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.
Elisha said to the king of Israel, 'What do I have to do with you? Go to your father's prophets and your mother's prophets.' But the king of Israel said to him, 'No! The LORD has brought these three kings together to hand us over to Moab.'
The prophet Elisha initially wants nothing to do with Israel's king because of his idolatry, but the king desperately pleads for help, believing God has set them up for defeat.
📚 Historical Context
This confrontation occurs during a military campaign where Israel, Judah, and Edom have joined forces against Moab but are facing disaster due to lack of water. The king of Israel (likely Jehoram) came from a family known for worshiping false gods - his father Ahab and mother Jezebel were notorious for promoting Baal worship. Elisha's sharp rebuke reflects the tension between God's true prophets and the idolatrous royal family.
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