2 Kings 4:10 kjv
Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
2 Kings 4:10 nkjv
Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there."
2 Kings 4:10 niv
Let's make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us."
2 Kings 4:10 esv
Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there."
2 Kings 4:10 nlt
Let's build a small room for him on the roof and furnish it with a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp. Then he will have a place to stay whenever he comes by."
2 Kings 4 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:1-8 | The Lord appeared to Abraham... three men standing... he ran... 'Let a little water be brought... for you,' and rest yourselves... He took curds and milk... they ate. | Abraham's proactive hospitality to divine messengers. |
| 1 Ki 17:9-16 | Go to Zarephath... a widow there will provide for you... she made him a small bread cake first. | Widow of Zarephath provides for Elijah; act of faith and provision. |
| Matt 10:41 | Whoever receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive... | Promise of reward for welcoming God's servants. |
| Luke 10:38-42 | Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet. | Example of hospitality and receiving Jesus. |
| Acts 16:14-15 | Lydia... the Lord opened her heart... When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house.” | Lydia’s hospitality to Paul and Silas. |
| Rom 12:13 | Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. | Exhortation to practice hospitality for believers. |
| Heb 13:2 | Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. | Reminder of the blessing in showing hospitality. |
| Gal 6:6 | Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. | Support for those who minister the word. |
| Php 4:14-19 | You sent aid once and again for my needs. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. | The Philippians' generous support for Paul's ministry. |
| 1 Tim 5:17-18 | Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox.” | Provision for those who diligently labor in the word. |
| Deut 23:3-6 | An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly... because they did not meet you with food and water on the way when you came out of Egypt. | The inverse: judgment on those who fail to show hospitality. |
| Exo 23:25 | You shall serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water. | God's blessing follows faithful service and provision. |
| 2 Ki 4:11-17 | Elisha inquires what could be done for her... Elisha said, “About this time next year you shall embrace a son.” | Direct consequence of the Shunammite's hospitality and reverence. |
| Prov 11:25 | Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. | Principle of giving leading to receiving blessing. |
| Luke 6:38 | Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over... For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. | Principle of abundant reciprocity for generous giving. |
| Acts 28:7-10 | The leading man of the island, named Publius, received us and entertained us hospitably for three days... when we put to sea, they provided us with everything we needed. | Examples of provision for apostles. |
| Matt 25:34-40 | Come, you who are blessed by my Father... For I was hungry and you gave me food... naked and you clothed me... As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. | Recognizing and serving Jesus in His servants. |
| Ps 84:10 | For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. | Value of dwelling near God's presence, though indirectly, relates to desiring to provide for His prophet. |
| Neh 13:10-14 | I learned that the portions of the Levites had not been given them, so that the Levites and the singers who did the work had fled each to his field. | Importance of supporting and providing for those who serve God. |
| 1 Cor 9:11 | If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? | Principle of recompense for spiritual labor. |
| Mal 3:10 | Bring the full tithe into the storehouse... if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more room to receive it. | The Lord promises abundant blessing for faithfulness in giving. |
| Prov 28:27 | Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. | General principle of generosity leading to provision. |
2 Kings 4 verses
2 Kings 4 10 Meaning
The verse 2 Kings 4:10 records the initiative of the Shunammite woman, who, recognizing Elisha as a "holy man of God," proposes to her husband to construct a dedicated, humble living space for the prophet. This upper room, built onto their house wall, would contain essential furnishings—a bed, a table, a chair, and a lampstand—ensuring that whenever Elisha visited, he would have a private and comfortable place for rest and work. This act highlights deep respect, discerning hospitality, and proactive support for God's messenger, establishing a foundation for the divine reciprocity that follows.
2 Kings 4 10 Context
This verse is part of the narrative of Elisha's ministry in 2 Kings, particularly focusing on his interactions with individuals. Elisha, as the leading prophet in Israel after Elijah's ascension, traveled extensively. Chapter 4 begins by highlighting his miraculous power in providing for a prophet's widow. Then, the scene shifts to Shunem, a town in Issachar. The Shunammite woman is presented as a "wealthy" (or "great") woman, and she and her husband discern Elisha to be a "holy man of God" who frequently passes their home. Her initiative in verse 10 to build a dedicated upper room is not requested by Elisha, but stems from her deep reverence and proactive generosity. This act of hospitality forms the basis for Elisha's subsequent miraculous intercession on her behalf, including the birth of a son to her elderly, childless husband, and later, the son's resurrection from death. Culturally, providing a guest chamber was a known form of hospitality, especially for revered guests, though the building of a separate structure underscores an extraordinary level of dedication and provision. This account demonstrates faithful support for Yahweh's prophet, contrasting with the prevailing apostasy and idol worship during the reign of Jehoram, serving as a quiet polemic through demonstration of true reverence for the God of Israel and His messengers.
