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.
Elisha said, 'As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, the God I serve, if it weren't for my respect for King Jehoshaphat of Judah, I wouldn't even look at you or acknowledge your presence.'
The prophet Elisha is telling someone that he only agrees to help them because he respects King Jehoshaphat, otherwise he would completely ignore them.
📚 Historical Context
In the 9th century BC, during the divided kingdom of Israel, King Joram of Israel allied with King Jehoshaphat of Judah and the King of Edom to wage war against the Moabites, who had rebelled against Israelite rule. Elisha, as a prophet of God, was summoned by these kings for divine guidance but was initially unwilling to assist due to Joram's idolatry and unfaithfulness. He only agreed to help because of his respect for Jehoshaphat, who was known for seeking God.
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