2 Kings 4:13 - Exposition

And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful— literally, anxious — for us with all this care —or, anxiety ; i.e. thou hast taken all this trouble in lodging both me and my servant, and in attending on us— what is to be done for thee? or, What is there that thou wouldest have done for thee ? Is there anything that we can do for thee in return? Wouldest thou be spoken for to the king? Elisha assumes that he has credit at court, and offers to use it in the Shunammite's favor, if she has any request to prefer. We see something of his influence in 2 Kings 6:9-12 , 2 Kings 6:21-23 ; 2 Kings 8:4-6 . Or to the captain of the host? i.e. the person whose authority and influence was next to that of the king. And she answered, I dwell among mine own people ; i.e. "The court is nothing to me. I want nothing from it. I have no wrong to complain of, no quarrel with any of my neighbors, so as to need the help of one m power. I dwell peaceably among them. They are 'my own people'—friends or dependents." The reply is that of one perfectly content with her position. Perhaps she aims at impressing on Elisha that she has had no selfish motive in what she has done for him, but has merely wished to honor God in his prophet.