◄ 2 Kings 3:11 ►
But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him." And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah."
Study Bible
But Jehoshaphat asked
Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, is portrayed as a ruler who seeks divine guidance. His inquiry reflects a heart inclined towards God, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's will in times of uncertainty. Historically, Jehoshaphat is known for his reforms and efforts to bring Judah back to the worship of Yahweh, which aligns with his desire to consult a prophet.

Is there no prophet of the LORD here
This phrase underscores the significance of prophets in Israelite society as mediators between God and the people. The Hebrew term for "prophet" is "navi," which denotes someone who is called to speak on behalf of God. Jehoshaphat's question highlights the need for divine direction and the recognition of prophets as vessels of God's revelation.

through whom we may inquire of the LORD
The act of inquiring of the LORD indicates a dependence on divine wisdom rather than human understanding. In the Hebrew context, "inquire" (darash) implies seeking with diligence and care. This reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and a desire to align with His purposes.

An officer of the king of Israel answered
The presence of an officer, or servant, who knows of Elisha suggests that even within the apostate kingdom of Israel, there are those who recognize the true prophets of God. This highlights the remnant of faithfulness that exists even in spiritually dark times.

Elisha son of Shaphat is here
Elisha, the successor of Elijah, is introduced as a prophet of God. His name means "God is salvation," which is fitting given his role in delivering God's messages. The mention of his father, Shaphat, roots Elisha in a historical and familial context, emphasizing the continuity of God's work through generations.

He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah
This phrase signifies Elisha's humble beginnings and his service under Elijah. In ancient Near Eastern culture, pouring water on someone's hands was a menial task, indicating servitude. However, it also symbolizes preparation and faithfulness, as Elisha was being trained and prepared for his prophetic ministry. This serves as an inspirational reminder that God often prepares His servants through humble service before entrusting them with greater responsibilities.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jehoshaphat
The king of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God and his desire to seek divine guidance.

2. Elisha
A prophet of the LORD, successor to Elijah, known for his powerful ministry and miracles.

3. Elijah
A major prophet in Israel, known for his confrontation with the prophets of Baal and his mentorship of Elisha.

4. The King of Israel
At this time, Jehoram, son of Ahab, who was not fully devoted to the LORD.

5. The Officer
A servant or official in the king of Israel's court who recognizes Elisha's presence and his connection to Elijah.
Teaching Points
Seeking Godly Counsel
Jehoshaphat's inquiry for a prophet emphasizes the importance of seeking divine guidance in decision-making. As believers, we should prioritize seeking God's will through prayer and Scripture.

The Role of Mentorship
Elisha's service to Elijah ("pouring water on the hands") highlights the value of mentorship and humble service in spiritual growth. We should seek to both mentor others and be mentored in our faith journey.

Recognizing God's Servants
The officer's recognition of Elisha points to the importance of acknowledging and respecting those whom God has called to lead and guide His people. We should honor and support spiritual leaders in our communities.

Faithfulness in Small Things
Elisha's humble beginnings in service to Elijah remind us that faithfulness in small tasks prepares us for greater responsibilities. We should be diligent and faithful in all that God entrusts to us.

Unity Among Believers
The collaboration between Jehoshaphat and the king of Israel, despite their differences, underscores the need for unity among God's people in seeking His purposes. We should strive for unity and cooperation within the body of Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jehoshaphat's approach to seeking God's guidance challenge or inspire your own decision-making process?

2. In what ways can you identify a mentor or become a mentor to someone in your spiritual community?

3. How can you better recognize and support the spiritual leaders God has placed in your life?

4. What small tasks or responsibilities has God given you, and how can you be more faithful in them?

5. How can you promote unity and cooperation among believers in your church or community, especially when there are differences?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 19:19-21
This passage describes Elisha's calling by Elijah, highlighting his initial commitment and service, which is referenced in 2 Kings 3:11.

2 Kings 2:9-15
Details Elisha's request for a double portion of Elijah's spirit and his subsequent anointing, establishing his authority as a prophet.

2 Chronicles 18:4-7
Jehoshaphat's consistent practice of seeking the LORD's guidance through prophets is evident in his alliance with Ahab.

James 5:17-18
Elijah's powerful prayer life is mentioned, which underscores the spiritual legacy Elisha inherits and continues.
Sermons
Contrast Between Elijah and ElishaH. J. Howat.2 Kings 3:11
The Present Ministry2 Kings 3:11
Forgetting God, and its ResultsC.H. Irwwin 2 Kings 3:4-12
Worldly Rulers - Men in Trial Seeking Help from a Godly ManD. Thomas 2 Kings 3:6-12
Man's Extremity is God's OpportunityJ. Orr 2 Kings 3:9-17, 20
People
Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, Shaphat
Places
Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, Samaria
Topics
Answereth, Directions, Elijah, Eli'jah, Elisha, Eli'sha, Enquire, Hands, Inquire, Isn't, Israel's, Jehoshaphat, Jehosh'aphat, Officer, Pour, Poured, Prophet, Seek, Servant, Servants, Shaphat
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 3:11

     1175   God, will of
     7773   prophets, role
     8648   enquiring of God

2 Kings 3:11-19

     5422   musicians

Library
Sight and Blindness
'Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. 9. And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that them pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. 10. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. 11. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Minstrel
ELISHA needed that the Holy Spirit should come upon him to inspire him with prophetic utterances. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." We need that the hand of the Lord should be laid upon us, for we can never open our mouths in wisdom except we are under the divine touch. Now, the Spirit of God works according to his own will. "The wind bloweth where it listeth," and the Spirit of God operates as he chooseth. Elisha could not prophesy just when he liked; he must wait until …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 27: 1881

The Old Testament and Archeology
A century ago the student of the world's history found it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to paint for himself a clear picture of events antedating B.C. 400. Concerning earlier periods, he was, aside from the Old Testament, practically without records that could claim contemporaneousness with the events recorded. But, one hundred years ago, men had commenced to test every statement, be it historical, or scientific, or theological, by severe canons of criticism, and if it could not stand …
Frederick Carl Eiselen—The Christian View of the Old Testament

Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's Answer, Briefly Considered.
"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with, thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first born for my transgression; the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?--He hath shewed thee, 0 man, what is good: And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" As mankind are …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Secret of Its Greatness
[Illustration: (drop cap G) The Great Pyramid] God always chooses the right kind of people to do His work. Not only so, He always gives to those whom He chooses just the sort of life which will best prepare them for the work He will one day call them to do. That is why God put it into the heart of Pharaoh's daughter to bring up Moses as her own son in the Egyptian palace. The most important part of Moses' training was that his heart should be right with God, and therefore he was allowed to remain …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

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

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