2 Kings 4:24
New International Version
She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Lead on; don’t slow down for me unless I tell you.”

New Living Translation
So she saddled the donkey and said to the servant, “Hurry! Don’t slow down unless I tell you to.”

English Standard Version
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.”

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.”

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

New King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Drive the donkey and go on; do not slow down the pace for me unless I tell you.”

NASB 1995
Then she saddled a donkey and said to her servant, “Drive and go forward; do not slow down the pace for me unless I tell you.”

NASB 1977
Then she saddled a donkey and said to her servant, “Drive and go forward; do not slow down the pace for me unless I tell you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then she saddled a donkey and said to her young man, “Drive and go; do not hold back the pace of the ride for me unless I tell you.”

Amplified Bible
Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Drive [the animal] fast; do not slow down the pace for me unless I tell you.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Go fast; don’t slow the pace for me unless I tell you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Hurry, don’t 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.

Contemporary English Version
She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, "Let's go. And don't slow down unless I tell you to."

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
She saddled the donkey. Then she told her servant, "Lead on. Don't slow down unless I tell you."

Good News Translation
Then she had the donkey saddled, and ordered the servant, "Make the donkey go as fast as it can, and don't slow down unless I tell you to."

International Standard Version
So she saddled a donkey and told her servant, "Forward, driver! Don't slow down on my account, unless I tell you!"

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

NET Bible
She saddled the donkey and told her servant, "Lead on. Do not stop unless I say so."

New Heart English Bible
Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, "Drive, and go forward. Do not slow down for me, unless I ask you to."

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

World English Bible
Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, “Drive, and go forward! Don’t slow down for me, unless I ask you to.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And she saddles the donkey and says to her young man, “Lead, and go, do not restrain riding for me, except I have commanded [so] to you.”

Young's Literal Translation
And she saddleth the ass, and saith unto her young man, 'Lead, and go, do not restrain riding for me, except I have said so to thee.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And she will saddle the ass, and say to her boy, Lead on, and go; thou shalt not hold back for me to ride except I said to thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And she saddled an ass, and commanded her servant: Drive, and make haste, make no stay in going. And do that which I bid thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And she saddled a donkey, and she instructed her servant: “Drive, and hurry on. You shall cause no delay for me in departing. And do whatever I instruct you to do.”

New American Bible
When the donkey was saddled, she said to her servant, “Lead on! Do not stop my donkey unless I tell you.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not hold back for me unless I tell you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they saddled an ass for her, and she said to the servant, Drive fast; do not stop to dismount me unless I tell you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they put her on the donkey, and she said to the Boy Servant: “Drive, and go! Do not hinder me from sitting unless I have told you!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant: 'Drive, and go forward; slacken me not the riding, except I bid thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And she saddled the ass, and said to her servant, Be quick, proceed: spare not on my account to ride, unless I shall tell thee. Go, and thou shalt proceed, and come to the man of God to mount Carmel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son
23“Why would you go to him today?” he replied. “It is not a New Moon or a Sabbath.” “Everything is all right,” she said. 24Then she saddled the donkey and told her servant, “Drive onward; do not slow the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25So she set out and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, there is the Shunammite woman.…

Cross References
Genesis 22:3
So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated.

1 Samuel 25:19
and said to her young men, “Go ahead of me. I will be right behind you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.

2 Kings 9:1-3
Now Elisha the prophet summoned one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak under your belt, take this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth-gilead. / When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in, get him away from his companions, and take him to an inner room. / Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run. Do not delay!”

2 Kings 5:9
So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house.

2 Kings 9:16
Then Jehu got into his chariot and went to Jezreel, because Joram was laid up there. And Ahaziah king of Judah had gone down to see him.

2 Kings 10:16
saying, “Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD!” So he had him ride in his chariot.

2 Kings 2:2-6
and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. / Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.” / And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho. ...

2 Kings 6:32-33
Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?” / While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, “This calamity is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?”

2 Kings 8:1-2
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” / So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines.

2 Kings 13:14
When Elisha had fallen sick with the illness from which he would die, Jehoash king of Israel came down to him and wept over him, saying, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!”

Luke 10:4
Carry no purse or bag or sandals. Do not greet anyone along the road.

