Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Kings 4:38

"And Elisha came again to Gilgal. And there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets." — 2 Kings 4:38 (ASV)

There was a dearth in the land - This should be translated as, “The famine was in the land.” The seven-year famine that Elisha had prophesied (see the marginal reference) had begun.

The sons of the prophets - See 1 Kings 20:35 note. They were sitting before him as scholars before their master, hearing his instructions.