2 Kings 13:18

And he said, Take the arrows. And he took [them]. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.

And he said {H559}, Take {H3947} the arrows {H2671}. And he took {H3947} them. And he said {H559} unto the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, Smite {H5221} upon the ground {H776}. And he smote {H5221} thrice {H7969}{H6471}, and stayed {H5975}.

He said, "Take the arrows"; and he took them. He told the king of Isra'el, "Strike the ground." He struck three times, then stopped.

Then Elisha said, “Take the arrows!” So he took them, and Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground!” So he struck the ground three times and stopped.

And he said, Take the arrows; and he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground; and he smote thrice, and stayed.

Commentary

2 Kings 13:18 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of King Joash of Israel and the dying prophet Elisha, illustrating the critical nature of obedience and faith.

Context

This verse immediately follows Elisha’s instructions to King Joash. Elisha, on his deathbed, was visited by Joash, who wept over him (2 Kings 13:14). In a powerful symbolic act, Elisha had Joash place his hands on the prophet’s hands and shoot an arrow out the east window, declaring it the "arrow of the LORD's deliverance" against Syria (Aram) at Aphek. The command in verse 18, to "smite upon the ground" with the arrows, was a continuation of this prophetic demonstration, intended to determine the extent of Israel's victory over their perennial enemy, the Arameans.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Faith: The passage highlights the direct correlation between Joash's actions and the potential for divine blessing. Elisha's instructions were a test of the king's faith and willingness to fully embrace God's promised victory.
  • Divine Opportunity: God, through Elisha, presented Joash with an opportunity for decisive and complete triumph over Syria. The number of times Joash struck the ground would dictate the number of victories.
  • Incomplete Effort and Consequence: Joash's decision to strike only three times, rather than continuing until told to stop, revealed a lack of zeal, faith, or understanding. This partial obedience directly limited the scope of God's intended deliverance for Israel, leading to Elisha's frustration (2 Kings 13:19).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "smite" (נָכָה, nakah) means to strike, beat, or conquer. Elisha's instruction was not merely a physical act but a spiritual one, symbolizing the striking down of the enemy. Joash's action of striking "thrice, and stayed" indicates a self-imposed limit. While the number three often signifies completeness or divine action in biblical contexts (e.g., three days in the tomb, three times Peter denied Christ), here it signifies an *insufficient* completion, stopping short of what was implicitly desired for full victory. The prophet expected persistence, likely until exhaustion or a clear sign to stop.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today about the importance of wholehearted obedience and persistent faith. When God gives a command or reveals a promise, our response should be one of full engagement and perseverance, not half-hearted effort or limited expectation. Joash’s story teaches that our lack of spiritual zeal or faith can directly impact the extent of God’s blessings and victories in our lives, whether in personal struggles, spiritual warfare, or pursuing God's call. We are called to press on, trusting God for complete victory rather than settling for partial success.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 4:6 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, [There is] not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

  • Ezekiel 4:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, [even] Jerusalem:

  • Ezekiel 4:10 (2 votes)

    And thy meat which thou shalt eat [shall be] by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt thou eat it.

  • Isaiah 20:2 (2 votes)

    At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

  • Isaiah 20:4 (2 votes)

    So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with [their] buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

  • Exodus 17:11 (2 votes)

    And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

  • Ezekiel 5:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause [it] to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the [hair].