Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Kings 4

The creditor is come ... - The Law of Moses, like Athenian and Roman law, recognized servitude for debt and allowed for the pledging of the debtor’s person, which, in an early state of society, is regarded as the safest and most natural security (see the marginal reference). In the present case, it would seem that as long as the debtor lived, the creditor had not enforced his right over his sons; but now on his death, he claimed their services, to which he was legally entitled.

A pot of oil—Or, “an anointing of oil,” meaning enough oil for a single anointing of my person. The word used occurs only in this passage.

And it fell on a day - This original expression, which occurs three times in the narrative (2 Kings 4:11, 18), is also found in Job 1:6, 13; and Job 2:1. The nature of the phrase perhaps supports the view that the author of Kings collected his account of Elisha's miracles from various sources and, in each case, preserved the words of the original writer.

A great woman - That is, “a rich woman.” Compare 1 Samuel 25:2 and 2 Samuel 19:32.

A little chamber on the wall - The room probably projected like a balcony beyond the lower apartments, which is a common arrangement in the East.

A stool - This should be translated as “a chair.” The presence of a “chair” and “table,” which were unusual in the sleeping rooms of the East, indicates that the prophet was expected to use his apartment for study and retirement, not only as a sleeping chamber.

You have been careful for us — For the prophet and his servant, who must have been lodged as well as his master.

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