2 Kings 3:15

15 But now, bring me a harpist. ^[a]” And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

2 Kings 3:15 In-Context

13 Elisha, however, said to the king of Israel, “What have we to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and of your mother!” “No,” replied the king of Israel, “for it is the LORD who has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab.”

14 Then Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not for my regard for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or acknowledge you.

15 But now, bring me a harpist. ” And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha

16 and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’

17 For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’

Footnotes

• [a]. Or a musician; twice in this verse