Charles Ellicott 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)

And Elisha came again.—Now Elisha had returned, commencing a new narrative. The word “return” refers to the prophet’s annual visit. (Compare to 2 Kings 4:25, and 2 Kings 2:1, Notes.) The story is not placed in chronological sequence with the preceding one.

And there was a dearth.—And the famine was.

The sons of the prophets were sitting before him.—As disciples before a master; probably in a common hall, which served for lectures, work, and as a dining room. (Compare to 2 Kings 6:1; Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 14:1; Acts 22:3.)

His servant.—Perhaps not Gehazi, but one of the sons of the prophets. As in 2 Kings 4:43.

Seethe pottage.—Genesis 25:29.