Christian Standard Bible
2 Kings 3:11
11But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of the Lord here? Let’s inquire of the Lord through him.” One of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat, who used to pour water on Elijah’s hands, is here.”
2 Kings 3:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)And Jehoshaphat said, "Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?" Then one of the king of Israel's servants answered, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah."
- New King James Version (NKJV)But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?” So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.”
Context of 2 Kings 3:11
9So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out. After they had traveled their indirect route for seven days, they had no water for the army or the animals with them. 10Then the king of Israel said, “Oh no, the Lord has summoned these three kings, only to hand them over to Moab.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of the Lord here? Let’s inquire of the Lord through him.” One of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat, who used to pour water on Elijah’s hands, is here.” 12Jehoshaphat affirmed, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went to him. 13However, Elisha said to King Joram of Israel, “What do we have in common? Go to the prophets of your father and your mother!” But the king of Israel replied, “No, because it is the Lord who has summoned these three kings to hand them over to Moab.”
Read all of 2 Kings 32 Kings 3:11 word by word
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוֹשָׁפָ֗ט הַאֵ֨ין פֹּ֤ה נָבִיא֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה וְנִדְרְשָׁ֥ה אֶת־יְהוָ֖ה מֵאוֹת֑וֹ וַ֠יַּעַן אֶחָ֞ד מֵעַבְדֵ֤י מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וַיֹּ֔אמֶר פֹּ֚ה אֱלִישָׁ֣ע בֶּן־שָׁפָ֔ט אֲשֶׁר־יָ֥צַק מַ֖יִם עַל־יְדֵ֥י אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- But Jehoshaphatיְהוֹשָׁפָטyehôshâphâţ · JehoshaphatH3092
- saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- not here a prophetנָבִיאnâbîy' · prophetH5030
- of the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- that we may enquireדָּרַשׁdârash · to seekH1875
- by him? And oneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
- of the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
- of Israel’sיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
- servantsעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
- answeredעָנָה‛ânâh · to answerH6030
- Elishaאֱלִישָׁע'ĕlîyshâ‛ · ElishaH477
- the sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
- of Shaphatשָׁפָטshâphâţ · ShaphatH8202
- which pouredיָצַקyâtsaq · to pour: pourH3332
- waterמַיmayim · waterH4325
- on the handsיָדyâd · handH3027
- of Elijahאֵלִיָּה'êlîyâh 'êlîyâhû · ElijahH452
Cross-references for 2 Kings 3:11
- 1 Kings 22:7But Jehoshaphat asked, “Isn’t there a prophet of the Lord here anymore? Let’s ask him.”
- Psalms 74:9There are no signs for us to see. There is no longer a prophet. And none of us knows how long this will last.
- Amos 3:7Indeed, the Lord God does nothing without revealing his counsel to his servants the prophets.
- 2 Kings 3:1Joram son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria during the eighteenth year of Judah’s King Jehoshaphat, and he reigned twelve years.
- Joshua 9:14Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions, but did not seek the Lord’s decision.
- Judges 20:8Then all the people stood united and said, “None of us will go to his tent or return to his house.
- Judges 18:23They called to the Danites, who turned to face them, and said to Micah, “What’s the matter with you that you mustered the men?”
- 1 Chronicles 10:13Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the Lord because he did not keep the Lord’s word. He even consulted a medium for guidance,
- 1 Chronicles 14:10so David inquired of God, “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord replied, “Attack, and I will hand them over to you.”
- 1 Chronicles 15:13For the Lord our God burst out in anger against us because you Levites were not with us the first time, for we didn’t inquire of him about the proper procedures.”
- Genesis 18:4Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree.
- Joshua 1:1After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’s assistant:
- 1 Kings 19:21So he turned back from following him, took the team of oxen, and slaughtered them. With the oxen’s wooden yoke and plow, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him.
- Luke 22:26It is not to be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you should become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving.
- John 13:4So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself.
- 1 Timothy 5:10and is well known for good works — that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.
Commentaries on 2 Kings 3:11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11Is there not here a prophet of the Lord - The kings of Judah still acknowledged the true God, and him only. Poured water on the hands of Elijah - That is, was his constant and confidential servant.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11A prophet of the Lord - i. e. of Yahweh. It was necessary to inquire thus definitely, as there were still plenty of prophets who were only prophets of Baal 2 Kings 3:13. Here is Elisha - Jehoram appears to have been ignorant of his presence with the host, and one of his “servants,” or officers, answered Jehoshaphat‘s inquiry. Which poured water - An act signifying ministration or attendance (compare John 13:5 ff).Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-19Verses 6-19 The king of Israel laments their distress, and the danger they were in. He called these kings together, yet he charges it upon Providence. Thus the foolishness of man perverteth his way, and then his heart fretteth against the Lord, Pr 19:3. It was well that Jehoshaphat inquired of the Lord now, but it had been much better if he had done it before he engaged in this war. Good men sometimes neglect their duty, till necessity and affliction…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11-12Is there no prophet of the LORD here?: Diviners or prophets often traveled with armies to understand the divine will. Jehoshaphat wanted to hear from a true prophet to know the Lord’s plans for the battle (see 1 Kings 22:7). However, this time he waited until the campaign had started before asking the Lord.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 8-128-12. Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom--This was a long and circuitous route, by the southern bend of the Dead Sea. Jehoshaphat however preferred it, partly because the part of the Moabite territory at which they would arrive, was the most defenseless; and partly because he would thereby enlist, in the expedition, the forces of the king of Edom. But, in penetrating the deep, rocky valley of Ahsy, which…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Kings 3:11
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Kings 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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