Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 3:13

Charles Ellicott Commentary

2 Kings 3:13

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

2 Kings 3:13

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay; for Jehovah hath called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab." — 2 Kings 3:13 (ASV)

To the king of Israel. — As the leader of the confederacy; or as Elisha’s sovereign, who might be supposed to have brought the others to the prophet.

The prophets of your father — that is, the Baal prophets (Compare to 1 Kings 18:19) and false prophets of Jehovah (1 Kings 22:6; 1 Kings 22:11). Elisha’s sarcasm indicates that the former had not been wholly rooted out.

No. — Hebrew, ‘al; Greek, μή. “Say not so;” or, “Repulse me not.” .

These three kings. — And not one (myself) only, emphasising the word three. Or else Jehoram would rouse compassion by the magnitude of the imminent disaster.