2 kings 6:31 - Then he said, “God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat stays on him today.”
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What does "2 kings 6:31" mean?
This verse, 2 Kings 6:31, is spoken by King Jehoram of Israel in a moment of extreme anger and despair. It expresses his resolve to execute the prophet Elisha. Let's break down the meaning:
"Then he said, “God do so to me, and more also...": This is a common type of oath formula in the Old Testament. The speaker is invoking divine punishment upon himself if he fails to carry out what he's about to say. It's a serious commitment, essentially saying, "May God punish me severely if I don't do this."
"...if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat stays on him today.": This is the object of the oath. It means that King Jehoram is determined to have Elisha executed on that very day. He wants Elisha's head to be removed, meaning he intends to kill him.
Context and Interpretation:
To understand why Jehoram makes this drastic threat, we need to consider the context of 2 Kings Chapter 6.
1. Siege of Samaria: Samaria is under siege by the Arameans, resulting in a severe famine. The situation is so dire that people are resorting to cannibalism (2 Kings 6:24-30).
2. King's Blame: Jehoram is frustrated and desperate. He blames Elisha for the situation. He believes that Elisha, as God's prophet, should have been able to prevent the famine or bring deliverance. In the prior passage, a woman has appealed to the King due to the cannibalism, and he tears his robes in grief and anger. As he walks along the wall, he has decided that Elisha is the cause.
3. Misplaced Blame: It's important to note that the famine is likely a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Jehoram, as king, bears responsibility for leading the people astray. However, he's looking for a scapegoat, and he's chosen Elisha.
4. Irony: Earlier in 2 Kings, Elisha had performed miracles to help Israel, including providing food and water. Now, the king wants to kill him because of a famine.
In essence, the verse shows a king driven to the edge by desperate circumstances, lashing out in anger and blaming a prophet of God for his nation's troubles. It highlights Jehoram's lack of faith, his misplaced blame, and his willingness to commit a terrible act to try to solve the crisis.
It is also worth noting that the "son of Shaphat" is used to refer to Elisha. This is not disrespectful. This is how Elisha is often introduced to show who his father was.
2 kings 6:31 - Then he said, “God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat stays on him today.”
What does "2 kings 6:31" mean?
This verse, 2 Kings 6:31, is spoken by King Jehoram of Israel in a moment of extreme anger and despair. It expresses his resolve to execute the prophet Elisha. Let's break down the meaning:
"Then he said, “God do so to me, and more also...": This is a common type of oath formula in the Old Testament. The speaker is invoking divine punishment upon himself if he fails to carry out what he's about to say. It's a serious commitment, essentially saying, "May God punish me severely if I don't do this."
"...if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat stays on him today.": This is the object of the oath. It means that King Jehoram is determined to have Elisha executed on that very day. He wants Elisha's head to be removed, meaning he intends to kill him.
Context and Interpretation:
To understand why Jehoram makes this drastic threat, we need to consider the context of 2 Kings Chapter 6.
1. Siege of Samaria: Samaria is under siege by the Arameans, resulting in a severe famine. The situation is so dire that people are resorting to cannibalism (2 Kings 6:24-30).
2. King's Blame: Jehoram is frustrated and desperate. He blames Elisha for the situation. He believes that Elisha, as God's prophet, should have been able to prevent the famine or bring deliverance. In the prior passage, a woman has appealed to the King due to the cannibalism, and he tears his robes in grief and anger. As he walks along the wall, he has decided that Elisha is the cause.
3. Misplaced Blame: It's important to note that the famine is likely a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Jehoram, as king, bears responsibility for leading the people astray. However, he's looking for a scapegoat, and he's chosen Elisha.
4. Irony: Earlier in 2 Kings, Elisha had performed miracles to help Israel, including providing food and water. Now, the king wants to kill him because of a famine.
In essence, the verse shows a king driven to the edge by desperate circumstances, lashing out in anger and blaming a prophet of God for his nation's troubles. It highlights Jehoram's lack of faith, his misplaced blame, and his willingness to commit a terrible act to try to solve the crisis.
It is also worth noting that the "son of Shaphat" is used to refer to Elisha. This is not disrespectful. This is how Elisha is often introduced to show who his father was.