2 Kings 4:24

“Then she saddled an ass, etc.] Her servant did it by her order: and said to her servant, drive, and go forward; make all the haste he could: slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee; do not be afraid of riding too fast for me; if thou dost, I will tell thee; till then, keep on a good pace: Abarbinel says she walked afoot all the way, and ordered the man not to slacken his pace in riding for her, unless she called to him; and the Targum seems to favour this sense, “do not press me to ride unless I call to thee;” so that the ass was for Elijah to ride on; but one would think, that, as she was in haste, quicker dispatch would be made by her riding than by walking, (see <120422>2 Kings…”

“Drive, and go forward--It is usual for women to ride on asses, accompanied by a servant, who walks behind and drives the beast with his stick, goading the animal at the speed required by his mistress. The Shunammite had to ride a journey of five or six hours to the top of Carmel.”

“Slack not thy riding - Translate, “delay me not in my riding, except I bid thee.” The servant went on foot with the donkey to urge it forward, as is the ordinary custom in the East. return to 'Top of Page'”

“4:24-26 Mount Carmel lay about twenty miles northwest of Shunem. The length of the trip and the woman’s obvious haste aroused Elisha’s suspicion that some tragedy concerning the child had occurred. • “everything is fine”: The woman brushed off Gehazi’s inquiries; she was resolved to deal with no one but Elisha.”

“Then she: Exo 4:20; Sa1 25:20; Kg1 13:13, Kg1 13:23 an ass: These animals were not anciently, as now, used only by the lower classes, but were in general use among the noble and chief personages of the East, and it was not unusual for even the husband to walk by the side of his wife while thus riding; the driver, as was the custom, following. The Shunammite, when she went to the prophet, did not desire so much attendance; but only requested her husband to send her an ass and its driver. Drive: Sa1 25:19 slack not thy riding for me: Heb. restrain not for me to ride 4 Kings (2 Kings) 4:25”