Then Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not for my regard for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or acknowledge you. Then Elisha saidElisha, the prophet and successor of Elijah, speaks with authority and confidence. His role as a prophet is to convey God's messages to the people and their leaders. The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) implies a declaration or proclamation, emphasizing the weight and seriousness of his words. Elisha's speech is not merely his own but is inspired by divine authority. As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives
This phrase is an oath, invoking the living God, the "LORD of Hosts" (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, Yahweh Tseva'ot), a title that emphasizes God's sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies. It underscores the reality and power of God, who is actively involved in the affairs of the world. The use of this title reflects the belief in God's omnipotence and His role as a divine warrior who fights for His people. before whom I stand
Elisha acknowledges his position as a servant of God, standing in His presence. The phrase "before whom I stand" indicates a posture of readiness and obedience, reminiscent of a court official standing before a king. It highlights Elisha's role as a mediator between God and the people, emphasizing his accountability to God above all. if I did not have regard for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah
Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, is noted for his faithfulness to God, contrasting with the idolatrous practices of the northern kingdom of Israel. Elisha's regard for Jehoshaphat signifies the importance of righteous leadership and the blessings that accompany it. The Hebrew word for "regard" (נָשָׂא, nasa) can mean to lift up or to show favor, indicating Elisha's respect for Jehoshaphat's godliness. I would not look at you or acknowledge you
Elisha's words to the king of Israel, likely Jehoram, are a rebuke. The phrase "look at you or acknowledge you" suggests a deliberate choice to ignore or dismiss someone. In the Hebrew context, to "look" (רָאָה, ra'ah) and "acknowledge" (נָכַר, nakar) implies recognition and acceptance. Elisha's refusal to do so underscores the king's unworthiness due to his departure from God's ways, highlighting the consequences of disobedience and the importance of aligning with God's will. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for his miracles and guidance to the kings of Israel and Judah. 2. JehoshaphatThe king of Judah, noted for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to rid Judah of idolatry. 3. Jehoram (Joram)The king of Israel, son of Ahab, who continued in the sins of his father, though not as severely. 4. The LORD of HostsA title for God emphasizing His sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies. 5. The AllianceThe coalition of Israel, Judah, and Edom against Moab, which had rebelled against Israel. Teaching Points Respect for Godly LeadershipElisha's regard for Jehoshaphat highlights the importance of respecting and valuing leaders who are faithful to God. God's SovereigntyThe title "LORD of Hosts" reminds us of God's ultimate authority and power over all earthly and heavenly realms. The Influence of RighteousnessJehoshaphat's presence brought favor and attention from God's prophet, illustrating how righteousness can influence outcomes. Discernment in AlliancesThe alliance between Israel, Judah, and Edom serves as a reminder to seek God's guidance in forming partnerships and alliances. Standing Before GodElisha's declaration of standing before the LORD challenges us to live with an awareness of God's presence and authority in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elisha's response to Jehoram and Jehoshaphat reflect the importance of godly leadership in our lives today? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our alliances and partnerships align with God's will, as seen in the coalition against Moab? 3. How does the title "LORD of Hosts" influence our understanding of God's power and authority in our personal challenges? 4. What can we learn from Jehoshaphat's influence on Elisha about the impact of living a righteous life? 5. How can we cultivate a life that stands before God, as Elisha did, in our daily walk with Him? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 22Jehoshaphat's previous alliance with Ahab, Jehoram's father, showing a pattern of alliances between Judah and Israel. 2 Chronicles 17-20Details of Jehoshaphat's reign, his reforms, and his faithfulness to God, providing context for Elisha's respect. Exodus 3:14The phrase "before whom I stand" echoes Moses' encounter with God, emphasizing the prophet's role as God's representative. James 5:16-18The power of a righteous person's prayer, as seen in Elisha's intercession for the kings. People Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, ShaphatPlaces Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, SamariaTopics Almighty, Armies, Elisha, Eli'sha, Face, Hosts, Jehoshaphat, Jehosh'aphat, Judah, Lifting, Notice, Presence, Regard, Respect, Servant, Serve, Stand, Stood, Surely, Towards, UnlessDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 3:14 8471 respect, for human beings 2 Kings 3:11-19 5422 musicians 2 Kings 3:14-15 5387 leisure, pastimes
5405 medicine 2 Kings 3:14-19 5420 music 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 ScriptureThe 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 Links 2 Kings 3:14 NIV2 Kings 3:14 NLT2 Kings 3:14 ESV2 Kings 3:14 NASB2 Kings 3:14 KJV
2 Kings 3:14 Commentaries
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