2 Kings 4 10 Word analysis
- Let us make: The use of "us" (
na'aseh, נַעֲשֶׂה), a plural verb form, indicates a collaborative decision between the wife and her husband, showing a shared household vision and agreement in supporting the prophet. It highlights communal effort rather than individual whim. - a small upper room: Hebrew:
aliyyah qetannah(עֲלִיָּה קְטַנָּה).aliyyah(עֲלִיָּה): An "upper room" or "roof chamber." Often built on the flat roofs of Israelite homes, these rooms were private, sometimes elevated for cooler air, and could serve as secluded spaces for prayer, study, or retreat. Its "small" (qetannah) designation suggests modesty, focusing on function rather than extravagance, reflecting humility even in generosity.
- on the wall: Hebrew:
al ha-qir(עַל הַקִּיר). This phrase likely indicates that the room would be built directly onto an existing wall of their house or possibly as an addition to an existing structure, integrated into the architecture. This placement signifies permanence and dedication of space within their personal domain. - and let us put a bed for him there: Providing a bed (
mittah, מִטָּה`) was essential for a traveling prophet. It ensured proper rest, a basic necessity for effective ministry, indicating thoughtful care for Elisha's physical well-being. - and a table: Hebrew:
shulchan(שֻׁלְחָן). A table provided a surface for eating, writing, studying scripture, or even laying out small prophetic instruments. It implies a place for nourishment and intellectual or spiritual engagement. - and a chair: Hebrew:
kisseh(כִּסֵּא). A chair was for sitting, rest, and perhaps for teaching or deep contemplation. Along with the table, it forms a basic workstation. - and a lampstand: Hebrew:
menorah(מְנוֹרָה). A lampstand or oil lamp was vital for light, allowing activities to continue into the evening or during early morning hours. It points to a need for Elisha's spiritual and practical work to extend beyond daylight, signifying commitment to continuous service. - so it will be that when he comes to us: This phrase, emphasizing a recurring future action, reveals the woman's desire for Elisha to have a consistent and reliable place of refuge. It highlights an ongoing commitment, not just a one-time gesture.
- he can turn in there: Implies Elisha would have his own private access and space, a place where he could "turn in" (
sar), i.e., lodge or retreat without imposing on the main household or having his privacy compromised. It demonstrates profound respect for the prophet's need for solitude and focused time.
2 Kings 4 10 Bonus section
The precise arrangement of "bed, table, chair, and lampstand" forms a set of minimal, functional items defining a solitary living and working space. This collection implicitly suggests the essential daily rhythm of a holy man: sleep and rest, sustenance, study/meditation, and prayer even in darkness. This simple equipping foreshadows the principle seen throughout Scripture: God’s servants are worthy of adequate provision to enable their full dedication to spiritual tasks. This upper room contrasts with public or temporary shelters, providing Elisha with stability and privacy critical for a prophet constantly engaged in the demanding work of proclaiming God's word in a morally compromised age. It serves as a reminder that genuine support often lies in providing for the mundane, yet essential, needs that facilitate a minister's profound spiritual impact.
2 Kings 4 10 Commentary
The Shunammite woman's actions in 2 Kings 4:10 provide a powerful lesson in practical, discerning, and generous hospitality towards God's messengers. Her initiative stemmed from recognizing Elisha's holy character, not from a direct request or a desire for immediate reciprocity. The provision of a simple yet essential set of furnishings (bed, table, chair, lampstand) speaks to a thoughtful understanding of a traveling prophet's basic needs for rest, sustenance, study, and prayer. This selfless act of creating a sacred space for Elisha within her home honored God's prophet and indirectly honored God Himself. It models a spiritual investment in kingdom work through supporting those whom God has called to ministry, underscoring the truth that those who bless God's anointed will receive a blessing themselves, often beyond their imagination, as evidenced by the subsequent miraculous birth of her son.