But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him? This son of a murderer - Jehoram, the son of Ahab and Jezebel. But Ahab is called a murderer because of the murder of Naboth.
Shut the door - He was obliged to make use of this method for his personal safety, as the king was highly incensed.
The sound of his master's feet behind him? - That is, King Jehoram is following his messenger, that he may see him take off my head.