TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Kings 13:20–25. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We must here attend,
I.The sepulchre of Elisha: he died in a good old age, and they buried him; and what follows shows,
1.What power there was in his life to keep off judgments; for, as soon as he was dead, the bands of the Moabites invaded the land - not great armies to face them in the field, but roving skulking bands, that murdered and plundered by surprise. God has many ways to chastise a provoking people. The king was apprehensive of danger only from the Syrians, but, behold, the Moabites invade him. Trouble comes sometimes from that point whence we least feared it. The mentioning of this immediately upon the death of Elisha intimates that the removal of God's faithful prophets is a presage of judgments coming. When ambassadors are recalled heralds may be expected.
2.What power there was in his dead body: it communicated life to another dead body, Kg2 13:21. This great miracle, though very briefly related, was a decided proof of his mission and a confirmation of all his prophecies. It was also a plain indication of another life after this. When Elisha died, there was not an end of him, for then he could not have done this. From operation we may infer existence. By this it appeared that the Lord was still the God of Elisha; therefore Elisha still lived, for God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And it may, perhaps, have a reference to Christ, by whose death and burial the grave is made to all believers a safe and happy passage to life. It likewise intimated that though Elisha was dead, yet, in virtue of the promises made by him, Israel's interests, though they seemed quite sunk and lost, should revive and flourish again. The neighbours were carrying the dead body of a man to the grave, and, fearing to fall into the hands of the Moabites, a party of whom they saw at a distance near the place where the body was to be interred, they laid the corpse in the next convenient place, which proved to be Elisha's sepulchre. The dead man, upon touching Elisha's bones, revived, and, it is likely, went home again with his friends. Josephus relates the story otherwise, That some thieves, having robbed and murdered an honest traveller, threw his dead body into Elisha's grave, and it immediately revived. Elijah was honoured in his departure. Elisha was honoured after his departure. God thus dispenses honours as he pleases, but, one way or other, the rest of all the saints will be glorious, Isa 11:10. It is good being near the saints and having our lot with them both in life and death.
II.The sword of Joash king of Israel; and we find it successful against the Syrians.
1.The cause of his success was God's favour (Kg2 13:23): The Lord was gracious to them, had compassion on them in their miseries and respect unto them. The several expressions here of the same import call upon us to observe and admire the triumphs of divine goodness in the deliverance of such a provoking people. It was of the Lord's mercies that they were not consumed, because he would not destroy them as yet. He foresaw they would destroy themselves at last, but as yet he would reprieve them, and give them space to repent. The slowness of God's processes against sinners must be construed to the honour of his mercy, not the impeachment of his justice.
2.The effect of his success was Israel's benefit. He recovered out of the hands of Benhadad the cities of Israel which the Syrians were possessed of, Kg2 13:25. This was a great kindness to the cities themselves, which were hereby brought from under the yoke of oppression, and to the whole kingdom, which was much strengthened by the reduction of those cities. Thrice Joash beat the Syrians, just as often as he had struck the ground with the arrows, and then a full stop was put to the course of his victories. Many have repented, when it was too late, of their distrusts and the straitness of their desires.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
His disciples, the sons of the prophets, buried him. It seems that Joash accompanied him to his grave, because he had stayed beside him at the time of his illness and had showed a deep love for him, weeping before him and composing lamentations for his death. It also seems that the prophet Hosea took his place and ruled the sons of the prophets, because Hosea says at the beginning of his oracles that he prophesied at the time of Jeroboam, son of Joash.
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Summary
Second Kings 13:20 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, chronicling the death and burial of the revered prophet Elisha, a spiritual giant whose decades-long ministry was characterized by extraordinary divine power. Immediately following this significant event, the narrative abruptly shifts to highlight the persistent external threat faced by the nation, as raiding bands of Moabites invade the land at the customary time for military campaigns, underscoring Israel's ongoing vulnerability and the profound void left by the departure of a powerful divine instrument.
Context
Literary Context
This verse serves as a poignant conclusion to Elisha's earthly ministry, which has been extensively detailed since his anointing by Elijah in 1 Kings 19. It directly follows the account of Elisha's final prophetic acts and interactions with King Jehoash of Israel, where the prophet, even in his final illness, imparted a crucial prophecy regarding Israel's limited victories over Aram (2 Kings 13:14-19). The abrupt juxtaposition of Elisha's death with the immediate invasion by the Moabites highlights the sudden void left by his departure and the persistent challenges Israel faced. This narrative choice suggests that even a prophet's powerful presence could not permanently avert the consequences of national sin or the realities of geopolitical conflict, emphasizing the cyclical nature of Israel's struggles.