Luke 9:59-60
Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” / But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 8:21-22
Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” / But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Matthew 10:37
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;

Mark 1:20
Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Then she

Exodus 4:20
And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.

1 Samuel 25:20
And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.

1 Kings 13:13,23
And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon, …

Drive

1 Samuel 25:19
And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.

Jump to Previous
Ass Beast Bid Donkey Drive Driving Except Forward Lead Orders Pace Ready Restrain Riding Saddled Saddleth Servant Slack Slow Stop Unless Urge Young
Jump to Next
Ass Beast Bid Donkey Drive Driving Except Forward Lead Orders Pace Ready Restrain Riding Saddled Saddleth Servant Slack Slow Stop Unless Urge Young
2 Kings 4
1. Elisha multiplies the widow's oil
8. He obtains a son for the good Shunammite
18. He restores her son when dead
38. At Gilgal he heals the deadly pottage
42. He satisfies a hundred men with twenty loaves














Then she saddled the donkey
This phrase highlights the initiative and determination of the Shunammite woman. In the Hebrew context, the act of saddling a donkey signifies preparation and urgency. Donkeys were common means of transportation in ancient Israel, often used for long journeys. The Shunammite woman's action reflects her resolve and faith, as she prepares to seek the prophet Elisha without delay. Her decisiveness is a testament to her character and her belief in God's power to intervene in her dire situation.

and said to her servant
The mention of a servant indicates the woman's social status, as having a servant was a sign of some wealth or standing. In the biblical narrative, servants often play crucial roles in the unfolding of God's plans. The Shunammite's command to her servant shows her leadership and the trust she places in him to assist her in this urgent mission. It also reflects the communal aspect of faith, where others are involved in the journey of seeking God's intervention.

Lead on; do not slow down for me
This command underscores the urgency and determination of the Shunammite woman. The Hebrew root for "lead on" conveys a sense of moving forward with purpose. Her insistence on not slowing down reveals her desperation and unwavering focus on reaching Elisha as quickly as possible. It is a powerful expression of faith, as she is willing to endure any discomfort for the sake of her mission. This phrase inspires believers to pursue God's presence and intervention with similar fervor and dedication.

unless I tell you
This conditional phrase indicates the woman's control over the situation. While she is in a hurry, she retains the authority to adjust the pace if necessary. It reflects her wisdom and foresight, ensuring that the journey is both swift and safe. In a broader spiritual sense, it reminds believers of the importance of being led by the Spirit, moving forward with urgency but also with discernment and readiness to adjust as God directs.

(24) Then she saddled an ass.--And she saddled the ass--i.e., which the young man brought, and probably saddled at her bidding.

Slack not thy riding for me.--Literally, restrain me not from riding--i.e., do not stop, or slacken speed. A halt for rest might naturally be taken, as the distance was considerable.

Verse 24. - Then she saddled an ass; rather, then she saddled (i.e. "caused to be saddled") the ass - the particular animal which her husband had placed at her disposal. And said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; i.e. "set the ass in motion, and then proceed steadily forward." In the East, each donkey has its driver, who sots it in motion, and regulates its pace. The rider leaves all to him. Slack not thy riding for me - rather, slacken me not the riding (Revised Version), or, slacken not my riding; i.e. "do not lessen the pace of my riding" - except I bid thee.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then she saddled
וַֽתַּחֲבֹשׁ֙ (wat·ta·ḥă·ḇōš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2280: To wrap firmly, to stop, to rule

the donkey
הָֽאָת֔וֹן (hā·’ā·ṯō·wn)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 860: A female donkey

and told
וַתֹּ֥אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

her servant,
נַעֲרָ֖הּ (na·‘ă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

“Drive
נְהַ֣ג (nə·haḡ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5090: To drive forth, lead, carry away, to proceed, to sigh

onward;
וָלֵ֑ךְ (wā·lêḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

slow
תַּעֲצָר־ (ta·‘ă·ṣār-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6113: To inclose, to hold back, to maintain, rule, assemble

the pace
לִרְכֹּ֔ב (lir·kōḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7392: To ride, to place upon, to despatch

for me
לִ֣י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

unless
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

I tell
אָמַ֥רְתִּי (’ā·mar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

you.”
לָֽךְ׃ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT History: 2 Kings 4:24 Then she saddled a donkey and said (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 4:23
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