Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 4:16
And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, [thou] man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
16. according to the time of life ] R.V. when the time cometh round. The literal sense of the verb is explained on the margin of R.V. = liveth, or reviveth. The phrase is the same which is used Gen 18:14 to the childless Sarah before the birth of Isaac.
thou man of God ] She appeals to him in the character which she felt to be most sacred; the character which had at first (see verse 9) made her desirous to entertain him.
do not lie unto thine handmaid ] The verb in all its directness is common in Hebrew in very solemn expressions. Thus Num 23:19, ‘God is not a man that he should lie ’, and of God’s word (Hab 2:3), ‘It shall speak and not lie ’. The blessing promised was so great, and appeared so unlikely of fulfilment, that the woman implores Elisha not to raise false expectations in such a matter.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Do not lie – Compare a similar incredulity in Gen 17:17; Gen 18:12; Luk 1:20. The expression, do not lie, which is harsh to us, accords with the plain, straightforward simplicity of ancient speech. It would not mean more than deceive (compare the marginal reference).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 16. Thou shalt embrace a son.] This promise, and the circumstances of the parties, are not very dissimilar to that relative to the birth of Isaac, and those of Abraham and Sarah.
Do not lie] That is, Let thy words become true; or, as the rabbins understand it, Do not mock me by giving me a son that shall soon be removed by death; but let me have one that shall survive me.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
According to the time of life; of which phrase See Poole on “Gen 18:10“.
Do not lie unto thine handmaid; do not delude me with vain hopes. She could not believe it for joy, and supposed the prophet might say thus either for her trial, or from his own private judgment and affection, and not by warrant from God.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And he said, about this season,…. In the next year:
according to the time of life; the usual time women go with child:
thou shalt embrace a son; in thine arms, that shall be born of thee, which she should have in her lap, and in her bosom:
and she said, nay, my lord, do not lie unto thine handmaid; or speak unto her what was not truth; it was so great, and so unaccountable, how it could be in her circumstances, that she could not believe it to be true, though she wished it might; or do not deceive me with vain and false words, or flatter me, jest with me, which would be unbecoming his character as a man of God, and prophet of the Lord; according to the Targum, she wished it might prove true, and she not deceived; see 2Ki 4:28.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(16) About this season.At this set time.
According to the time of life.Rather, at the reviving timei.e., next spring; or, when the time revivesi.e., in the following year: a phrase occurring in Gen. 18:10; Gen. 18:15. Bttcher renders, when the year has revolved, assuming the ground meaning of the term life to be something joined in a circle.
Thou shalt embrace.Thou art about to embrace.
Do not liei.e., raise no delusive hopes. (Comp. Isa. 58:11.) We can imagine the emotion with which this would be said. (Comp. the incredulity of Sarah, Gen. 18:12-13.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. About this season, according to the time of life That is, about this time next year.
Embrace a son Fold in thy arms a child. To estimate the value of this promise we must remember that childlessness was a reproach and disgrace to an Israelitish wife. Compare Gen 30:23; Luk 1:25.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 4:16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, [thou] man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
Ver. 16. About this season, ] i.e., About this time twelve months from now.
Thou shalt embrace a son.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
About this: Gen 17:21, Gen 18:10, Gen 18:14
season: Heb. set time
thou shalt: Gen 17:16, Gen 17:17, Luk 1:13, Luk 1:30, Luk 1:31
my lord: 2Ki 2:19
do not lie: 2Ki 4:28, 2Ki 5:10, 2Ki 5:11, Gen 18:12-15, 1Ki 17:18, 1Ki 18:9, Psa 116:11, Luk 1:18-20
Reciprocal: Gen 17:19 – Sarah Gen 21:2 – conceived Jos 14:6 – the man Jdg 13:3 – but thou Jdg 13:6 – A man Jdg 20:38 – sign 1Ki 12:22 – General 2Ki 8:4 – all the great 2Ki 13:19 – the man of God Ecc 3:2 – time to be born Mat 1:21 – she Mat 10:41 – that receiveth a prophet Luk 7:12 – the only
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 4:16-17. About this season, according to the time of life About this time next year; see on Gen 18:10; thou shall embrace a son She had received this prophet in the name of a prophet, and now she receives, not a courtiers reward, in being spoken for to the king, but a prophets reward, a signal mercy, given in answer to a prophets prayer. Nay, my lord, do not lie unto thy handmaid Do not delude me with vain hopes. She could not believe it for joy. The woman bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her The event, within the time limited, confirmed the truth of the promise. God built up her house in reward of her kindness in building the prophet a chamber.