Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version While he was still talking to them, the messenger came down to him. The king said, “This disaster is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” New Living Translation While Elisha was still saying this, the messenger arrived. And the king said, “All this misery is from the LORD! Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” English Standard Version And while he was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him and said, “This trouble is from the LORD! Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” Berean Standard Bible While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, “This calamity is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” King James Bible And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer? New King James Version And while he was still talking with them, there was the messenger, coming down to him; and then the king said, “Surely this calamity is from the LORD; why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” New American Standard Bible While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him and he said, “Behold, this evil is from the LORD; why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” NASB 1995 While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him and he said, “Behold, this evil is from the LORD; why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” NASB 1977 And while he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him, and he said, “Behold, this evil is from the LORD; why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” Legacy Standard Bible While he was still speaking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him and he said, “Behold, this evil is from Yahweh; why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?” Amplified Bible While Elisha was still talking with them, the messenger came down to him [followed by the king] and the king said, “This evil [situation] is from the LORD! Why should I wait for [help from] the LORD any longer?” Christian Standard Bible While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, “This disaster is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, “This disaster is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” American Standard Version And while he was yet talking with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of Jehovah; why should I wait for Jehovah any longer? Contemporary English Version Before Elisha finished talking, the messenger came up and said, "The LORD has made all these terrible things happen to us. Why should I think he will help us now?" English Revised Version And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the LORD; why should I wait for the LORD any longer? GOD'S WORD® Translation While he was still talking to them, the messenger arrived. He said to Elisha, "This severe famine is from the LORD. Why should I wait any longer for the LORD [to help us]?" Good News Translation He had hardly finished saying this, when the king arrived and said, "It's the LORD who has brought this trouble on us! Why should I wait any longer for him to do something?" International Standard Version While he was still talking with them, the messenger arrived to see him and delivered the king's message to Elisha, "Look! This evil has come from the LORD! Why should I wait for the LORD anymore?" Majority Standard Bible While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, ?This calamity is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?? NET Bible He was still talking to them when the messenger approached and said, "Look, the LORD is responsible for this disaster! Why should I continue to wait for the LORD to help?" New Heart English Bible While he was still talking with them, look, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, "Look, this disaster is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?" Webster's Bible Translation And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down to him: and he said, Behold, this evil is from the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer? World English Bible While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, “Behold, this evil is from Yahweh. Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHe is yet speaking with them, and behold, the messenger is coming down to him, and he says, “Behold, this [is] the calamity from YHWH; why do I wait for YHWH anymore?” Young's Literal Translation He is yet speaking with them, and lo, the messenger is coming down unto him, and he saith, 'Lo, this is the evil from Jehovah: what -- do I wait for Jehovah any more?' Smith's Literal Translation While yet speaking with them, behold, the messenger will come down to him: and he will say, Behold, this evil from Jehovah; what more shall I wait for Jehovah? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhile he was yet speaking to them, the messenger appeared who was coming to him. And he said: Behold, so great an evil is from the Lord: what shall I look for more from the Lord? Catholic Public Domain Version While he was still speaking to them, the messenger appeared who was sent to him. And he said: “Behold, such a great evil is from the Lord! What more should I expect from the Lord?” New American Bible While Elisha was still speaking, the messenger came down to him and said, “This evil is from the LORD. Why should I trust in the LORD any longer?” New Revised Standard Version While he was still speaking with them, the king came down to him and said, “This trouble is from the LORD! Why should I hope in the LORD any longer?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd while he was still speaking with them, the messenger came to him; and he said, Behold, this evil is from the LORD; why should I pray to the LORD any longer? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And while he was speaking with them, the Messenger came to him and said: “Behold, this evil is from before LORD JEHOVAH! Why shall I pray again to LORD JEHOVAH?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him; and [the king] said: 'Behold, this evil is of the LORD; why should I wait for the LORD any longer?' Brenton Septuagint Translation While he was yet speaking with them, behold, a messenger came to him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the Lord; why should I wait for the Lord any longer? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Siege and Famine of Samaria…32Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?” 33While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, “This calamity is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” Cross References 2 Kings 5:7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper? Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me!” 2 Kings 3:10 “Alas,” said the king of Israel, “for the LORD has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!” 