Charles Ellicott Commentary


Charles Ellicott Commentary
"And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to-day? it is neither new moon nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well." — 2 Kings 4:23 (ASV)
Wiltt thou go. — Are you going. Archaic forms of the pronoun and participle are used here.
It is neither new moon, nor sabbath. — Compare to Amos 8:5. This remark is interesting, because it implies that the faithful in the northern kingdom were accustomed to visit prophets on these holy days for the sake of religious instruction and edification. Thenius suggests a doubt whether the later practice of resorting to the Scribes on these days has not here been transferred by an anachronism to the days of Elisha. (Compare to Numbers 18:11 and following; Leviticus 23:3, for the legal mode of observing new moons and Sabbath days.)
It shall be well. — Omit it shall be. The expression may be equivalent to our common “all right,” admitting the truth of what is said, yet persisting in one’s purpose. She did not want to be delayed, nor to have her faith shaken by argument.