But one of his servants replied, "No one, my lord the king. For Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom." But one of his servants repliedThis phrase introduces a pivotal moment in the narrative, where a servant of the Aramean king provides crucial information. The Hebrew word for "servant" is "עֶבֶד" (eved), which can denote a range of roles from a slave to a high-ranking official. This indicates that the servant had access to the king and was trusted enough to speak directly to him. Historically, servants often played key roles in the courts of ancient Near Eastern monarchs, acting as intermediaries and informants. No, my lord the king
The servant addresses the king with respect, using "אֲדֹנִי" (adoni), meaning "my lord." This term reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient societies, where kings were seen as sovereign rulers with divine authority. The servant's respectful address underscores the gravity of the information he is about to reveal, ensuring the king's attention and consideration. Elisha, the prophet in Israel
Elisha is identified as a "נָבִיא" (navi), meaning "prophet," a role of immense significance in Israel. Prophets were seen as God's mouthpieces, delivering divine messages and guidance. Elisha's presence in Israel during this tumultuous period highlights God's ongoing involvement and intervention in the affairs of His people. Historically, prophets like Elisha were instrumental in shaping the spiritual and political landscape of Israel. tells the king of Israel
The phrase emphasizes Elisha's prophetic ability to communicate divine knowledge to the king of Israel. This underscores the belief in God's omniscience and His willingness to protect and guide His chosen people through His prophets. The historical context reveals a time of conflict between Israel and Aram, where divine insight was crucial for Israel's survival and success. the very words you speak in your bedroom
This phrase highlights the extent of Elisha's prophetic insight, suggesting that nothing is hidden from God. The "חֶדֶר" (cheder), or "bedroom," symbolizes a place of privacy and secrecy. The implication is that God's knowledge transcends human boundaries, and His prophets can reveal even the most concealed plans. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the futility of attempting to hide from His omnipresence. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet in Israel known for his powerful miracles and close relationship with God. He serves as God's mouthpiece, revealing divine knowledge and guidance. 2. The King of AramThe ruler who is at war with Israel. He is frustrated by his plans being thwarted and suspects a traitor among his ranks. 3. The ServantAn unnamed servant of the King of Aram who informs the king about Elisha's prophetic abilities. 4. The King of IsraelThe ruler of Israel who benefits from Elisha's prophetic insights, which help him avoid the traps set by the Arameans. 5. AramA region and kingdom often in conflict with Israel during this period, located in present-day Syria. Teaching Points God's OmniscienceGod knows all things, including the secret plans and thoughts of individuals. This should encourage believers to live transparently before God, knowing that nothing is hidden from Him. The Power of Prophetic InsightGod can reveal hidden truths to His servants for the benefit of His people. Believers should seek God's wisdom and guidance in their lives, trusting that He can provide insight beyond human understanding. God's Protection and ProvisionJust as God used Elisha to protect Israel, He is actively involved in the lives of His people, providing protection and guidance. Believers can trust in God's provision and care in times of trouble. The Role of Faithful ServantsThe unnamed servant plays a crucial role in revealing the truth to the king. This highlights the importance of being faithful and truthful in our roles, no matter how small they may seem. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Elisha in 2 Kings 6:12 demonstrate God's omniscience, and how can this attribute of God impact your daily life? 2. In what ways can you seek and apply God's wisdom and guidance in situations where you feel uncertain or threatened? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's protection or provision in your life. How did it strengthen your faith? 4. How can you be a faithful servant in your current role, and what steps can you take to ensure you are truthful and reliable? 5. Considering the connections to other scriptures, how does understanding God's intimate knowledge of us (as seen in Psalm 139) influence your relationship with Him? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 19:19-21This passage describes Elisha's calling by Elijah, establishing his role as a prophet and his dedication to God's service. Hebrews 4:13This verse speaks to God's omniscience, similar to how Elisha knows the king's plans, emphasizing that nothing is hidden from God. Psalm 139:1-4These verses highlight God's intimate knowledge of our thoughts and actions, paralleling Elisha's ability to know the king's words. People Aram, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Elisha, Shaphat, SyriansPlaces Dothan, Jordan River, Samaria, SyriaTopics Bedchamber, Bed-chamber, Bedroom, Declareth, Elisha, Eli'sha, Gives, Inner, Nay, News, None, O, Officers, Prophet, Servants, Speak, Speakest, Telleth, TellsDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 6:12 5229 bed Library Young Man! a Prayer for You
THIS YOUNG MAN waited upon a prophet: he could not have had a more instructive occupation; yet his eyes needed to be opened. He was well disposed towards good things, for the tone of his language to his master shows that he was heartily at one with him; but his eyes were not yet half opened. Being in great alarm for his master's safety, he ran to him to warn him: good servants should be their master's best friends. In return, his believing master prays for him. If we desire the good of our servants, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891Of the Practice of Piety in Fasting.
