He said, “Why would you want to go to him today? It is not a new moon or a Sabbath.” She said, “It’s all right.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 23. Moon, a day of devotion, (Numbers 10:10. Calmet.) or probably of obligation, like the sabbath, on which no long journey could be undertaken, ( Tirinus. verse 8.) unless for the sake of piety, (Exodus 26:8) as Sunam is a place six or seven leagues, ( Calmet.) or eight hours’ walk from Carmel. Adrichom. Menochius.—Piety was not so far decayed in Israel but many fervent souls still went to hear the prophets. Calmet. It seems this woman had often made such journeys. Menochius.—Go. Hebrew “peace.” Prot. “it shall be well:” let me depart. She is unwilling to reveal the reason of her journey; but her husband was so well convinced of her virtue, that he placed no obstacle in her way. Perhaps he might partly guess what was the matter, as he had sent the child home sick, and saw his wife so desirous to visit the prophet. Bible.