2 Kings 13:16

16 Then Elisha told the king of Israel, "Take the bow in your hand." So the king picked up the bow. Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands.

2 Kings 13:16 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 13:16

And he said unto the king of Israel, put thine hand upon the
bow, and he put his hand upon it
His left hand:

and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands;
on both his hands, which were put, the one on the bow, the other on the arrow ^F13; hereby signifying, that though the king would draw the bow in battle, the Lord, whom the prophet represented, would give the success; and that it would be by his help, and through his blessing on his arms, that he would obtain victory over his enemies.

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 See Virgil. Aeneid. 11. ver. 831, 862.

2 Kings 13:16 In-Context

14 Elisha became fatally ill. King Jehoash of Israel visited him, cried over him, and said, "Master! Master! Israel's chariot and horses!"

15 Elisha told him, "Get a bow and some arrows." So he got a bow and some arrows.

16 Then Elisha told the king of Israel, "Take the bow in your hand." So the king picked up the bow. Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands.

17 Elisha said, "Open the window that faces east." So the king opened it. "Shoot," Elisha said, and the king shot. Then Elisha said, "That is the arrow of the LORD's victory, the arrow of victory against Aram. You will completely defeat the Arameans at Aphek."

18 Then Elisha said, "Take the arrows." So the king took them. "Stomp on them," he told the king of Israel. The king stomped three times and stopped.