2 Kings 4:13

Contextual Overview

⁸One day Elisha went to Shunem. A prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to eat some food. So whenever he passed by, he stopped there to eat. ⁸ It fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. So it was, that as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat bread. ⁸ And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. ⁸ One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. ⁸ One day Elisha went to Shunem, where an important woman lived. She begged Elisha to stay and eat. So every time Elisha passed by, he stopped there to eat. ⁸ One day Elisha traveled to Shunem, where a prominent woman lived. She insisted that he stop for a meal. So whenever he was passing through, he would stop in there for a meal. ⁸Now there came a day when Elisha went over to Shunem, where there was a prominent and influential woman, and she persuaded him to eat a meal. Afterward, whenever he passed by, he stopped there for a meal. ⁸ Now a day came when Elisha went over to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman, and she urged him to eat food. And so it was, as often as he passed by, that he turned in there to eat food. ⁸ And on a time Elisha came to Shunem, and there a woman of great estimation constrained him to eate bread: and as he passed by, he turned in thither to eate bread. ⁸Now there came a day when Elisha passed over to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman, and she prevailed upon him to eat food. Now it happened, as often as he passed by, that he turned in there to eat food.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

thou hast: Matthew 10:40-42, Luke 9:3-5, Romans 16:2, Romans 16:6, Philippians 4:18, Philippians 4:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:13, 2 Timothy 1:16-18, Hebrews 6:10

to the king: 2 Kings 3:15-18, 2 Kings 8:3-6, Genesis 14:24, 2 Samuel 19:32-38

to the captain: 2 Kings 9:5, 2 Samuel 19:13, 1 Kings 2:32

I dwell: 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Hebrews 13:5

among mine: 2 Kings 8:1, Ruth 1:1-4, Psalms 37:3

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 19:2 - I will show

Cross-References

Job 15:22
He doesn’t believe he will return from darkness;he is destined for the sword.

Job 15:22
He doesn't believe that he shall return out of darkness, He is waited for by the sword.

Job 15:22
He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.

Job 15:22
He does not believe that he will return out of darkness, and he is marked for the sword.

Job 15:22
Evil people give up trying to escape from the darkness; it has been decided that they will die by the sword.

Job 15:22
He does not expect to escape from darkness; he is marked for the sword;

Job 15:22
"He does not believe that he will return out of the darkness [for fear of being murdered], And he is destined for the sword [of God's vengeance].

Job 15:22
"He does not believe that he will return from darkness, And he is destined for the sword.

Job 15:22
He doesn't believe that he shall return out of darkness, He is waited for by the sword.

Job 15:22
He beleeueth not to returne out of darknesse: for he seeth the sworde before him.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Thou hast been careful for us - For the prophet and his servant, who must have been lodged as well as his master.

I dwell among mine own people - The woman declines Elisha’s offer. She has no wrong to complain of, no quarrel with any neighbor, in respect of which she might need the help of one in power. She “dwells among her own people” - her friends, and dependents, with whom she lives peaceably.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Kings 4:13. Wouldest thou be spoken for to the king — Elisha must have had considerable influence with the king, from the part he took in the late war with the Moabites. Jehoram had reason to believe that the prophet, under God, was the sole cause of his success, and therefore he could have no doubt that the king would grant him any reasonable request.

Or to the captain of the host? — As if he had said, Wilt thou that I should procure thee and thy husband a place at court, or get any of thy friends a post in the army?

I dwell among mine own people. — I am perfectly satisfied and contented with my lot in life; I live on the best terms with my neighbours, and am here encompassed with my kindred, and feel no disposition to change my connections or place of abode.

How few are there like this woman on the earth! Who would not wish to be recommended to the king's notice, or get a post for a relative in the army, c.? Who would not like to change the country for the town, and the rough manners of the inhabitants of the villages for the polished conversation and amusements of the court? Who is so contented with what he has as not to desire more? Who trembles at the prospect of riches or believes there are any snares in an elevated state, or in the company and conversation of the great and honourable? How few are there that will not sacrifice every thing-peace, domestic comfort, their friends, their conscience, and their God-for money, honours, grandeur, and parade?