John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha , etc.] Or the disciples of the prophets, as the Targum: behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us : their numbers were so increased, that there was not room enough for them in the house they dwelt in with the prophet; which increase was owing, the Jews say, to the departure of Gehazi last mentioned, who was a bad man, and used the disciples so ill, that they could not stay in the college; but, when he was gone, they flocked in great numbers; but rather it was owing to the very instructive ministry and wonderful miracles of Elisha: the place where the prophet and his disciples now dwelt seems to be Gilgal, ( 2 Kings 4:38).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - There is that pleasantness in the converse of servants of God, whic can make those who listen to them forget the pain and the weariness of labour. Even the sons of the prophets must not be unwilling to labour Let no man think an honest employment a burden or a disgrace. An labour of the head, is as hard, and very often harder, than labour with the hands. We ought to be careful of that which is borrowed, as of ou own, because we must do as we would be done by. This man was s respecting the axe-head. And to those who have an honest mind, the sorest grievance of poverty is, not so much their own want an disgrace, as being rendered unable to pay just debts. But the Lor cares for his people in their smallest concerns. And God's grace can thus raise the stony iron heart, which is sunk into the mud of thi world, and raise up affections, naturally earthly.
Original Hebrew ויאמרו559 בני1121 הנביאים5030 אל413 אלישׁע477 הנה2009 נא4994 המקום4725 אשׁר834 אנחנו587 ישׁבים3427 שׁם8033 לפניך6440 צר6862 ממנו׃4480
