Charles Ellicott Commentary 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 (ASV)

And he said to him — that is, Elisha, as he lay on the bed (2 Kings 4:11), had charged Gehazi to say this when he called their hostess. It is hardly likely that Elisha communicated with her through his servant in order to save his own dignity. He may have thought she would express her wishes more freely to Gehazi than to himself.

You have been careful ... with all this care. —Literally, trembled all this trembling. Compare to Luke 10:41 (τυρβάζῃ).

Would you be spoken for to the king? —Literally, is it to speak for you to the king? that is, do you stand in need of an advocate at court? Is there any boon you desire from the king? This shows what influence Elisha enjoyed at the time: but it does not prove that Jehu, whom he anointed, was already on the throne, for Jehoram respected and probably feared the prophet.

The captain of the host. —The commander-in-chief, who was the most powerful person next to the king.

I dwell among my own people. —Literally, In the midst of my people I am dwelling — namely, far from the court and courtly interests. I have nothing to seek from such exalted personages; I am a mere commoner living quietly in the country.