2 Kings 13:19

But the man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have struck the ground five or six times. Then you would have struck down Aram until you had put an end to it. But now you will strike down Aram only three times."

Study Bible

So the man of God
This phrase refers to Elisha, a prominent prophet in Israel. The title "man of God" underscores his divine calling and authority. In Hebrew, "man of God" is "ish ha-Elohim," indicating someone who speaks on behalf of God. Elisha's role as a prophet was to guide, instruct, and sometimes rebuke the kings and people of Israel, serving as a conduit for God's will.

was angry with him
Elisha's anger is not personal but righteous, reflecting God's disappointment. The Hebrew word for "angry" here is "qatsaph," which conveys a sense of indignation or wrath. This emotion is directed at King Jehoash's lack of faith and understanding. Elisha's anger is a teaching moment, emphasizing the importance of complete trust and obedience to God's instructions.

and said, 'You should have struck the ground five or six times
The act of striking the ground symbolizes an act of faith and determination. In the ancient Near Eastern context, physical actions often represented spiritual realities. The number "five or six" suggests completeness and thoroughness. Elisha's instruction implies that a more persistent and vigorous response would have resulted in a total victory over Aram.

then you would have struck down Aram until you had put an end to it
This phrase highlights the potential for total victory that was lost due to half-hearted action. The Hebrew word for "struck down" is "nakah," meaning to defeat or destroy. The historical context here is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Aram (modern-day Syria), where God was willing to grant Israel complete deliverance if the king had demonstrated greater faith.

But now you will strike down Aram only three times
The limitation to "three times" signifies a partial victory. The number three in Hebrew culture often represents completeness, but in this context, it indicates a limited success due to the king's insufficient faith. This serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of not fully trusting in God's promises and instructions.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Elisha
The prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. He is known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the kings of Israel.

2. King Jehoash (Joash) of Israel
The king of Israel during this time, who sought Elisha's counsel regarding the Arameans.

3. Aram (Syria)
A neighboring nation and frequent adversary of Israel during this period.

4. The Arrow Incident
An event where Elisha instructs King Jehoash to strike the ground with arrows as a symbolic act of victory over Aram.

5. The Anger of Elisha
Elisha's response to Jehoash's lack of zeal and faith, which limited Israel's victory over Aram.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Faith and Zeal
Jehoash's half-hearted obedience resulted in limited victory. Our faith and zeal in following God's instructions can determine the extent of our spiritual victories.

Symbolic Acts of Faith
The act of striking the ground was symbolic, yet it required faith. In our lives, God may call us to perform acts that seem insignificant but are crucial in His plan.

Consequences of Limited Faith
Just as Jehoash's limited action led to limited victory, our lack of faith can restrict God's work in our lives. We should strive to act with full confidence in God's promises.

Learning from Spiritual Leaders
Jehoash sought Elisha's counsel, showing the importance of seeking guidance from godly leaders. We should value and heed the wisdom of those who walk closely with God.

God's Desire for Complete Victory
God desires complete victory over our spiritual enemies. We should not settle for partial victories but pursue complete triumph through faith and obedience.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Jehoash's response to Elisha's instruction reflect his faith, and what can we learn from this about our own responses to God's guidance?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our actions reflect complete trust in God's promises, rather than half-hearted obedience?

3. How can we apply the lesson of symbolic acts of faith in our daily walk with God?

4. What are some areas in our lives where we might be limiting God's work due to a lack of faith or zeal?

5. How can we better seek and apply the wisdom of spiritual leaders in our lives, as Jehoash did with Elisha?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Kings 4:1-7
The widow's oil miracle, where Elisha instructs the widow to gather vessels, and her faith determines the extent of the miracle. This parallels Jehoash's limited faith and action.

Psalm 78:41
This verse speaks of limiting the Holy One of Israel, which connects to Jehoash's limited faith and action in striking the ground only three times.

Hebrews 11:6
Emphasizes the necessity of faith to please God, highlighting the importance of wholehearted trust and action in God's promises.