Historical & Cultural Context
Elisha's ministry spanned the reigns of several Israelite kings, including Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Jehoash, making him a central figure for over half a century. His death signifies the end of an extraordinary era of prophetic miracles and direct divine intervention in Israel's affairs, reminiscent of Moses' passing at the close of an era. The Moabites, a Transjordanian people, were long-standing adversaries of Israel, often engaging in raiding and harassment, particularly after their rebellion against Israelite tribute (2 Kings 3:5). The phrase "at the coming in of the year" (תְּשׁוּבַת הַשָּׁנָה, teshuvat hashshanah) refers to the spring season, a traditional time for military campaigns in the ancient Near East due to favorable weather conditions for travel and foraging, as noted in 2 Samuel 11:1. This timing emphasizes the predictable and relentless nature of the threats Israel faced, regardless of internal leadership changes.
Key Themes
The verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes. Firstly, it marks The End of a Prophetic Era, signaling the departure of a spiritual giant whose life was characterized by divine power and guidance for Israel. Elisha's death underscores the mortality of even the most divinely gifted individuals, reminding the reader that human instruments, no matter how mighty, are temporary. Secondly, the immediate mention of the Moabite invasion highlights Israel's Persistent Vulnerability and External Threats. Despite the presence of powerful prophets and occasional divine interventions, the nation continuously faced adversaries, a consequence often tied to their spiritual backsliding and idolatry, as seen throughout the book of 2 Kings. Lastly, the narrative subtly points to God's Enduring Sovereignty Beyond Human Leaders. While Elisha's physical presence is gone, the subsequent miraculous event involving his bones in 2 Kings 13:21 demonstrates that God's power and purposes are not extinguished with the death of His servants but continue to operate through various, often unexpected, means.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Contracted from אֱלִישׁוּעַ, meaning "My God is salvation" or "God is salvation." This name is profoundly significant, as Elisha's ministry was indeed characterized by God's salvific acts on behalf of Israel, encompassing provision, healing, and deliverance from foreign invaders. His death, therefore, signals the passing of a human vessel through whom God's salvation had frequently flowed, leaving a tangible void.
Derived from גָּדַד, this noun refers to "a crowd (especially of soldiers)," specifically "raiding parties," "troops," or "marauding bands." It typically denotes smaller, mobile units rather than a full-scale national army. These groups engaged in hit-and-run attacks, pillaging, and harassment, rather than sustained conquest, making them a constant, irritating threat to border communities and agricultural areas, particularly during opportune times like the spring harvest.
An idiomatic phrase combining בּוֹא ("to go or come") and שָׁנֶה ("a year"). Literally "the coming of the year" or "the return of the year," this idiom refers to the spring season (typically March-April). This was the traditional time when ancient armies would commence military campaigns after the winter rains made travel difficult and before the intense summer heat. The mention of this specific timing emphasizes the predictable and cyclical nature of the threat and the routine pattern of warfare in the region.
Verse Breakdown
"And Elisha died, and they buried him."
This concise statement marks the definitive end of a profound prophetic era. Elisha, a man through whom God performed more miracles than any other prophet in the Old Testament save Moses, finally succumbs to the universal human fate. The simple, unadorned declaration of his death and burial underscores the reality of mortality, even for those most intimately connected with God's power. It signifies a crucial transition point, closing a significant chapter in Israel's spiritual history and leaving a void that would be keenly felt by the nation.
"And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year."
Immediately following the account of Elisha's death, the narrative shifts abruptly to a stark reality: Israel's persistent external vulnerability. The invasion by Moabite raiding parties, occurring at the predictable spring season, highlights the ongoing challenges and insecurity faced by the nation. This powerful juxtaposition suggests that even with the departure of a powerful spiritual protector, the physical threats and consequences of a fallen world, often exacerbated by Israel's own disobedience, did not cease but rather continued unabated, emphasizing the ongoing need for divine intervention.
Literary Devices
The verse employs Juxtaposition as its primary literary device, starkly placing the death and burial of a great prophet against the immediate invasion of a foreign enemy. This creates a powerful sense of vulnerability and impending doom, suggesting that Israel's spiritual protection has been diminished or removed. There is also an element of Irony: the prophet whose name means "God is salvation" dies, and immediately, Israel faces a new threat, emphasizing that while God works through human instruments, ultimate salvation and security come from Him alone, and are not dependent on any single human's continued presence. The swift transition from Elisha's passing to the Moabite incursion also serves as a form of Foreshadowing, hinting at the continued struggles and challenges that Israel will face in the absence of such a powerful prophetic voice, setting the stage for the subsequent narrative of Jehoash's reign and the ongoing conflicts that plague the nation.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The death of Elisha in 2 Kings 13:20 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine sovereignty and human mortality. While Elisha was an extraordinary instrument of God's power, his passing reminds us that all human leaders, no matter how gifted or divinely appointed, are temporary. God's plan and purposes, however, are eternal and do not cease with the departure of any individual. The immediate invasion by the Moabites underscores the persistent reality of living in a fallen world, where challenges and adversaries continue even after periods of spiritual strength or the loss of revered figures. It calls believers to place their ultimate trust not in human leaders or their presence, but in the unchanging faithfulness and power of God Himself, who continues to work even in times of transition and vulnerability. The subsequent resurrection of a man touched by Elisha's bones (2 Kings 13:21) further reinforces that God's power transcends death and is not confined to the living.
