2 Kings 3:15

15 But now bring me a minstrel." And when the minstrel played, the power of the LORD came upon him.

2 Kings 3:15 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 3:15

But now bring me a minstrel
A piper, a man that knows how to play upon the harp, as the Targum; according to Procopius Gazaeus, this was one of the Levites he ordered to be fetched, who was used to the spiritual melody of David, and could play on musical instruments as he directed. This he did to allay his passion, and compose his spirits, ruffled at the sight of Jehoram, and to fit him to receive prophetic inspiration, which sometimes came upon the Lord's prophets when thus employed, see ( 1 Samuel 10:5 ) . Some think F8 the music the prophet called for is that sort the Greeks call "harmony", which is the gravest and saddest, and settles the affections:

and it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the
Lord came upon him;
the spirit of prophecy, as the Targum, which came by the power of God, and as a gift from his hand.


FOOTNOTES:

F8 Weemse's Christ. Synagog. l. 1. c. 6. sect. 4. p. 143.

2 Kings 3:15 In-Context

13 And Eli'sha said to the king of Israel, "What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother." But the king of Israel said to him, "No; it is the LORD who has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab."
14 And Eli'sha said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, whom I serve, were it not that I have regard for Jehosh'aphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you, nor see you.
15 But now bring me a minstrel." And when the minstrel played, the power of the LORD came upon him.
16 And he said, "Thus says the LORD, 'I will make this dry stream-bed full of pools.'
17 For thus says the LORD, 'You shall not see wind or rain, but that stream-bed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your cattle, and your beasts.'
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.