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
This occurs during a military crisis when the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom sought water for their armies in the desert. Elisha is speaking to King Jehoram of Israel, whom he despises for following false gods like his parents Ahab and Jezebel. Only his respect for the godly King Jehoshaphat of Judah motivates Elisha to provide prophetic guidance.
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