John Gill Commentary 2 Kings 2:17

"And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not." — 2 Kings 2:17 (ASV)

And when they urged him until he was ashamed
To deny them any longer, being so very pressing and importunate:

he said, send ;
lest they should think he had not the respect for his master he should have had; or was so fond of his office, that he did not choose he should be found alive if he could, and return and reassume it:

they sent therefore fifty men ;
some one way, and some another:

and they sought three days, but found him not ;
and then returned.