Reflection and Application
The passing of Elisha, a towering figure of faith and divine power, followed by the immediate onset of external threat, offers a potent lesson for believers today. It reminds us that even spiritual giants and beloved leaders are mortal, and their departure can leave a palpable void. Yet, this verse simultaneously challenges our tendency to place undue reliance on human instruments rather than on the unchanging God. When figures we depend on are gone, whether through death, transition, or simply a change in circumstances, it is then that our faith is truly tested. The "bands of the Moabites" represent the persistent challenges, anxieties, or spiritual attacks that often emerge or intensify during times of vulnerability or transition. This passage calls us to soberly acknowledge the realities of a fallen world while steadfastly anchoring our hope and security in God's enduring sovereignty and faithfulness. His work continues, His promises remain, and His power is not limited by human mortality; rather, it often manifests precisely when human strength fails, demonstrating His glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is Elisha's death mentioned so abruptly, and what is its significance in the narrative?
Elisha's death is mentioned abruptly to create a stark and immediate contrast with the subsequent invasion. It signifies the end of a pivotal prophetic era, marking the departure of a spiritual giant who had been a source of divine guidance and miraculous intervention for Israel. The abruptness emphasizes the sudden void left by his absence and highlights Israel's immediate vulnerability, underscoring that even the most powerful human instruments of God are temporary, and the nation's spiritual and physical security ultimately rests with God alone. This narrative choice serves to transition the reader from reliance on a human prophet to the enduring power of God.
What is the significance of "the coming in of the year" in this context?
The phrase "the coming in of the year" (תְּשׁוּבַת הַשָּׁנָה, teshuvat hashshanah) refers to the spring season, typically around March or April. This was the customary time for kings and armies to go out to war in the ancient Near East, as the winter rains had ceased, making travel and military campaigns feasible and allowing for foraging from new growth. Its mention here emphasizes that the Moabite invasion was a predictable, recurring threat, highlighting Israel's persistent insecurity and the cyclical nature of warfare in the region, particularly after the perceived weakening of Israel's spiritual defenses with Elisha's passing, as seen in 2 Samuel 11:1.
Who were the Moabites, and why were they invading Israel at this time?
The Moabites were an ancient Semitic people, descendants of Lot, who inhabited the land east of the Dead Sea. They were long-standing adversaries of Israel, with a history of conflict and rebellion, notably their revolt against Israelite tribute in 2 Kings 3:5. The "bands" (גְּדוּדִים, gedudim) mentioned here refer to raiding parties rather than a full national army. They typically invaded to plunder, harass, and assert their independence, often exploiting perceived weaknesses or times of transition in Israel. Elisha's death would have been seen as a moment of national vulnerability, prompting such opportunistic incursions, as the Moabites sought to exploit any perceived power vacuum.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The account of Elisha's death in 2 Kings 13:20, immediately followed by the Moabite invasion, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate reality of Christ's eternal reign in contrast to the mortality of even the greatest human leaders. Elisha, despite his powerful ministry and miraculous deeds, was subject to death, demonstrating the inherent limitation of all human instruments, no matter how divinely appointed. His passing left Israel vulnerable to external threats, symbolizing humanity's persistent struggle against sin and evil in the absence of perfect divine intervention. However, in Christ, we find the ultimate fulfillment of God's "salvation" (the meaning of Elisha's name). Unlike Elisha, Jesus conquered death itself, rising triumphantly from the grave (Romans 6:9). His resurrection ensures that His presence, power, and protection are not bound by human mortality or the limitations of time and space (Hebrews 13:8). The "bands of the Moabites" represent the myriad spiritual enemies—sin, death, and the devil—that continually threaten humanity. While human leaders pass, Christ's eternal priesthood and kingship mean that His people are never left without a perfect intercessor and an invincible protector (Hebrews 7:24-25). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), providing a salvation that transcends earthly vulnerabilities and offers eternal victory over all adversaries (Colossians 2:15).