2 Kings 4:1

Of the wives. This is an important revelation concerning the nature of the “sons of the prophets.” They were not young, unmarried men, living lives of seclusion in monastic establishments; they were men of the people. They were of the people, lived with the people, and labored for the people. Instead of being interested only in themselves, living together in ascetic communities and seeking there to attain unto holiness, they lived for the good of the nation, seeking not their own material gain but the common good of all about them.

Fear the Lord. This man was a faithful worshiper of Jehovah. The influence of Elijah and Elisha had done much to promote the worship of the true God throughout the kingdom of Israel.

The creditor is come. The law of Moses recognized servitude for debt, not as a “bondservant” but “as an hired servant, and as a sojourner,” and required that the individual thus sold serve only till the year of jubilee (Lev. 25:39-42). In the present instance it would seem that the creditor had not enforced his right over the sons during the lifetime of the debtor, but on his death made claim upon their services, that the obligation of the father might be fulfilled.