Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Kings 4:8-17

"And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God, that passeth by us continually. Let us make, I pray thee, a little chamber on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a seat, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber and lay there. And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. 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. And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no son, and her husband is old. And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. And he said, At this season, when the time cometh round, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thy handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season, when the time came round, as Elisha had said unto her." — 2 Kings 4:8-17 (ASV)

Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his recent services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving others as in raising himself. But the Shunammite did not need any assistance of this kind.

It is a happiness to live among our own people, who love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. Many would be better off if they only knew when they are truly well off.

The Lord sees the secret wish that is suppressed in obedience to his will, and he will hear the prayers of his servants on behalf of their benefactors by sending unasked-for and unexpected mercies; nor should the professions of men of God be thought deceptive, like those of men of the world.