Kings II 2:22

22 And Abenner said yet again to Asael, Stand aloof from me, lest I smite thee to the ground? and how should I lift up my face to Joab?

Kings II 2:22 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 2:22

So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the
saying of Elisha which he spake.
] In the name of the Lord; and not only they remained so unto the time of the writer of this history, but to the times of Josephus, as he testifies ^F19, and even to ours; for there is a spring now called Elisha's spring or fountain, of which Mr. Maundrell says ^F20,

``its waters are at present received in a basin about nine or ten paces long, and five or six broad; and from thence issuing out in good plenty, divide themselves into several small streams, dispersing their refreshment to all the field between this and Jericho, and rendering it exceeding fruitful.''

So some other travellers ^F21 say of it, that the water is very clear and cool, and issues in a copious steam. Pliny ^F23 gives it the name of "Calirroe", the beautiful stream, and speaks of it as hot, wholesome, and medicinal, and of great note.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F19 De Bello Jud. l. 4. c. 8. sect. 3.
F20 Journey from Aleppo p. 80.
F21 Egmont and Heyman's Travels, vol. 1. p. 331.
F23 Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 16.

Kings II 2:22 In-Context

20 And Abenner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asael himself? and he said, I am.

21 And Abenner said to him, Turn thou to the right hand or to the left, and lay hold for thyself on one of the young men, and take to thyself his armour: but Asel would not turn back from following him.

22 And Abenner said yet again to Asael, Stand aloof from me, lest I smite thee to the ground? and how should I lift up my face to Joab?

23 And what does this mean? return to Joab thy brother? But he would not stand aloof; and Abenner smites him with the hinder end of the spear on the loins, and the spear went out behind him, and he falls there and dies on the spot: and it came to pass that every one that came to the place where Asael fell and died, stood still.

24 And Joab and Abessa pursued after Abenner, and the sun went down: and they went as far as the hill of Amman, which is in the front of Gai, by the desert way of Gabaon.