2 Kings 4:16 - Exposition

And he — i.e. Elisha— said, About this season, according to the time of life —rather, when the time comes round ; literally, revives ; i.e. about this time next year — thou shalt embrace a son ; i.e. "a son shall be born to thee, whom thou wilt embrace, as mothers are wont to do." And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. Like Sarah, the woman was incredulous; she could not believe the good tidings, and thought the prophet was only raising hopes to disappoint them. Her words, "Do not lie unto thy servant," are less harsh in the original, being merely equivalent to the "Do not deceive me" of 2 Kings 4:28 .