2 Kings 4:10

10 Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that he can stay there whenever he comes to us."

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 One day Elisha was passing through Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to have a meal. So whenever he passed that way, he would stop there for a meal.
9 She said to her husband, "Look, I am sure that this man who regularly passes our way is a holy man of God.
10 Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that he can stay there whenever he comes to us."
11 One day when he came there, he went up to the chamber and lay down there.
12 He said to his servant Gehazi, "Call the Shunammite woman." When he had called her, she stood before him.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.