But now, bring me a harpist." And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha But now, bring me a harpist.In the context of 2 Kings 3, Elisha is addressing the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom, who have come to seek his counsel during their campaign against Moab. The request for a harpist signifies the importance of music in prophetic ministry, as it often facilitated a spiritual atmosphere conducive to receiving divine revelation. This practice is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as in 1 Samuel 10:5, where prophets are accompanied by musical instruments. The harp, a common instrument in ancient Israel, was used in worship and prophecy, highlighting the connection between music and spiritual experiences. And while the harpist played,
The playing of the harp signifies a transition into a state of spiritual receptivity. Music in the ancient Near East, particularly in Israel, was not merely for entertainment but was deeply intertwined with worship and prophecy. The soothing and uplifting nature of music could help focus the mind and spirit, preparing the prophet to receive God's message. This reflects the broader biblical theme of worship as a means of drawing near to God, as seen in Psalm 100:2, which encourages coming before the Lord with joyful songs. the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha.
The phrase "the hand of the LORD" indicates divine empowerment and inspiration. This expression is used throughout the Old Testament to describe the Spirit of God coming upon individuals to enable them to perform specific tasks or deliver messages (e.g., Ezekiel 1:3, 37:1). In this instance, it signifies that Elisha is about to receive a prophetic word from God. Theologically, this underscores the belief that true prophecy originates from God and not from human initiative. Elisha, as a type of Christ, serves as a mediator of God's will, foreshadowing the ultimate revelation of God through Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh (John 1:14). Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for his miracles and guidance to the kings of Israel. 2. Jehoram (Joram)King of Israel, son of Ahab, who sought Elisha's counsel during a military campaign. 3. JehoshaphatKing of Judah, a godly king who allied with Jehoram in the campaign against Moab. 4. MoabA neighboring nation that rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab, leading to the military campaign. 5. HarpistA musician whose playing facilitated a prophetic atmosphere for Elisha to receive God's message. Teaching Points The Role of Worship in Hearing GodWorship, particularly through music, can create an environment conducive to receiving God's guidance. Just as Elisha called for a harpist, we can use worship to focus our hearts and minds on God. The Hand of the LORDThe phrase "the hand of the LORD" signifies God's power and presence. In our lives, we should seek to be sensitive to God's hand guiding us through His Spirit. Preparation for Prophetic InsightElisha's request for a harpist shows the importance of preparing our hearts to hear from God. We should cultivate spiritual disciplines that help us be receptive to God's voice. Unity in Seeking GodThe alliance of Jehoram and Jehoshaphat, despite their differences, underscores the power of unity in seeking divine guidance. We should strive for unity in our communities when seeking God's will. God's Guidance in CrisisThe context of this verse is a military crisis. It reminds us that in times of trouble, turning to God for guidance should be our first response. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the presence of music or worship in your life help you to focus on God and hear His voice more clearly? 2. In what ways can you prepare your heart to be more receptive to God's guidance, similar to how Elisha prepared by calling for a harpist? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced "the hand of the LORD" in your life. How did it guide or change your situation? 4. How can you foster unity in your community or church when seeking God's direction, especially in challenging times? 5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that seeking God's guidance is your first response in times of crisis? How does this align with other biblical examples of seeking God in difficult situations? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 10:5-6The use of music in prophetic contexts, as seen when Saul encounters a group of prophets with musical instruments and the Spirit of God comes upon him. 1 Chronicles 25:1-3The role of music in worship and prophecy, highlighting how David appointed musicians to prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals. Acts 13:2The practice of seeking God's guidance through worship and fasting, as the early church did when setting apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work. People Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, ShaphatPlaces Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, SamariaTopics Bring, Elisha, Fetch, Got, Harpist, Minstrel, Music, Pass, Played, Player, Playing, PowerDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 3:11-19 5422 musicians 2 Kings 3:14-15 5387 leisure, pastimes 2 Kings 3:14-19 5420 music 2 Kings 3:15-19 1431 prophecy, OT methods
5332 harp Library Sight and Blindness
'Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. 9. And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that them pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. 10. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. 11. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Minstrel
ELISHA needed that the Holy Spirit should come upon him to inspire him with prophetic utterances. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." We need that the hand of the Lord should be laid upon us, for we can never open our mouths in wisdom except we are under the divine touch. Now, the Spirit of God works according to his own will. "The wind bloweth where it listeth," and the Spirit of God operates as he chooseth. Elisha could not prophesy just when he liked; he must wait until …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 27: 1881 The Old Testament and Archeology
A century ago the student of the world's history found it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to paint for himself a clear picture of events antedating B.C. 400. Concerning earlier periods, he was, aside from the Old Testament, practically without records that could claim contemporaneousness with the events recorded. But, one hundred years ago, men had commenced to test every statement, be it historical, or scientific, or theological, by severe canons of criticism, and if it could not stand …
Frederick Carl Eiselen—The Christian View of the Old Testament Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's Answer, Briefly Considered.
"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with, thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first born for my transgression; the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?--He hath shewed thee, 0 man, what is good: And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" As mankind are …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Secret of Its Greatness
[Illustration: (drop cap G) The Great Pyramid] God always chooses the right kind of people to do His work. Not only so, He always gives to those whom He chooses just the sort of life which will best prepare them for the work He will one day call them to do. That is why God put it into the heart of Pharaoh's daughter to bring up Moses as her own son in the Egyptian palace. The most important part of Moses' training was that his heart should be right with God, and therefore he was allowed to remain …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 3:15 NIV2 Kings 3:15 NLT2 Kings 3:15 ESV2 Kings 3:15 NASB2 Kings 3:15 KJV
2 Kings 3:15 Commentaries
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