2 Kings 4 22

2 Kings 4:22 kjv

And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.

2 Kings 4:22 nkjv

Then she called to her husband, and said, "Please send me one of the young men and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and come back."

2 Kings 4:22 niv

She called her husband and said, "Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return."

2 Kings 4:22 esv

Then she called to her husband and said, "Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again."

2 Kings 4:22 nlt

She sent a message to her husband: "Send one of the servants and a donkey so that I can hurry to the man of God and come right back."

2 Kings 4 verses

2 Kings 4 22 Meaning

2 Kings 4:22 captures the Shunammite woman's immediate, resolute, and faith-driven response to the death of her son. She urgently requested practical means—a servant and a donkey—from her husband, not revealing the devastating news, but stating her clear purpose: to swiftly reach "the man of God," Elisha, believing he held the key to resolution and her son's restoration. Her actions convey profound trust in divine intervention through the prophet.

2 Kings 4 22 Context

This verse is situated immediately after the tragic death of the Shunammite woman's beloved son, miraculously granted to her by God through the prophet Elisha (2 Kgs 4:8-17). Her son, a gift of grace, suddenly collapses and dies (2 Kgs 4:18-20). Her first, instinctual, and deeply faithful act is not to grieve openly or prepare the body for burial, but to lay her dead son on Elisha's bed in her house (2 Kgs 4:21) and then seek out the prophet without delay. Historically, the "man of God" or prophet served as a direct link between God and His people, often acting as intercessors, healers, and bearers of divine revelation. The woman's urgent demand for transport directly signifies her absolute conviction in Elisha's God-given power to restore life, recalling Elijah's similar miracle with the widow's son in Zarephath (1 Kgs 17). She chooses a direct, determined, and spiritually-focused path over immediate mourning, reflecting an extraordinary level of faith.

2 Kings 4 22 Word analysis

• Then she called to her husband: This phrase (וַתִּקְרָא אֶל־אִישָׁהּ, vat-tiqra el-ishah) indicates an immediate, decisive, and deliberate action. She addresses him directly and urgently, implying a matter of high priority without immediate explanation of the profound tragedy. Her address demonstrates her initiative and resolve in a moment of extreme distress.
• "Please send me": (שִׁלְחָה־נָּא לִי, shilkhah-na li) This imperative carries a tone of strong request or command, softened by na (please). It shows her practical determination to secure the necessary resources for her mission without delay or argument. She knows exactly what she needs.
• "one of the young men": (מֵהַנְּעָרִים אֶחָד, mehann'arim echad) Refers to a household servant, often dependable and capable of accompanying her on a journey. This points to her foresight in needing a helper for travel, not just a guide, potentially for practical tasks or even handling the donkey.
• "and one of the donkeys": (וְאֶחַת הָאֲתֹנוֹת, ve'achat ha'atonot) She-donkeys were a common and reliable means of transport in ancient Israel, suitable for long and swift journeys across varied terrain. Requesting "one" shows practicality and urgency, prioritizing function over pomp, indicating she needed quick, focused transportation.
• "that I may run": (וְאָרוּצָה, ve'arutzah) This Hebrew word, derived from רוּץ (rutz), means "to run" or "to hasten." It vividly expresses her extreme urgency and desperation to reach the prophet swiftly. She envisions herself moving with great speed, despite being mounted on a donkey, indicating a race against time and circumstance.
• "to the man of God": (אֶל־אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים, el-ish ha'elohim) This title identifies Elisha as a prophet empowered by Yahweh, distinguishing him from ordinary men. Her choice to go directly to him highlights her recognition of his divine authority and connection, placing her hope firmly in God's capacity to intervene through His servant. This reveals where her true faith lies—not in medicine or mourning, but in the divine.
• "and come back": (וְאָשׁוּבָה, ve'ashuvah) This expresses her firm expectation and confidence in a successful resolution. It’s not just about reaching the prophet, but about returning with a changed outcome. This isn't merely hope; it reflects a deep, unshakeable faith in God's restorative power, implying a belief that Elisha will be able to help her.

2 Kings 4 22 Bonus section

The Shunammite woman's actions contrast sharply with what might be considered "normal" grieving behavior. Her immediate and direct pursuit of Elisha, even concealing the full tragedy from her husband, highlights her proactive faith. She does not lament or become paralyzed by sorrow, but instead initiates a "pilgrimage of faith," trusting that God, who had given life, could also restore it. This determination to "come back" with a positive outcome prefigures the New Testament concept of believing for the resurrection, illustrating a deep theological conviction concerning God's dominion over life and death. Her quick wit and focus allowed her to bypass potential human obstacles, directly reflecting an individual prioritizing their access to God's miraculous intervention above all else.

2 Kings 4 22 Commentary

2 Kings 4:22 reveals the extraordinary faith and decisive action of the Shunammite woman in the face of profound grief. Her request, stripped of the painful details of her son's death, served a strategic purpose: to ensure her husband's immediate compliance without the delays of argument or dissuasion. She wasn't deceiving him but prudently protecting her immediate access to divine intervention. Her choice to "run to the man of God" signifies a complete reliance on God's power through Elisha, bypassing human remedies or even traditional mourning. She recognized the source of the gift (God, through Elisha) and instinctively knew where to return for its restoration. This verse underscores the priority of seeking God, especially through His appointed channels, in moments of extreme crisis, demonstrating faith that moves beyond logic and towards the impossible. It’s a powerful illustration of acting with confident hope for a divine turnaround.