2 Kings 13:16

And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand [upon it]: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands.

And he said {H559} to the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, Put {H7392} thine hand {H3027} upon the bow {H7198}. And he put {H7392} his hand {H3027} upon it: and Elisha {H477} put {H7760} his hands {H3027} upon the king's {H4428} hands {H3027}.

He said to the king of Isra'el, "Put your hand on the bow"; and he put his hand on it. Then Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands

Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So the king put his hand on the bow, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.

And he said to the king of Israel, Put thy hand upon the bow; and he put his hand upon it. And Elisha laid his hands upon the king’s hands.

Commentary

The verse 2 Kings 13:16 records a pivotal moment in the final days of the prophet Elisha, involving King Joash (also known as Jehoash) of Israel. This act serves as a powerful visual prophecy concerning Israel's future conflicts.

Context

This passage occurs as Elisha, the great prophet who succeeded Elijah, lies on his deathbed. King Joash, facing oppression from the Arameans (Syrians) under King Hazael, visits the dying prophet. Elisha, even in his weakness, performs a final series of prophetic actions to encourage Joash and reveal God's will concerning Israel's deliverance from Syria. The immediate preceding verses describe Elisha instructing Joash to open the window eastward and shoot an arrow, symbolizing "the arrow of the Lord's deliverance" (2 Kings 13:17). Verse 16 details the next step in this symbolic ritual.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empowerment Through Human Action: Elisha placing his hands upon the king's hands signifies that God's power and blessing would be imparted through the human instrument of the king. It illustrates a divine partnership where God enables and empowers human effort to achieve His purposes.
  • Prophetic Symbolism: The act of holding the bow together is not merely physical; it is a profound prophetic gesture. The bow and arrow represent warfare and victory, and Elisha's hands over Joash's hands symbolize divine backing for Israel's military endeavors against their Syrian oppressors.
  • The Interplay of Faith and Obedience: Joash's willingness to participate in Elisha's seemingly strange instructions demonstrates a measure of faith. However, the subsequent verses reveal that his obedience was incomplete, which tragically limited the extent of Israel's victory (2 Kings 13:19).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands" is significant. The act of "laying on of hands" in the Bible often denotes the impartation of a blessing, authority, or spiritual gift. In this context, it symbolizes the transfer of divine strength, prophetic insight, and God's anointing for battle from the prophet to the king. It underscores that the impending victory would not be solely by Joash's might, but by God's power working through him.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful insights for believers today:

  • Partnering with God: Just as Elisha's hands guided Joash's, God often works through us, empowering our efforts when we align with His will. We are called to participate actively in what God is doing.
  • The Importance of Spiritual Guidance: Elisha, as God's prophet, provided crucial direction for the king. This highlights the value of seeking wise, godly counsel and spiritual leadership, especially in challenging times.
  • Full Obedience for Full Blessing: While Joash initially obeyed, his later hesitation (striking the ground only three times instead of more) limited the full extent of God's promised victory. This serves as a timeless reminder that complete and persistent obedience often unlocks the complete measure of God's blessing and deliverance in our lives.
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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 4:34 (2 votes)

    And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

  • Genesis 49:24 (2 votes)

    But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty [God] of Jacob; (from thence [is] the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

  • Psalms 144:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ [A Psalm] of David. Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight: