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 4:24KJV
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2 Kings 4:24 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 4:24 mean?

2 Kings 4:24 describes a woman urgently preparing for a journey by saddling a donkey and instructing her servant to drive quickly, only slowing down if she specifically asks. The verse shows her determination and haste, making it clear that nothing should delay their travel unless she gives the order.

The speaker is the Shunammite woman, who is telling her servant to help her travel swiftly to see the prophet Elisha after her son has died. Her words show both authority and urgency, highlighting the seriousness of her mission and her focus on reaching Elisha without unnecessary delay.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 4:24

  • "saddled" (חָבַשׁ, ḥavash): This word means to bind or saddle, emphasizing her personal involvement in getting the donkey ready, which was unusual for a woman of her status.
  • "Drive" (נָהַג, nahag): This word means to lead or drive, often used for animals or chariots, showing the servant is to actively urge the donkey forward.
  • "slack" (רָפָה, raphah): This word means to relax or slow down, so the woman is telling the servant not to ease up unless she says so.
  • "riding" (רְכִיבָה, rekhivah): This refers to the act of riding, underlining the urgency and speed of their travel.

Why 2 Kings 4:24 matters

  • The verse highlights the Shunammite woman's determination and leadership in a crisis, showing her willingness to break social norms for the sake of her son.
  • The urgency in her instructions sets the tone for the dramatic events that follow, connecting her actions directly to her faith and desperation.
  • Understanding her command to not "slack" the riding unless she says so clarifies that she wants no unnecessary stops, emphasizing the seriousness and immediacy of her mission.

Where else these words appear

“ass” Hebrew H860 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 22:28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
  • 1 Samuel 10:2 When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?

“saddled” Hebrew H2280 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 22:3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
  • 1 Kings 13:13 And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon,
  • Isaiah 30:26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.

“Drive” Hebrew H5090 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 31:18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.
  • 1 Samuel 30:22 Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.
  • Psalms 80:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

“slack” Hebrew H6113 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
  • 1 Kings 8:35 When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:
  • 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.