2 Kings 3 14

2 Kings 3:14 kjv

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.

2 Kings 3:14 nkjv

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

2 Kings 3:14 niv

Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you.

2 Kings 3:14 esv

And Elisha said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you.

2 Kings 3:14 nlt

Elisha replied, "As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, I wouldn't even bother with you except for my respect for King Jehoshaphat of Judah.

2 Kings 3 verses

2 Kings 3 14 Meaning

In 2 Kings 3:14, Elisha, God's prophet, declares a solemn oath using God's holy name, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty. He communicates his profound personal and divine disdain for King Jehoram of Israel, stating that he would not even acknowledge or pay attention to him. The sole reason Elisha agrees to provide divine counsel or help is out of respect and regard for the presence of Jehoshaphat, the righteous King of Judah, who accompanied Jehoram. This underscores God's discernment and selective grace, highlighting that divine favor is not granted indiscriminately, but often in response to true righteousness or for the sake of a faithful remnant, even amidst the unfaithful.

2 Kings 3 14 Context

Chapter 3 opens with Moab's rebellion against Israel after King Ahab's death. His son, Jehoram, became king of Israel and, though he removed a pillar of Baal worship, he still perpetuated the idolatry of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. To suppress the rebellion, Jehoram enlisted the aid of Jehoshaphat, the righteous King of Judah, and the King of Edom. Their joint campaign into the wilderness of Edom led to a severe water shortage, threatening their armies. Facing desperation, Jehoram, in a moment of crisis, recognized the need for prophetic guidance and sought out Elisha, a prophet known for divine counsel and miracles. Elisha's scathing rebuke in verse 14 stems from Jehoram's ungodly character and the alliance he made, which despite being military, showcased the king's persistent unfaithfulness to the Lord.

2 Kings 3 14 Word analysis

• And Elisha said,
  • This phrase signals the direct, authoritative declaration of God's chosen messenger. It prepares the hearer for a divine pronouncement.
• "As the LORD of hosts lives,
  • "As the LORD lives": (Chay-Yehovah, חַי יְהוָה) This is a common and profoundly solemn oath in ancient Israel. It emphasizes the active, enduring, and all-powerful existence of the living God, in stark contrast to lifeless idols. By invoking God's life, the speaker calls upon the very essence and reality of the Divine to witness and authenticate their words.
  • "of hosts": (Tseba'ot, צְבָאוֹת) This title portrays God as the supreme Commander of heavenly armies (angels, stars) or even Israel's armies. It signifies His absolute sovereignty, omnipotence, and dominion over all creation and nations. Its inclusion here underlines the unassailable authority of God, countering any perceived power of pagan deities and human rulers.
  • Significance: This powerful prophetic oath authenticates Elisha's subsequent declaration as truth directly from God. It serves as a direct polemic against the prevailing Baal worship in Israel, affirming the one true God's absolute power.
• before whom I stand,
  • (’asher ‘amadeti lephanehav, אֲשֶׁר עָמַדְתִּי לְפָנָיו) This idiom denotes the posture of a loyal servant, one who is in constant communion with and ready service to their master. For a prophet, it signifies intimate access to God's presence, hearing His direct counsel, and being ready to execute His will without hesitation.
  • Significance: It underscores Elisha's direct pipeline to divine truth and authority. His words are not his own, but a faithful representation of God's will. It also implicitly highlights the spiritual distance between the unfaithful King Jehoram and the God Elisha faithfully serves.
• surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah,
  • "regard the presence": (nasa' panim, נָשָׂא פָנִים) Literally, "to lift up the face," meaning to show favor, to be mindful of, or to give honor and respect. Elisha, and implicitly God, acknowledges the spiritual standing and faithfulness of Jehoshaphat.
  • "Jehoshaphat king of Judah": Jehoshaphat was a king known for his righteousness, for seeking the Lord, and for removing pagan elements from Judah, despite his controversial alliance with the house of Ahab. He represented true fidelity to the Lord among the kings present.
  • Significance: This demonstrates a critical principle of divine justice and grace: God's favor can extend to the unworthy for the sake of the righteous among them. It reveals God's discernment between the kings. This is a pointed rebuke to Jehoram, as any help received would be due to Jehoshaphat's integrity, not Jehoram's.
• I would not look at you, nor see you.'"
  • This strong, emphatic double negative expresses complete disdain, refusal to acknowledge, or unwillingness to grant an audience. It means Elisha would not waste his prophetic gift or God's sacred word on someone so fundamentally disobedient and undeserving.
  • Significance: It vividly illustrates the spiritual chasm between a holy God and unrepentant sin, as embodied by Jehoram. God's favor and prophetic insight are not given indiscriminately; they are bound by His holy character. This strong rejection also serves as a potent reminder of the severe consequences of straying from the covenant God, reflecting God's abhorrence for idolatry and wickedness.

2 Kings 3 14 Bonus section

• Reflecting Divine Disgust: Elisha, as God's representative, vividly embodies the divine attitude towards unholiness and spiritual compromise. His personal revulsion mirrors God's holy indignation against persistent sin.
• Impact of Righteous Company: This verse serves as a powerful testament to the ripple effect of righteousness. Jehoshaphat's genuine faith was so influential that it opened a channel for divine intervention even for his less deserving allies.
• Prophetic Integrity: Elisha's bold and uncompromising stand demonstrates the true integrity required of a prophet, refusing to pander to kings or compromise divine truth for political expediency or personal gain.
• A Conditional Deliverance: The subsequent miracle of providing water (and later victory) for the three kings is not given as a reward for Jehoram's worthiness but is entirely a contingent blessing extended because of Jehoshaphat's faithful walk with God.

2 Kings 3 14 Commentary

Elisha's cutting words in 2 Kings 3:14 encapsulate God's profound displeasure with King Jehoram's unfaithfulness and idolatry. The prophet's solemn oath by "the LORD of hosts lives" underscores the divine origin and certainty of his pronouncement, emphasizing God's omnipotence over all creation, in contrast to any false gods. Elisha's posture of "standing before" the Lord signifies his constant communion and intimate service, marking him as a genuine conduit for God's word. The critical caveat—that his attention is solely due to the presence of Jehoshaphat—reveals that divine grace is not arbitrary. It often flows through the faithfulness of righteous individuals, demonstrating God's discriminating judgment and the potent influence of a godly presence. The utter refusal to "look at or see" Jehoram conveys the complete disdain God held for his spiritual compromise and wickedness, asserting that prophetic light is not cast before those who stubbornly rebel against the Truth. This verse powerfully teaches that while God's mercy is great, His holy presence demands a reverent heart, and His blessings are often contingent upon the righteousness He finds, whether in an individual or an associated group.