2 Kings 4 · Verse 13

2 Kings 4:13

And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
2 Kings 4:13, King James Version

2 Kings 4:13 in other translations

BSBand Elisha said to Gehazi, “Now tell her, ‘Look, you have gone to all this trouble for us. What can we do for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’” “I have a home among my own people,” she replied.
WEBHe said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Behold, you have cared for us with all this care. What is to be done for you? Would you like to be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.”
ASVAnd he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
YLTAnd he saith to him, ‘Say, I pray thee, unto her, Lo, thou hast troubled thyself concerning us with all this trouble; what--to do for thee? is it to speak for thee unto the king, or unto the head of the host?' and she saith, ‘In the midst of my people I am dwelling.'
DARBYAnd he said to him, Say now to her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she said, I dwell among mine own people.
BBEAnd he said to him, Now say to her, See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? will you have any request made for you to the king or the captain of the army? But she said, I am living among my people.
WebsterAnd he said to him, Say now to her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldst thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among my own people.

What does 2 Kings 4:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 4:13-16
13-16. what is to be done for thee?--Wishing to testify his gratitude for the hospitable attentions of this family, he announced to her the birth of a son "about this time next year." The interest and importance of such an intelligence can only be estimated by considering that Oriental women, and Jewish in particular, connect ideas of disgrace with barrenness, and cherish a more ardent desire for children than women in any other part of the world (Ge 18:10-15). 2Ki 4:18-37. Raises Her Dead Son.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 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 neighbors, 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, etc.? 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 honorable? How few are there that will not sacrifice every thing - peace, domestic comfort, their friends, their conscience, and their God - for money, honors, grandeur, and parade?

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Kings 4:8-17

Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his late services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving others, as in raising himself. But the Shunammite needed not any good offices of this kind. It is a happiness to dwell among our own people, that love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. It would be well with many, if they did but know when they are really well off. The Lord sees…

Read the full comment on 2 Kings 4:8-17 →

2 Kings 4:13 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merand he saidH559
ל֗וֹloto him
אֱמָר\־'e.mor-sayH559
נָ֣אna'pleaseH4994
אֵלֶיהָ֮'e.lei.Hato herH413
הִנֵּ֣הhi.Nehhere!H2009
חָרַ֣דְתְּ\׀cha.Radtyou have taken careH2729
אֵלֵינוּ֮'e.lei.Nuto usH413
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
כָּל\־kol-allH3605
הַחֲרָדָ֣הha.cha.ra.Dahthe careH2731
הַזֹּאת֒ha.zoT<the> thisH2063
מֶ֚הmehwhat?H4100
לַעֲשׂ֣וֹתla.'a.Sot[is] to doH6213
לָ֔ךְLakhfor you
הֲיֵ֤שׁha.Yesh¿ [is] thereH3426
לְדַבֶּר\־le.da.ber-to speakH1696
לָךְ֙loKhfor you
אֶל\־'el-toH413
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְha.Me.lekhthe kingH4428
א֖וֹ'oor?H176
אֶל\־'el-toH413
שַׂ֣רsar[the] commander ofH8269
הַצָּבָ֑אha.tza.Va'the armyH6635
וַתֹּ֕אמֶרva.To.merand she saidH559
בְּת֥וֹךְbe.Tokhin amongH8432
עַמִּ֖י'a.Miown people myH5971
אָנֹכִ֥י'a.no.KhiIH595
יֹשָֽׁבֶת\׃yo.Sha.vet[am] dwellingH3427

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Kings 4:13

  • 2 Timothy 1:16-18

    The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

  • Philippians 4:18-19

    But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

  • Hebrews 6:10

    For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

  • 1 Timothy 6:6-8

    But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

    And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

  • Romans 16:6

    Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

  • Hebrews 13:5

    Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

  • Romans 16:2

    That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

  • 2 Samuel 19:13

    And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

  • Matthew 10:40-42

    He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

  • Psalms 37:3

    Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

  • 2 Kings 8:3-6

    And it came to pass at the seven years’ end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land. And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done. And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
thou hast.
Mt 10:40-42; Lu 9:3-5; Ro 16:2,6; Php 4:18,19; 1Th 5:12,13
2Ti 1:16-18; Heb 6:10
to the king.
3:15-18; 8:3-6; Ge 14:24; 2Sa 19:32-38
to the captain.
9:5; 2Sa 19:13; 1Ki 2:32
I dwell.
1Ti 6:6-8; Heb 13:5
among mine.
8:1; Ru 1:1-4; Ps 37:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Kings 4:12

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

  • 2 Kings 4:13

    And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.

  • 2 Kings 4:14

    And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.

Read all of 2 Kings 4

2 Kings 4:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y dijo él á Giezi: Dile: He aquí tú has estado solícita por nosotros con todo este esmero: ¿qué quieres que haga por ti? ¿has menester que hable por ti al rey, ó al general del ejército? Y ella respondió: Yo habito en medio de mi pueblo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et il dit à Guéhazi: Dis-lui, je te prie: Voici, tu as montré pour nous tout cet empressement; qu’y a-t-il à faire pour toi? Faut-il parler pour toi au roi, ou au chef de l’armée? Et elle dit: J’habite au milieu de mon peuple.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und er sprach zu ihm: Sprich doch zu ihr: Siehe, du hast dir unsertwegen alle diese Sorge gemacht; was ist für dich zu tun? Ist für dich mit dem König zu reden oder mit dem Heerobersten? Und sie sprach: Ich wohne inmitten meines Volkes.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
dixit ad puerum suum: Loquere ad eam: Ecce, sedule in omnibus ministrasti nobis: quid vis ut faciam tibi? numquid habes negotium, et vis ut loquar regi, sive principi militiæ? Quæ respondit: In medio populi mei habito.