2 Kings 4:14

14 So he said, "What then is to be done for her?" And Gehazi answered, "Truly she has no son and her husband is old."

2 Kings 4:14 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 4:14

And he said
That is, Elisha to Gehazi, when he returned to him, and told him what the Shunammite said:

what then is to be done for her?
something he thought should be done in gratitude, the favours they had received, and advises with his servant what could be thought of, he being one about the house:

and Gehazi answered, verily she hath no child, and her husband is old;
and so not likely to have any by him; as children were always very desirable by women, and especially in those days, the servant suggests, that no doubt to have one would be very acceptable to her.

2 Kings 4:14 In-Context

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

13 He said to him, "Say now to her, 'Behold, you have been careful for us with all this care; what can I do for you? Would you be spoken for to the king or to the captain of the army?' " And she answered, "I live among my own people."

14 So he said, "What then is to be done for her?" And Gehazi answered, "Truly she has no son and her husband is old."

15 He said, "Call her." When he had called her, she stood in the doorway.

16 Then he said, "At this season next year you will embrace a son." And she said, "No, my lord , O man of God, do not lie to your maidservant."

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "said"