There are divers kinds of fasting--First, A constrained fast, as when men either have not food to eat, as in the famine of Samaria (2 Kings vi. 25;) or, having food, cannot eat it for heaviness or sickness, as it befel them who were in the ship with St. Paul (Acts xxvii. 33.) This is rather famine than fasting. Secondly, A natural fast, which we undertake physically, for the health of our body. Thirdly, A civil fast, which the magistrate enjoins for the better maintenance of the commonwealth. Fourthly, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Whether a Mann is Bound to Correct his Prelate?
Objection 1: It would seem that no man is bound to correct his prelate. For it is written (Ex. 19:12): "The beast that shall touch the mount shall be stoned," [*Vulg.: 'Everyone that shall touch the mount, dying he shall die.'] and (2 Kings 6:7) it is related that the Lord struck Oza for touching the ark. Now the mount and the ark signify our prelates. Therefore prelates should not be corrected by their subjects. Objection 2: Further, a gloss on Gal. 2:11, "I withstood him to the face," adds: "as …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Administration
God not only created everything, but everything which He created is subject to His immediate control. God rules over the works of His hands. God governs the creatures He has made. God reigns with universal dominion. When He pleased, the sun and moon stood still (Josh. 10:12, 13); and at a word from Him the sun went backward ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz (Is. 38:8). At His command the Red Sea ceased to flow, and at His command it resumed its normal course (Ex. 14). In response to the prayer of Elisha, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Godhood of God The Christian Convert Warned Of, and Animated against those Discouragements which He must Expect to Meet when Entering on a Religious Course.
1. Christ has instructed his disciples to expect opposition and difficulties in the way to heaven.--2. Therefore a more particular view of them is taken, as arising from the remainder of indwelling sin.--3. From the world, and especially from former sinful companions.--4. From the temptations and suggest ions of Satan.--5, 6. The Christian is animated and encouraged, by various considerations, to oppose them; particularly by the presence of God; the aids of Christ; the example of others, who, though …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God Distinguished by Certain Marks from Fictitious Gods.
1. The mere fact of creation should lead us to acknowledge God, but to prevent our falling away to Gentile fictions, God has been pleased to furnish a history of the creation. An impious objection, Why the world was not created sooner? Answer to it. Shrewd saying of an old man. 2. For the same reason, the world was created, not in an instant, but in six days. The order of creation described, showing that Adam was not created until God had, with infinite goodness made ample provision for him. 3. The …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Helpless State of the Sinner under Condemnation.
1, 2. The sinner urged to consider how he can be saved from this impending ruin.--3. Not by any thing he can offer.--4. Nor by any thing he can endure.--5. Nor by any thing hr can do in the course of future duty.--6-8. Nor by any alliance with fellow-sinners on earth or in hell.--9. Nor by any interposition or intercession of angels or saints in his favor. Hint of the only method to be afterwards more largely explained. The lamentation of a sinner in this miserable condition. 1. SINNER, thou hast …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments May one Lose the Blessing?
The question trembles from many a lip--If I get the blessing, may I lose it? Most certainly. But, glory be to God! He has made ample provision for failure. There is no reason why we should fail; God has made ample provision against failure; we must not expect to fail; but in case we do fail, provision has been made. The most prolific cause of loss is disobedience--disobedience either to one of God's written commands, or to the inward promptings of His Holy Spirit. "The Holy Ghost whom God hath …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life Meditations for the Morning.
1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day, Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints; and every one of the bodies of the thousands of his saints, being fashioned like unto his glorious body, shall shine as bright as the sun (2 Thess. i. 10; Jude, ver. 14; Phil. iii. 21; Luke ix. 31;) all the angels shining …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour, …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 6:12 NIV2 Kings 6:12 NLT2 Kings 6:12 ESV2 Kings 6:12 NASB2 Kings 6:12 KJV
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