2 kings 13:14 - Now Elisha became sick with the illness of which he died; and Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over him, and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”
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What does "2 kings 13:14" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 13:14 marks the beginning of the end for the prophet Elisha. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Now Elisha became sick with the illness of which he died..." This is straightforward: Elisha, the great prophet, is now nearing his death. The verse emphasizes that his illness is terminal. Even prophets, touched by God, are not immune to the mortal cycle of sickness and death.
"...and Joash the king of Israel came down to him..." King Joash (also sometimes called Jehoash) of Israel, despite generally being considered a weak and vacillating king, recognizes the importance of Elisha. He travels to visit the prophet in his final days.
"...and wept over him..." This is a display of genuine grief and respect on the part of the king. Joash clearly valued Elisha's presence and prophetic guidance. Kings often had prophets in their court, seeking divine guidance, so his weeping speaks of more than just losing an advisor; it suggests a deep-seated respect.
"...and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”" This is the most significant part of the verse and echoes the words Elisha himself spoke when Elijah was taken up into heaven (2 Kings 2:12). Here, the king is using the same language to describe Elisha's importance and value to Israel.
"My father, my father...": This isn't a literal statement of kinship. It's a term of great respect and endearment, acknowledging Elisha's role as a spiritual father and guide to the nation. It indicates a teacher/student dynamic, or a protector/protected relationship.
"...the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!": This is the critical part. It means that Elisha, through his prayers and prophetic power, was as vital to Israel's defense and protection as a powerful army with chariots and horsemen. He was the spiritual bulwark of the nation. Joash understands that with Elisha gone, Israel is losing a significant source of divine protection and power. Israel's true strength wasn't in its military might alone, but in its relationship with God, and Elisha was the key link in that relationship. Chariots and horsemen were the symbol of military power at the time, so he is equating Elisha's value to that of the strongest, most important military force.
In essence, the verse conveys the following:
1. Elisha's mortality: Even the most powerful prophets are subject to death.
2. Joash's respect for Elisha: The king recognizes Elisha's importance and mourns his impending loss.
3. Elisha's crucial role in Israel's safety: The king acknowledges that Elisha's prophetic power and relationship with God are more valuable than military strength. With Elisha's death, Israel loses a vital defense.
4. Transition of Power: Symbolically, with Elisha's death, there is also the transition of leadership and protection from the prophetic to the kingship. Joash is lamenting because with Elisha's death, the weight of protecting Israel now falls solely on his shoulders. He may be realizing his own inadequacy for the task.
The verse sets the stage for the narrative that follows, where Elisha, even on his deathbed, continues to prophesy and influence the future of Israel.
2 kings 13:14 - Now Elisha became sick with the illness of which he died; and Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over him, and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”
What does "2 kings 13:14" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 13:14 marks the beginning of the end for the prophet Elisha. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Now Elisha became sick with the illness of which he died..." This is straightforward: Elisha, the great prophet, is now nearing his death. The verse emphasizes that his illness is terminal. Even prophets, touched by God, are not immune to the mortal cycle of sickness and death.
"...and Joash the king of Israel came down to him..." King Joash (also sometimes called Jehoash) of Israel, despite generally being considered a weak and vacillating king, recognizes the importance of Elisha. He travels to visit the prophet in his final days.
"...and wept over him..." This is a display of genuine grief and respect on the part of the king. Joash clearly valued Elisha's presence and prophetic guidance. Kings often had prophets in their court, seeking divine guidance, so his weeping speaks of more than just losing an advisor; it suggests a deep-seated respect.
"...and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”" This is the most significant part of the verse and echoes the words Elisha himself spoke when Elijah was taken up into heaven (2 Kings 2:12). Here, the king is using the same language to describe Elisha's importance and value to Israel.
"My father, my father...": This isn't a literal statement of kinship. It's a term of great respect and endearment, acknowledging Elisha's role as a spiritual father and guide to the nation. It indicates a teacher/student dynamic, or a protector/protected relationship.
"...the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!": This is the critical part. It means that Elisha, through his prayers and prophetic power, was as vital to Israel's defense and protection as a powerful army with chariots and horsemen. He was the spiritual bulwark of the nation. Joash understands that with Elisha gone, Israel is losing a significant source of divine protection and power. Israel's true strength wasn't in its military might alone, but in its relationship with God, and Elisha was the key link in that relationship. Chariots and horsemen were the symbol of military power at the time, so he is equating Elisha's value to that of the strongest, most important military force.
In essence, the verse conveys the following:
1. Elisha's mortality: Even the most powerful prophets are subject to death.
2. Joash's respect for Elisha: The king recognizes Elisha's importance and mourns his impending loss.
3. Elisha's crucial role in Israel's safety: The king acknowledges that Elisha's prophetic power and relationship with God are more valuable than military strength. With Elisha's death, Israel loses a vital defense.
4. Transition of Power: Symbolically, with Elisha's death, there is also the transition of leadership and protection from the prophetic to the kingship. Joash is lamenting because with Elisha's death, the weight of protecting Israel now falls solely on his shoulders. He may be realizing his own inadequacy for the task.
The verse sets the stage for the narrative that follows, where Elisha, even on his deathbed, continues to prophesy and influence the future of Israel.