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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then she saddled {H2280} an ass {H860}, and said {H559} to her servant {H5288}, Drive {H5090}, and go forward {H3212}; slack {H6113} not thy riding {H7392} for me, except I bid {H559} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then she saddled the donkey and ordered her servant, "Drive as fast as you can; don't slow down for me unless I say so."

Berean Standard Bible

Then she saddled the donkey and told her servant, “Drive onward; do not slow the pace for me unless I tell you.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 4:24 captures the Shunammite woman's resolute and urgent response to the sudden death of her son, a miraculous gift received through the prophet Elisha. This verse depicts her immediate and decisive action to prepare for a journey to seek Elisha, issuing a forceful command to her servant to maintain unceasing speed, thereby underscoring her profound desperation and unwavering faith in God's power to intervene through His prophet.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical turning point in the extended narrative of the Shunammite woman found in [2 Kings 4](/2_kings/4 "2 Kings 4 - The Shunammite Woman and Elisha"). The story begins with her exemplary hospitality towards Elisha, for which she is blessed with a son, despite her advanced age ([2 Kings 4:8-17](/2_kings/4-8 "2 Kings 4:8-17 - Elisha's Blessing for the Shunammite Woman")). The miraculous gift is then tragically snatched away by the son's sudden death ([2 Kings 4:18-20](/2_kings/4-18 "2 Kings 4:18-20 - The Son's Death")). Verse 24 marks her immediate, almost instinctual, response to this devastating loss. Her actions here are characterized by singular focus and an intentional withholding of the full truth from her husband, highlighting her determination to reach Elisha without delay or distraction, believing him to be the sole instrument of God's potential intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Israel, where travel was arduous and often slow, typically by foot or on donkeys/asses. The act of "saddling an ass" signifies preparation for a purposeful journey, often undertaken by those of some means, as the Shunammite woman was. Prophets like Elisha held significant spiritual authority, often serving as God's direct voice and instrument of miraculous power in a society that deeply believed in divine intervention. Mount Carmel, her destination, was a place historically associated with prophetic activity, notably by Elijah ([1 Kings 18](/1_kings/18 "1 Kings 18 - Elijah on Mount Carmel")), reinforcing its reputation as a place where God's power was manifested. Her bold initiative, taking charge of the journey and issuing direct commands, speaks to her exceptional character and status within her household, transcending typical cultural expectations for women in such a crisis.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully illustrates themes of **Urgency and Desperation**, born from profound grief but tempered by an unshakeable **Faith and Expectation**. Her command to "slack not thy riding" is a visceral expression of her belief that every moment counts in seeking divine intervention. This action is not a desperate gamble but a deliberate act of **Seeking God's Instrument**, demonstrating her conviction that Elisha, as the "man of God," possessed the spiritual authority to intercede and bring about a supernatural solution. Her journey embodies the theme of **Divine Intervention**, as she presses forward, trusting that God's power can reverse even death, a trust that is ultimately vindicated in the subsequent resurrection of her son ([2 Kings 4:32-35](/2_kings/4-32 "2 Kings 4:32-35 - The Son's Resurrection")). Her resolve echoes the principle found in [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith and Pleasing God"), that "without faith it is impossible to please Him."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saddled (Hebrew, _ḥāvaš'_):** This verb means 'to bind,' 'to harness,' or 'to saddle.' In this context, it emphasizes the woman's immediate and personal initiative in preparing for the journey. It suggests a hands-on, decisive action, not delegating the initial preparation but taking direct control, highlighting her urgency and determination to depart without delay.
* **slack not (Hebrew, _rāphâ'_):** This is a strong negative imperative meaning 'do not relax,' 'do not weaken,' 'do not let go,' or 'do not delay.' It conveys an absolute command for the servant to maintain maximum speed and effort without any hesitation, rest, or reduction in pace. This word vividly portrays the Shunammite woman's desperate urgency and her singular, unwavering focus on reaching Elisha as quickly as possible.
* **riding (Hebrew, _rekeb'_):1** While often referring to chariots or cavalry, in this context, it refers to the act of riding or the pace of the journey by animal (ass). The emphasis is on the speed and continuous motion of the travel. Her command is not merely to ride, but to ensure the *pace* of the riding is not diminished, highlighting the critical nature of time in her mission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then she saddled an ass":** This clause immediately establishes the Shunammite woman's proactive and decisive response to her son's death. Instead of succumbing to grief or waiting for others, she takes direct, physical action to prepare for a journey, indicating her immediate resolve and purpose.
* **"and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward":** Her words are direct, authoritative commands. "Drive" (נָהַג, _nāhag_) implies leading or guiding the animal, while "go forward" (לֵךְ, _lek_) is a simple imperative to proceed. Together, these commands convey a clear, urgent directive to commence the journey without hesitation and to move towards a specific destination.
* **"slack not [thy] riding for me, except I bid thee":** This is the core of her desperate instruction. It is an absolute prohibition against slowing down or resting, emphasizing that the pace must be relentless and uninterrupted. The phrase "except I bid thee" underscores her complete control over the journey's speed, revealing her singular focus and determination to reach Elisha as quickly as humanly possible, allowing no room for delay or deviation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich with **Imperative Mood**, as seen in the repeated commands "Drive," "go forward," and "slack not." This grammatical choice powerfully conveys the Shunammite woman's authority, urgency, and unwavering resolve. There is also a strong sense of **Foreshadowing** in her desperate, focused journey; her relentless pursuit of Elisha implicitly anticipates the miraculous intervention that will follow, namely the resurrection of her son. The narrative employs **Dramatic Irony**, as the servant (and her husband, as revealed in subsequent verses) is unaware of the true, devastating reason for the journey. This heightens the tension and underscores the woman's singular, faith-driven mission. The **Repetition** of the idea of speed and no delay ("Drive, and go forward; slack not") further emphasizes the critical nature of her quest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Shunammite woman's actions in 2 Kings 4:24 provide a profound theological lesson on the nature of faith in the face of insurmountable odds. Her immediate, decisive, and relentless pursuit of Elisha, God's prophet, demonstrates a deep-seated conviction that God is sovereign over life and death and that He can intervene even in the most hopeless situations. Her refusal to "slack not" her riding is a powerful metaphor for persistent prayer and unyielding trust in divine power, even when circumstances seem to contradict any possibility of hope. This episode underscores the biblical principle that genuine faith often manifests as active, determined seeking of God's presence and power, rather than passive resignation. It is a testament to the fact that God often responds to desperate, faith-filled cries, demonstrating His compassion and power through His chosen instruments.

* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith and Pleasing God")
* [Matthew 15:21-28](/matthew/15-21-28 "Matthew 15:21-28 - The Canaanite Woman's Persistent Faith")
* [Luke 18:1-8](/luke/18-1-8 "Luke 18:1-8 - The Parable of the Persistent Widow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Shunammite woman's desperate urgency and unwavering focus in 2 Kings 4:24 offer a compelling model for believers facing their own "dead" situations. Her immediate action, bypassing conventional mourning or explanation, and her singular determination to reach the man of God, challenge us to examine our own responses to crisis. Do we succumb to despair, or do we, like her, pursue God with every fiber of our being, refusing to "slack" in our spiritual journey? This verse calls us to cultivate a faith that is active, persistent, and singularly focused on God's power to intervene, even when human solutions are exhausted. It reminds us that true faith is not passive resignation but a relentless pressing into God's presence, trusting that He is able to do the impossible. Her story encourages us to remove all hindrances and distractions, to "drive and go forward" with unwavering commitment in our prayers and pursuit of God's will, believing that He can bring life out of death.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Shunammite woman's immediate and decisive action challenge our typical responses to crisis and grief?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently "slacking" in your pursuit of God's intervention, and what steps can you take to "slack not"?**
* **What does her focused determination teach us about the nature of true faith when faced with seemingly impossible circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't she tell her husband the son was dead before leaving?**

Answer: The Shunammite woman's decision to withhold the full truth from her husband (and later, Gehazi, Elisha's servant) highlights her singular focus and unwavering faith. She likely feared that disclosing the devastating news would lead to delays, emotional distress, or practical objections that would hinder her immediate and urgent mission to reach Elisha. Her priority was not to grieve or explain, but to act decisively in faith, believing that Elisha, as God's instrument, could reverse the tragedy. Her response in [2 Kings 4:28](/2_kings/4-28 "2 Kings 4:28 - Her Plea to Elisha") ("Did I ask for a son from you, my lord? Did I not say, 'Do not deceive me'?") further reveals her deep emotional state and her direct appeal to Elisha, bypassing intermediaries or lengthy explanations.

**What does "slack not thy riding" mean for modern believers?**

Answer: For contemporary believers, "slack not thy riding" serves as a powerful metaphor for the intensity, persistence, and unwavering focus required in our spiritual walk, particularly in prayer and seeking God's will during times of crisis. It means to pursue God with unyielding determination, removing all distractions and hindrances that might cause us to "slack" or lose momentum in our faith journey. It echoes biblical injunctions to "pray without ceasing" ([1 Thessalonians 5:17](/1_thessalonians/5-17 "1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray Without Ceasing")) and to "press on toward the goal" ([Philippians 3:14](/philippians/3-14 "Philippians 3:14 - Pressing Toward the Goal")). It is a call to fervent, relentless spiritual pursuit, trusting that God hears and responds to those who seek Him with all their heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Shunammite woman's desperate journey to Elisha for the resurrection of her son powerfully foreshadows the ultimate hope and life found in Jesus Christ. Her unwavering faith in a prophet's ability to intercede for life from death points to Jesus as the true and ultimate "man of God," who possesses inherent power over death itself. While Elisha acted as an instrument of God's power, Jesus is the very embodiment of "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). The Shunammite woman's relentless pursuit of life for her son mirrors humanity's desperate need for spiritual life from the death of sin. Through Christ, we are not merely offered a temporary physical restoration, but eternal life and a spiritual resurrection from sin ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ")). Her story, culminating in a physical resurrection, ultimately directs our gaze to the glorious promise of the bodily resurrection of all believers through Christ, who is the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ, the Firstfruits of Resurrection")). The Shunammite woman's faith, though focused on a prophet, ultimately finds its complete fulfillment and ultimate object in Jesus, who alone can truly say, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.