We read in the fourth chapter of II Kings that "a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets" cried unto Elisha for help when a creditor came to take her two sons as bondmen in payment of debts. It is recorded that he answered her, "What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house?"
No doubt the thought of the woman was very much the same as that of many mortals today. Her dependence had been placed in her husband, and as she told the prophet, he "did fear the Lord." Now, not only had she been bereft of his support, but it seemed that in order to meet her debts her two sons were to be given as bondsmen to her creditor.
The spiritual insight of the prophet at once detected the woman's limited thought. His first question, "What shall I do for thee?" seemed almost to echo her cry. But note how it is followed with, "What hast thou in the house?" The thought which was believing itself widowed, and separated from God, man's creator and preserver, must be awakened from its belief of dependence on persons.
