2 Kings 4 24

2 Kings 4:24 kjv

Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.

2 Kings 4:24 nkjv

Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, "Drive, and go forward; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you."

2 Kings 4:24 niv

She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, "Lead on; don't slow down for me unless I tell you."

2 Kings 4:24 esv

Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, "Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you."

2 Kings 4:24 nlt

So she saddled the donkey and said to the servant, "Hurry! Don't slow down unless I tell you to."

2 Kings 4 verses

2 Kings 4 24 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate and determined action of the Shunammite woman after her son died. It illustrates her resolve to seek Elisha, the prophet of God, without delay, believing he was her only hope for intervention in a seemingly hopeless situation. Her urgent preparation and specific command to her servant highlight her single-minded focus and desperate haste.

2 Kings 4 24 Context

Chapter 4 of 2 Kings showcases Elisha's prophetic ministry marked by various miracles. It opens with Elisha helping a widow with a multiplication of oil to pay her debts (4:1-7). The focus then shifts to the Shunammite woman, a wealthy and pious woman who shows great hospitality to Elisha (4:8-10). As a blessing, Elisha promises her a son, despite her and her husband's old age, a promise that is miraculously fulfilled (4:11-17). Later, the boy suddenly dies while out in the field (4:18-20). Verse 24 details the Shunammite woman's decisive and urgent reaction to her son's death, bypassing local remedies and immediate mourning rituals to directly seek Elisha, her source of hope and divine intervention, anticipating his ability to restore life. This act reflects a profound faith in Elisha's connection to God and God's power over life and death, presenting a counter-narrative to common ancient Near Eastern beliefs that death was a finality beyond divine influence.

2 Kings 4 24 Word analysis

• "She saddled" (וַתַּחֲבֹשׁ - va-taḥavosh): The Hebrew verb ḥāvaš (חָבַשׁ) means "to bind," "to harness," or "to saddle." This act signifies direct, personal action and readiness for an immediate departure. For a woman of her status to personally engage in saddling a donkey (rather than simply commanding it) suggests extreme urgency and a determination not to wait for servants, though the passage notes she did instruct a servant afterward. It reflects her profound distress and her immediate prioritization of seeking Elisha above all else, indicating a critical situation where every moment counted.
• "a donkey" (הָאָתוֹן - ha'aton): A common beast of burden and transport in ancient Israel. The specific reference highlights the practicality and speed of her chosen mode of travel. This was a direct, utilitarian choice, not one for comfort, signifying her urgent purpose.
• "and said to her servant" (וַתֹּאמֶר אֶל-נַעֲרָהּ - va-tomer el na'arah): This shows her in charge and giving precise instructions. It indicates she had planned her course of action and needed assistance to execute it quickly. The servant's role is not to question but to obey, emphasizing the woman's clear authority and desperate resolve.
• "Drive, and go" (נְהַג וָלֵךְ - neheg va-lekh): Two strong imperatives, conveying a double command for action. Nahag (נְהַג) means "to drive," often implying leadership or continuous motion. Lekh (וָלֵךְ) is "go" or "depart." The combination emphasizes continuous, swift motion. There is no pause between the driving and the going, mirroring the urgency she feels in her heart.
• "do not slacken your pace for me" (אַל-תַּעֲצָר לִי בָרֹכֵב - al-ta'atsor li va-rokhev): The Hebrew atsar (עָצַר) means "to restrain," "hold back," or "detain." The phrase explicitly forbids any slowing of pace during the journey. "Your pace" or "in riding" (va-rokhev) confirms the command is about the speed of travel on the donkey. This shows her intense urgency, a life-and-death mission that brooks no delay, no rest, no unnecessary stops, and no casual approach to the journey. Her instruction reveals an anxious anticipation to reach Elisha without losing any time.
• "unless I tell you" (כִּי אִם-אָמַרְתִּי לָךְ - ki im amarti lakh): This phrase places ultimate control of the journey directly in her hands. She reserves the right to dictate every aspect of the travel, emphasizing her desperate focus and the absolute singularity of her purpose: to reach Elisha. It removes any potential for the servant to make independent decisions about speed or stops, solidifying her unwavering intent.

2 Kings 4 24 Bonus section

The Shunammite woman's bold initiative and direct commands are notable in the context of ancient Near Eastern patriarchal societies where women's public roles were often limited. Her agency here underscores her extraordinary character and unwavering spiritual resolve. This account not only magnifies Elisha's prophetic authority, affirming Yahweh's sovereign power over life and death, but also serves as an example of fervent, active faith that presses beyond social conventions and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Her unwavering "unless I tell you" (implying 'do not stop until I tell you to') can be seen as a spiritual parallel to pursuing God tirelessly until one receives an answer, or a divine command to halt the pursuit.

2 Kings 4 24 Commentary

2 Kings 4:24 depicts the Shunammite woman's extraordinary display of faith and resolve in the face of immense grief. Her immediate saddling of the donkey, a task potentially below her station, and her urgent, authoritative command to her servant to maintain unceasing speed, demonstrate a mind fixed on a single purpose: reaching Elisha. There is no time for extended lamentation or local, less potent solutions. Her actions embody a deep-seated conviction that only the man of God, and through him, God's power, could intervene in a situation as final as death. This verse underlines her active pursuit of divine intervention, driven by hope despite overwhelming despair. It is a powerful example of decisive faith and determined action when all earthly hope seems lost, illustrating that God often responds to desperate, unhesitating cries and actions of faith.