◄ 2 Kings 6:33 ►
While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, "This calamity is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?"
Study Bible
While he was still speaking with them
This phrase sets the scene in a moment of urgency and tension. The Hebrew root for "speaking" (דָּבַר, dabar) often implies not just casual conversation but a significant or authoritative communication. In the context of 2 Kings, Elisha is engaged in a critical dialogue, likely offering counsel or prophecy. This highlights the importance of divine communication in times of crisis, reminding believers of the necessity to seek God's wisdom and guidance continually.

the messenger came down to him
The term "messenger" (מַלְאָךְ, mal'akh) can refer to a human envoy or an angelic being. Here, it is a human sent by the king, indicating the urgency of the king's message. The act of "coming down" suggests a descent from a place of authority or urgency, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Historically, messengers were vital in ancient times for conveying urgent news, reflecting the immediacy of the king's desperation and the dire circumstances facing Samaria.

and said, 'This disaster is from the LORD.'
The acknowledgment that the "disaster" (רָעָה, ra'ah) is from the LORD reflects a theological understanding that God is sovereign over all events, both good and bad. This aligns with the conservative Christian perspective that God uses circumstances to fulfill His divine purposes. The historical context of the siege of Samaria by the Arameans underscores the belief that God allows trials to bring His people to repentance and reliance on Him.

Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?
This rhetorical question reveals a crisis of faith and impatience. The Hebrew word for "wait" (יָחַל, yachal) implies hope and expectation. The speaker's frustration suggests a struggle with trusting God's timing and purposes. In the broader scriptural context, waiting on the LORD is a recurring theme, encouraging believers to trust in God's perfect timing and faithfulness, even when circumstances seem dire. This verse challenges Christians to maintain faith and patience, trusting that God's plans are ultimately for their good and His glory.

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

2. The Messenger
Sent by the king of Israel, likely Jehoram, to confront Elisha during a time of crisis.

3. The King of Israel
Likely King Jehoram, who is facing a dire situation due to the siege of Samaria by the Arameans.

4. Samaria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, under siege, leading to severe famine.

5. The LORD
The God of Israel, who is perceived by the king as the source of the disaster due to the siege.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Sovereignty
Even in dire circumstances, recognize that God is in control and His plans are for our ultimate good.

The Danger of Impatience
Impatience can lead to doubt and rash decisions. Waiting on the Lord requires faith and trust in His timing.

The Role of Prophets and God's Word
Prophets like Elisha were God's mouthpieces. Today, we have the Bible as our guide and source of truth.

Recognizing God's Discipline
Sometimes, hardships are a form of divine discipline meant to draw us closer to God and reliance on Him.

Hope in Desperation
In moments of despair, remember that God can turn situations around in ways we cannot foresee.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the king's reaction to the siege reflect our own tendencies to doubt in difficult times?

2. What can we learn from Elisha's response to the king's messenger about maintaining faith under pressure?

3. How do other scriptures about waiting on the Lord (e.g., Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 27:14) encourage us in times of crisis?

4. In what ways can we apply the lesson of trusting God's timing in our personal lives today?

5. How can we discern when a difficult situation is a form of God's discipline, and how should we respond?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 7:1-2
Elisha's prophecy about the end of the siege and the provision of food, demonstrating God's power and timing.

Isaiah 40:31
The theme of waiting on the Lord and the renewal of strength, contrasting the king's impatience.

Psalm 27:14
Encouragement to wait for the Lord, highlighting trust and patience in God's timing.

James 5:7-8
The call for patience and perseverance, similar to the need for faith during trials.

Habakkuk 2:3
Assurance that God's promises will come to pass in His timing, relevant to the king's doubt.
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
Behold, Disaster, Evil, Longer, Messenger, Speaking, Talked, Talking, Trouble, Wait, Waiting, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 6:33

     5883   impatience

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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