King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 4:10 Mean?

2 Kings 4:10 in the King James Version says “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, an...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Prayer

Context

8

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. it fell on a day: Heb. there was a day constrained him: Heb. laid hold on him

9

And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.

10

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.

11

And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.

12

And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.

Read 2 Kings 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 4 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Elisha's Miracles of Provision and Life) reflects the historical reality of God's compassionate provision through prophetic miracles while both kingdoms struggled with persistent idolatry. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 4 regarding god's compassionate power through his prophet?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
נַֽעֲשֶׂה1 of 17

“Let us make”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

נָּ֤א2 of 17
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

עֲלִיַּת3 of 17

“chamber”

H5944

something lofty, i.e., a stair-way; also a second-story room (or even one on the roof); figuratively, the sky

קִיר֙4 of 17

“I pray thee on the wall”

H7023

a wall (as built in a trench)

קְטַנָּ֔ה5 of 17

“a little”

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

וְנָשִׂ֨ים6 of 17

“and let us set”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

ל֥וֹ7 of 17
H0
שָׁ֛ם8 of 17
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

מִטָּ֥ה9 of 17

“for him there a bed”

H4296

a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier

וְשֻׁלְחָ֖ן10 of 17

“and a table”

H7979

a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal

וְכִסֵּ֣א11 of 17

“and a stool”

H3678

properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)

וּמְנוֹרָ֑ה12 of 17

“and a candlestick”

H4501

a chandelier

וְהָיָ֛ה13 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּבֹא֥וֹ14 of 17

“and it shall be when he cometh”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלֵ֖ינוּ15 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יָס֥וּר16 of 17

“to us that he shall turn”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

שָֽׁמָּה׃17 of 17
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 4:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 4:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 12:13Matthew 10:41-42Matthew 25:40Hebrews 10:241 Peter 4:9-10Hebrews 13:2

Test Your Knowledge

2 Kings 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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