Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 13:18

"And he said, Take the arrows; and he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground; and he smote thrice, and stayed." — 2 Kings 13:18 (ASV)

And he said. —LXX., “and Elisha said to him,” which, as Thenius remarks, is more appropriate here, in introducing the account of the second symbolic action.

The arrows — i.e., the bundle of arrows.

Smite upon the ground.—Rather, smite (or, strike) earthwards; as if striking an enemy to the earth.

He smote thrice. —Three being a sacred number.