◄ 2 Kings 6:31 ►
He announced, "May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!"
Study Bible
May God punish me, and ever so severely
This phrase is a solemn oath, invoking divine retribution upon oneself if the stated intention is not fulfilled. In Hebrew culture, oaths were taken very seriously, often invoking God's name to underscore the gravity of the promise. The phrase reflects the king's intense anger and desperation, as he holds Elisha responsible for the dire situation in Samaria. Historically, such oaths were common in the ancient Near East, serving as a binding contract that called upon the divine to enforce the speaker's words.

if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat
Elisha, the prophet, is identified here as the son of Shaphat, which roots him in his familial and tribal lineage, emphasizing his role as a legitimate prophet of Israel. The mention of his "head" is a metonym for his life, indicating the king's intent to execute him. In the historical context, prophets often faced persecution for their messages, especially when they contradicted the desires of the ruling powers. Elisha's life was frequently threatened due to his bold proclamations and miraculous acts that challenged the status quo.

remains on his shoulders today
This phrase vividly illustrates the immediacy and urgency of the king's threat. The king's frustration is palpable, as he blames Elisha for the famine and siege conditions in Samaria. The historical backdrop involves the Aramean siege of Samaria, which led to extreme famine and desperation among the people. The king's rash vow reflects a common human tendency to seek scapegoats in times of crisis, rather than turning to God in repentance and faith.

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

2. King of Israel
The unnamed king during this time, likely King Jehoram, who is facing a dire situation due to the Aramean siege of Samaria.

3. Samaria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, under siege by the Arameans, leading to a severe famine.

4. Arameans
The enemy nation besieging Samaria, causing distress and desperation among the Israelites.

5. Siege of Samaria
A significant event where the city is surrounded by the Arameans, leading to extreme famine and desperation.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Sovereignty
Despite dire circumstances, believers are called to trust in God's ultimate control and plan, as Elisha did.

Responding to Crisis
The king's reaction to blame Elisha contrasts with seeking God's guidance. In times of crisis, turning to God rather than assigning blame is crucial.

Prophetic Courage
Elisha's steadfastness in the face of threats exemplifies the courage needed to stand firm in faith and truth.

God's Deliverance
The account foreshadows God's deliverance, reminding believers that God can bring relief and resolution in His timing.

Faith Under Pressure
The account challenges believers to maintain faith and integrity even when under pressure or facing persecution.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the king's reaction to the siege reflect human tendencies to blame others in times of crisis? How can we apply a more faith-centered response in our own lives?

2. In what ways does Elisha's role as a prophet challenge us to stand firm in our faith and convictions today?

3. How does the account of the siege of Samaria and its resolution encourage us to trust in God's timing and deliverance?

4. Compare the king's response to adversity with Job's response in the book of Job. What can we learn from these contrasting reactions?

5. How can Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:11-12) provide comfort and guidance when facing persecution or blame for our faith?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 19:19-21
This passage describes Elisha's calling by Elijah, establishing his role as a prophet and leader in Israel.

2 Kings 5:1-14
The healing of Naaman by Elisha, demonstrating his prophetic authority and God's power working through him.

2 Kings 7:1-20
The continuation of the account where Elisha prophesies the end of the famine, showing God's deliverance.

Job 1:20-22
Job's response to suffering contrasts with the king's reaction, highlighting different responses to adversity.

Matthew 5:11-12
Jesus' teaching on persecution for righteousness' sake, relevant to Elisha's situation as a prophet facing hostility.
Sermons
Samaria BesiegedC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 6:24-33
Subjects Worth ConsideringD. Thomas 2 Kings 6:24-33
The Siege of SamariaJ. Orr 2 Kings 6:24-33
Famine, a Judgment of GodH. M. Villiers, M. A.2 Kings 6:25-33
People
Aram, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Elisha, Shaphat, Syrians
Places
Dothan, Jordan River, Samaria, Syria
Topics
Add, Body, Elisha, Eli'sha, God's, Keeps, Punishment, Remains, Severely, Shaphat, Shoulders, Stand, Stay, Thus
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 6:30

     5136   body
     6742   sackcloth and ashes

2 Kings 6:26-30

     5188   tearing of clothes

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: 1891

Of 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

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