2 Kings 13:19

19 The man of God was angry with him, and said, You should have struck five or six times: then had you struck Aram until you had consumed it, whereas now you shall strike Aram but thrice.

2 Kings 13:19 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 13:19

And the man of God was wroth with him
Because he ceased smiting, and smote no oftener; for it was revealed to the prophet, by an impulse upon his mind, that by the number of times he smote on the ground, it would be known how often he should get the victory over his enemies; but this was to be left to the king's own will, how often he would smite, and thereby the prophet would know also with what spirit he would pursue his victories, and the advantages he would gain:

and said, thou shouldest have smitten five or six times, then hadst
thou smitten Syria until thou hadst consumed it;
as a nation, as well as routed their several armies:

whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice;
beat them only three times in battle, according to the number of his smitings on the ground.

2 Kings 13:19 In-Context

17 He said, Open the window eastward; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot; and he shot. He said, the LORD's arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you shall strike the Aram in Afek, until you have consumed them.

18 He said, Take the arrows; and he took them. He said to the king of Yisra'el, Smite on the ground; and he struck thrice, and stayed.

19 The man of God was angry with him, and said, You should have struck five or six times: then had you struck Aram until you had consumed it, whereas now you shall strike Aram but thrice.

20 Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the bands of the Mo`avim invaded the land at the coming in of the year.

21 It happened, as they were burying a man, that behold, they spied a band; and they cast the man into the tomb of Elisha: and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.