2 Kings 13:14

Elisha's Death

14 When Elisha became sick with the illness that he died from, Jehoash king of Israel went down and wept over him and said, "My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!"^[a]

2 Kings 13:14 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 13:14

Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died,
&c.] The prophets do not live for ever; this sickness was unto death; Elisha died, and was not translated as Elijah was:

and Joash the king came down unto him;
from his palace to the prophet's house, to visit him in his sickness; which was an instance of great condescension and respect, and especially in a wicked prince that could not be reformed by him:

and wept over his face;
held his head over him, and wept, perceiving he was near his end, and sensible that his death would be a public loss; the nation having often reaped the benefit of his prayers, though his counsel and advice were neglected and despised:

and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the
horsemen thereof;
the same words Elisha said to Elijah, as he went up to heaven, which very probably Joash had heard of; (See Gill on 2 Kings 2:12), and here, as there, the Targum is,

``my master, my master, who was better to Israel by his prayers than chariots and horsemen.''

2 Kings 13:14 In-Context

12 The rest of the events of Jehoash's [reign], along with all his accomplishments and the power he had to wage war against Judah's King Amaziah, are written about in the Historical Record of Israel's Kings.

13 Jehoash rested with his fathers, and Jeroboam sat on his throne. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

14 When Elisha became sick with the illness that he died from, Jehoash king of Israel went down and wept over him and said, "My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!"

15 Elisha responded, "Take a bow and arrows." So he got a bow and arrows.

16 Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Put your hand on the bow." So the king put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king's hands.

Footnotes

• [a]. 2 Kg 2:12