2 Kings 4:24 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. Drive, and go forward - It is customary in the East for a servant to walk along side or drive the ass his master rides. Sometimes he walks behind, and goads on the beast; and when it is to turn, he directs its head with the long pole of the goad. It is probably to this custom that the wise man alludes when he says, "I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth," on the ground.