eat his food, but to write on, and lay his books on he reads. Of the table of a scholar of the wise men, in later times, we are told F20, that two thirds of it were covered with a cloth, and the other third was uncovered, on which stood the plates and the herbs:

and a stool;
to sit upon at table:

and a candlestick;
with a candle in it, to light him in the night to read by, and the like:

and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither;
where he would be free from the noise of the house, and be more retired for prayer, reading, meditation, and study, and not be disturbed with the servants of the family, and be mixed with them; all this she contrived, both for his honour, and for his quietness and peace.


FOOTNOTES:

F20 Pirke Eliezer, c. 33.

2 Kings 4:10 In-Context

8 It happened one day that Elisha passed through to Shunem where there [was] a wealthy woman, and she urged him to eat bread; so it happened each time he passed through, he would stop there to eat.
9 She said to her husband, "Please now, I know that he [is] a holy man of God who is passing {our way} regularly;
10 let us make a small enclosed room [upstairs] and put a bed, table, chair, and lampstand there for him, so that when he comes to us, he can turn and stay there.
11 One day it happened that he came there and went to the upper room and lay down there.
12 He said to Gehazi his servant, "Call to this Shunammite," so he called to her, and she stood before him.
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