2 Kings 3:11

But Jehoshaphat said, [Is there] not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here [is] Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.

But Jehoshaphat {H3092} said {H559}, Is there not here a prophet {H5030} of the LORD {H3068}, that we may enquire {H1875} of the LORD {H3068} by him? And one {H259} of the king {H4428} of Israel's {H3478} servants {H5650} answered {H6030} and said {H559}, Here is Elisha {H477} the son {H1121} of Shaphat {H8202}, which poured {H3332} water {H4325} on the hands {H3027} of Elijah {H452}.

But Y'hoshafat said, "Isn't there a prophet of ADONAI here through whom we can consult ADONAI?" One of the servants of the king of Isra'el answered, "Elisha the son of Shafat is here, the one who used to pour water on Eliyahu's hands."

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”

But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah, that we may inquire of Jehovah by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.

Commentary

2 Kings 3:11 captures a pivotal moment during a military campaign where the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom find themselves in dire straits without water in the wilderness. This verse highlights the spiritual discernment of King Jehoshaphat of Judah and introduces the prophet Elisha.

Context of 2 Kings 3:11

The three allied kings were on an expedition against Moab, who had rebelled against Israel (2 Kings 3:5). After a seven-day march, their supplies, particularly water, ran out, threatening the entire army and their livestock (2 Kings 3:9). In this crisis, King Jehoram of Israel expressed despair, but Jehoshaphat, known for his devotion to the LORD, immediately sought divine counsel. His question, "Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him?" underscores his reliance on God in contrast to Jehoram's more secular approach.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Seeking Divine Guidance: Jehoshaphat's immediate impulse to consult a prophet demonstrates the importance of seeking God's will, especially in moments of desperation. This stands as a model for believers to turn to God's Word and His appointed servants for direction.
  • The Role of the Prophet: The verse reaffirms the prophet's role as an intermediary through whom the LORD communicates His will and provides direction. In a time when direct divine communication was often through prophets, their presence was crucial for national and spiritual guidance (Amos 3:7).
  • Elisha's Introduction and Humble Service: The servant's identification of Elisha with the phrase "which poured water on the hands of Elijah" is significant. It subtly highlights Elisha's deep discipleship and humble service to Elijah, his predecessor. This isn't just a biographical detail but speaks to his readiness and anointing for ministry, building on his faithful service to Elijah.

Linguistic Insight: "Poured Water on the Hands of Elijah"

This phrase is an idiomatic expression signifying close, personal service and apprenticeship. In ancient Near Eastern culture, pouring water for someone to wash their hands was a task performed by a servant for their master. By stating that Elisha "poured water on the hands of Elijah," the servant is not merely identifying him but emphasizing his role as Elijah's personal attendant and successor. It speaks volumes about Elisha's humility, faithfulness, and the intimate training he received under one of Israel's greatest prophets, preparing him for his own powerful ministry.

Practical Application

2 Kings 3:11 encourages us to prioritize seeking God's wisdom in all circumstances, especially during challenges. Like Jehoshaphat, we should instinctively turn to the Lord through prayer, His Word, and the counsel of godly leaders. Furthermore, Elisha's introduction reminds us that faithfulness in humble service often precedes greater responsibilities and anointing. God often prepares His servants through periods of quiet, dedicated service before calling them to more prominent roles, demonstrating that true spiritual authority is often built upon a foundation of humility and obedience.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 22:7

    And Jehoshaphat said, [Is there] not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?

  • 1 Kings 19:21

    And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

  • 2 Kings 3:3

    Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.

  • Psalms 74:9

    We see not our signs: [there is] no more any prophet: neither [is there] among us any that knoweth how long.

  • Amos 3:7

    Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

  • 1 Chronicles 15:13

    For because ye [did it] not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.

  • 2 Kings 2:25

    And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.
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