2 Kings 4:13

And he said unto him i.e. Elisha to Gehazi. The prophet does not himself address the woman. Most likely, in all things which he required, Gehazi was his messenger to the house, and so the woman would more readily reply to him than to his master. It is clear from what follows that Gehazi was acquainted with the family concerns. There may have been also in Elisha's mind somewhat of the feeling which the disciples of Christ had (John 4:27) when -they marvelled that their Master was speaking with a woman".

thou hast been careful for us with all this care Both the noun and verb in the original are used of -fear" and -trembling". (Cf. Martha's care and trouble, Luke 10:41.) Hence R.V. in margin gives -hast shewed us all this reverence". The use of such words bears out what has just been said of the distance kept between Elisha and the family at Shunem, though they were his entertainers. The verb is used for that fear which came over the guests of Adonijah (1 Kings 1:49) when they found that David had caused Solomon to be proclaimed king. The LXX. recognises the strong meaning of the verb and gives ἐξέστησας ἡμῖν πᾶσαν τὴν ἔκστασιν ταύτην.

wouldest thou be spoken for, &c. The prophet offers to use his influence, if it can be of any service to his hostess, with the powers of the land. And we cannot but be struck all through his history with the close intimacy which existed between Elisha and the royal family. This was more likely to occur in the reign of Jehoram, than under his brother's rule or his father's. But even of him it is recorded (2 Kings 3:2) that he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and in the expedition against Moab, Elisha declares (2 Kings 3:14) that but for the sake of Jehoshaphat he would not waste even a look on Jehoram. There must have been still a great deal of zeal for Jehovah in the northern kingdom to support the prophet, or after such a declaration he would have had little influence with the king, whereas it is the first thing that comes to his mind as a means of rewarding the attention of the Shunammite. On this Bp Hall remarks: -It is a good hearing that an Elisha is in such grace at the court, that he can promise himself access to the king, in a friend's suit. It was not ever thus. The time was when his master heard, "Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?" Now the late miracle which Elisha wrought, in gratifying the three kings with water and victory, hath endeared him to the king of Israel; and now, Who but Elisha?"

or to the captain of the host If we may take Joab, in David's time, as an example, this officer possessed immense influence. The same opinion would be formed from the history of Abner, who was captain of Saul's host, and so powerful as to be able to bring the tribes who had favoured Ishbosheth over to the side of David (2 Samuel 3:8-12).

And she answered, I dwell among mine own people If the king or the captain of the host were to be appealed to, it must be for some case of hardship and oppression. The Shunammite shews she has no necessity of this kind, for all those among whom she lives are friends and relatives. There is no foe to ask protection against, and the kindred are enough to secure her against enemies.