Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Kings 6:28

"And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to-day, and we will eat my son to-morrow." — 2 Kings 6:28 (ASV)

The king had assumed that the woman’s cry was for food. Her manner indicated that this was not the case. He therefore inquired what she wanted from him.

This woman—It seems both women were present, and the aggrieved one pointed to the other.