Then Elisha said, "Take the arrows!" So he took them, and Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground!" So he struck the ground three times and stopped. Then Elisha said, “Take the arrows!”Elisha directed Jehoash to continue the prophetic sign begun with the bow and arrow, which had declared the Lord’s promised deliverance from Aram. The arrows represented the military victories God was prepared to grant Israel. 1Sa 20:21-22 Then I will send a boy and say, ‘Go, find the arrows!’… So he took them, Jehoash obeyed the prophet’s instruction, placing himself within a divinely appointed act that would reveal the extent of Israel’s coming victories. Gen 22:3 So Abraham got up early the next morning,… and Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground!” Striking the ground portrayed repeated assaults against Aram. Elisha called the king to act decisively in faith, since the Lord had already declared His purpose to deliver Israel from its oppressor. Exo 17:6 Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb.… So he struck the ground three times and stopped. Jehoash ended the action without seeking further instruction or pressing the sign to its fullest extent. His three blows foretold three victories over Aram, but not the complete destruction of its power. God’s promised help was real, yet the king’s restrained response corresponded to a limited outcome. 1Ki 17:21-22 Then he stretched himself out over the child three times… Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the kings of Israel. 2. King of Israel At this time, Jehoash (also known as Joash), who sought Elisha's counsel regarding the Arameans. 3. Arrows Symbolic tools used by Elisha to convey God's message and promise of victory over Aram. 4. Ground The physical location where the symbolic act of striking the arrows took place, representing the battlefield. 5. Arameans The enemy nation threatening Israel, against whom the prophetic act was directed. Teaching Points Obedience to God's InstructionsThe king's partial obedience resulted in limited victory. Complete obedience to God's commands is crucial for full blessings. Faith in Action The act of striking the ground was a test of faith. Our actions should reflect our trust in God's promises. Symbolism in Scripture Understanding the symbolic nature of biblical events can deepen our comprehension of God's messages. Perseverance in Faith The king stopped after three strikes, showing a lack of perseverance. We are called to persist in faith and prayer. Consequences of Limited Faith The king's limited action led to limited victory. Our faith should be bold and unwavering to fully experience God's power. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the king's response to Elisha's command reflect his faith, and what can we learn from this about our own responses to God's instructions?2. In what ways can we apply the lesson of perseverance from this passage to our daily spiritual battles? 3. How does the symbolism of arrows in this passage connect to other biblical uses of arrows, and what does this teach us about God's messages? 4. What are some areas in our lives where we might be practicing partial obedience, and how can we strive for complete obedience to God's will? 5. How can we ensure that our faith is active and not passive, especially when faced with challenges or uncertainties? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 13:14-19Provides context for the event, showing Elisha's final interactions with the king and the symbolic acts that conveyed God's message. Psalm 127:4-5 Arrows are used metaphorically in Scripture to represent children or future generations, highlighting the importance of preparation and faith. Ephesians 6:16 Discusses the "shield of faith," which can be connected to the act of striking the ground as an act of faith and obedience. Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, which relates to the king's need for faith in God's promise through Elisha's instructions.
People Ahaziah, Amaziah, Aram, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Elisha, Hazael, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jehu, Jeroboam, Joash, Moabites, Nebat, SyriansPlaces Aphek, Samaria, SyriaTopics Arrows, Ceased, Elisha, Ground, Smite, Smiteth, Smote, Stayed, Stayeth, Stopped, Strike, Struck, Taketh, ThriceDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 13:1-25Library The Spirit of Power'And Elisha said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands.'--2 KINGS xiii. 16. This is part of one of the strangest narratives in the Old Testament. Elisha is on his deathbed, 'sick of the sickness' wherewith he 'should die.' A very different scene, that close sick-chamber, from the open plain beyond Jordan from which Elijah had gone up; a very different way of passing from life by wasting sickness than by fiery … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Elijah's Translation and Elisha's Deathbed Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C. Kings Links 2 Kings 13:18 NIV2 Kings 13:18 NLT 2 Kings 13:18 ESV 2 Kings 13:18 NASB 2 Kings 13:18 KJV 2 Kings 13:18 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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