◄ 2 Kings 3:15 ►
But now, bring me a harpist." And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha
Study Bible
But now
This phrase indicates a transition or a shift in the narrative. Elisha, the prophet, is about to engage in a prophetic act. The urgency and immediacy of the situation are underscored by these words, suggesting that divine intervention is imminent. In the Hebrew context, such transitions often signal a moment of divine revelation or action.

bring me a harpist
The request for a harpist is significant. In ancient Israel, music was often associated with prophecy and worship. The harp, a stringed instrument, was commonly used in temple worship and prophetic settings. The Hebrew word for harpist, "נגן" (nagan), implies a skilled musician. This request highlights the role of music in creating an atmosphere conducive to receiving divine revelation. It suggests that Elisha sought to prepare his spirit and the environment for the movement of the Holy Spirit.

While the harpist played
The act of playing music serves as a prelude to the prophetic experience. In the biblical tradition, music is not merely entertainment but a means of spiritual preparation and connection with God. The playing of the harp likely helped Elisha focus and attune himself to the voice of God. This reflects the broader biblical theme of worship and music as integral to spiritual life and prophetic ministry.

the hand of the LORD
This phrase is a powerful biblical metaphor for God's presence and power. The "hand of the LORD" signifies divine intervention and empowerment. In Hebrew, "יד יהוה" (yad Yahweh) conveys the idea of God's active involvement in human affairs. This expression is used throughout the Old Testament to describe moments when God exerts His will or imparts His power to individuals, especially prophets.

came upon Elisha
The coming of the LORD's hand upon Elisha indicates a moment of divine inspiration and authority. Elisha, as a prophet, is now under the direct influence of God's Spirit. This phrase underscores the belief that true prophecy is not a human endeavor but a divine act. The Hebrew concept of God's Spirit coming upon someone is often associated with empowerment for a specific task or message.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elisha
A prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for his miracles and guidance to the kings of Israel.

2. Jehoram (Joram)
King of Israel, son of Ahab, who sought Elisha's counsel during a military campaign.

3. Jehoshaphat
King of Judah, a godly king who allied with Jehoram in the campaign against Moab.

4. Moab
A neighboring nation that rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab, leading to the military campaign.

5. Harpist
A musician whose playing facilitated a prophetic atmosphere for Elisha to receive God's message.
Teaching Points
The Role of Worship in Hearing God
Worship, particularly through music, can create an environment conducive to receiving God's guidance. Just as Elisha called for a harpist, we can use worship to focus our hearts and minds on God.

The Hand of the LORD
The phrase "the hand of the LORD" signifies God's power and presence. In our lives, we should seek to be sensitive to God's hand guiding us through His Spirit.

Preparation for Prophetic Insight
Elisha's request for a harpist shows the importance of preparing our hearts to hear from God. We should cultivate spiritual disciplines that help us be receptive to God's voice.

Unity in Seeking God
The alliance of Jehoram and Jehoshaphat, despite their differences, underscores the power of unity in seeking divine guidance. We should strive for unity in our communities when seeking God's will.

God's Guidance in Crisis
The context of this verse is a military crisis. It reminds us that in times of trouble, turning to God for guidance should be our first response.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the presence of music or worship in your life help you to focus on God and hear His voice more clearly?

2. In what ways can you prepare your heart to be more receptive to God's guidance, similar to how Elisha prepared by calling for a harpist?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced "the hand of the LORD" in your life. How did it guide or change your situation?

4. How can you foster unity in your community or church when seeking God's direction, especially in challenging times?

5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that seeking God's guidance is your first response in times of crisis? How does this align with other biblical examples of seeking God in difficult situations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 10:5-6
The use of music in prophetic contexts, as seen when Saul encounters a group of prophets with musical instruments and the Spirit of God comes upon him.

1 Chronicles 25:1-3
The role of music in worship and prophecy, highlighting how David appointed musicians to prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals.

Acts 13:2
The practice of seeking God's guidance through worship and fasting, as the early church did when setting apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work.
Sermons
The MinstrelCharles Haddon Spurgeon 2 Kings 3:15
Man's Extremity is God's OpportunityJ. Orr 2 Kings 3:9-17, 20
Elisha and the MinstrelC.H. Irwwin 2 Kings 3:13-15
Aspects of a Godly ManSpurgeon, Charles Haddon2 Kings 3:13-17
Minstrelsy and InspirationJ. Trapp.2 Kings 3:13-17
MusicWalter Besant.2 Kings 3:13-17
The Church's Use of Secular AidsGeorge Matheson, D. D.2 Kings 3:13-17
Aspects of a Godly ManD. Thomas 2 Kings 3:13-27
People
Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, Shaphat
Places
Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, Samaria
Topics
Bring, Elisha, Fetch, Got, Harpist, Minstrel, Music, Pass, Played, Player, Playing, Power
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 3:11-19

     5422   musicians

2 Kings 3:14-15

     5387   leisure, pastimes

2 Kings 3:14-19

     5420   music

2 Kings 3:15-19

     1431   prophecy, OT methods
     5332   harp

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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