1 Kings 21:20 When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD. 1 Kings 18:17 When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” 1 Samuel 28:15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am deeply distressed,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.” Isaiah 8:21-22 They will roam the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged; and looking upward, they will curse their king and their God. / Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness. Jeremiah 15:10 Woe to me, my mother, that you have borne me, a man of strife and conflict in all the land. I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me. Jeremiah 20:7-8 You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. / For whenever I speak, I cry out; I proclaim violence and destruction. For the word of the LORD has become to me a reproach and derision all day long. Job 2:9 Then Job’s wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!” Psalm 37:1-2 Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. / For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants. Psalm 73:11-14 The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?” / Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree as they increase their wealth. / Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands. ... Matthew 11:3 to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?” Matthew 27:39-43 And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads / and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” / In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, ... Luke 7:19-23 So John called two of his disciples and sent them to ask the Lord, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?” / When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?’” / At that very hour Jesus healed many people of their diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and He gave sight to many who were blind. ... Luke 23:35 The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” Treasury of Scripture And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down to him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer? this evil is of the Lord Genesis 4:13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Exodus 16:6-8 And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: … 1 Samuel 28:6-8 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets… wait for the Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 37:7,9 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass… Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. Jump to Previous Evil Longer Messenger Speaking Talked Talking Trouble Wait WaitingJump to Next Evil Longer Messenger Speaking Talked Talking Trouble Wait Waiting2 Kings 6 1. Elisha, allowing the young prophets to enlarge dwellings, floats an axhead8. He discloses the king of Syria's counsel 13. The army which was sent to Dothan to apprehend Elisha, is blinded 19. Being brought into Samaria, they are dismissed in peace 24. The famine in Samaria causes women to eat their own children 30. The king sends to slay Elisha While Elisha was still speaking with them Elisha, the prophet, was in conversation with the elders of Israel. This setting highlights the role of prophets as intermediaries between God and His people. Elisha's presence signifies divine guidance during a time of crisis, as the city of Samaria was under siege by the Arameans. Prophets often provided counsel and direction, as seen throughout the Old Testament, such as with Samuel and David. the messenger came down to him And the king said “This calamity is from the LORD Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for his miracles and guidance to the kings of Israel. 2. The Messenger Sent by the king of Israel, likely Jehoram, to confront Elisha during a time of crisis. 3. The King of Israel Likely King Jehoram, who is facing a dire situation due to the siege of Samaria by the Arameans. 4. Samaria The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, under siege, leading to severe famine. 5. The LORD The God of Israel, who is perceived by the king as the source of the disaster due to the siege. Teaching Points Trust in God's SovereigntyEven in dire circumstances, recognize that God is in control and His plans are for our ultimate good. The Danger of Impatience Impatience can lead to doubt and rash decisions. Waiting on the Lord requires faith and trust in His timing. The Role of Prophets and God's Word Prophets like Elisha were God's mouthpieces. Today, we have the Bible as our guide and source of truth. Recognizing God's Discipline Sometimes, hardships are a form of divine discipline meant to draw us closer to God and reliance on Him. Hope in Desperation In moments of despair, remember that God can turn situations around in ways we cannot foresee.(33) Yet talked.--Was still speaking. The messenger.--Ewal?s correction, "the king" (melek for ma??k), is certainly right. In the rapid progress of the story, the arrival and momentary exclusion of the messenger is understood. The approach of the king may have been seen from the upper part of Elisha's house. Came down.--Was coming down, to the prophet's house, from the ramparts. (Comp. 2Kings 5:24.) And he said.--That is, the king said. Behold, this evil is of the Lord.--Rather, Behold, such (this) is the distress from Jehovah. Things have come to this pitch by the will of Jehovah. What (rather, why) should I wait for the Lord any longer?--As I have hitherto done, at your persuasion. Why should I not now surrender to the Syrians, and slay the prophet who has so long deluded me with vain hopes? Verse 33. - And while he yet talked with them - i.e., while Elisha yet talked with the elders, endeavoring probably to persuade them to stop the messenger - behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said. The narrative is very compressed and elliptical. Some suppose words to have fallen out (as וחמלך אחריו after אליו); but this is unnecessary. The reader is expected to supply missing links, and to understand that all happened as Elisha had predicted and enjoined - that the messenger came, that the elders stopped him, and that the king shortly arrived. The king was, of course, admitted, and, being admitted, took the word, and said, Behold, this evil is of the Lord; what - rather, why - should I wait for the Lord any longer? Jehoram had, apparently, to some extent repented of his hasty message, and had hurried after his messenger, to give Elisha one further chance of life. We must understand that they had been in communication previously on the subject of the siege, and that Elisha had encouraged the king to "wait for" an interposition of Jehovah. The king now urges that the time for waiting is over; matters are at the last gasp; "this evil" this terrible suffering which can no longer be endured - "is of the Lord," has come from him, is continued by him, and is not relieved. What use is there in his "waiting" any longer? Why should he not break with Jehovah, behead the lying prophet, and surrender the town? What has Elisha to say in reply? |
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