King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 3:13 Mean?

2 Kings 3:13 in the King James Version says “And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

2 Kings 3:13 · KJV


Context

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.

12

And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

13

And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

14

And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.

15

But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 3: God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 3 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Moabite Rebellion and God's Deliverance) reflects the historical reality of God's compassionate provision through prophetic miracles while both kingdoms struggled with persistent idolatry. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 3 regarding god's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 30

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֱלִישָׁ֜ע2 of 30

And Elisha

H477

elisha, the famous prophet

אֶל3 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמְּלָכִ֣ים4 of 30

And the king

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל5 of 30

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מַה6 of 30
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

לִּ֣י7 of 30
H0
וָלָ֔ךְ8 of 30
H0
לֵ֚ךְ9 of 30
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֶל10 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְבִיאֵ֖י11 of 30

and to the prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אָבִ֔יךָ12 of 30

of thy father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְאֶל13 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְבִיאֵ֖י14 of 30

and to the prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אִמֶּ֑ךָ15 of 30

of thy mother

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר16 of 30

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לוֹ֙17 of 30
H0
הַמְּלָכִ֣ים18 of 30

And the king

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל19 of 30

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אַ֗ל20 of 30
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

כִּֽי21 of 30
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

קָרָ֤א22 of 30

hath called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

יְהוָה֙23 of 30

unto him Nay for the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לִשְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙24 of 30

these three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

הַמְּלָכִ֣ים25 of 30

And the king

H4428

a king

הָאֵ֔לֶּה26 of 30
H428

these or those

לָתֵ֥ת27 of 30

to deliver

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אוֹתָ֖ם28 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּיַד29 of 30

them into the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מוֹאָֽב׃30 of 30

of Moab

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 3:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 3:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study