And Elisha said unto him, take bow and arrows The usual instruments of war in those days: and he took unto him bow and arrows; which though they might not be had in the house of the prophet, he could have some from his guards that attended him.
13
Jehoash died and was buried in the royal tombs in Samaria, and his son Jeroboam II succeeded him as king.
14
The prophet Elisha was sick with a fatal disease, and as he lay dying, King Jehoash of Israel went to visit him. "My father, my father!" he exclaimed as he wept. "You have been the mighty defender of Israel!"
15
"Get a bow and some arrows," Elisha ordered him. Jehoash got them,
16
and Elisha told him to get ready to shoot. The king did so, and Elisha placed his hands on the king's hands.
17
Then, following the prophet's instructions, the king opened the window that faced toward Syria. "Shoot the arrow!" Elisha ordered. As soon as the king shot the arrow, the prophet exclaimed, "You are the Lord's arrow, with which he will win victory over Syria. You will fight the Syrians in Aphek until you defeat them."
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.