But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master’s feet behind him?
Elisha was sitting in his house with the elders when the king sent a messenger to him. But before the messenger arrived, Elisha said to the elders, 'Do you see how this murderer's son has sent someone to cut off my head? Listen, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold it closed against him. Can't you hear his master's footsteps coming behind him?'
Elisha supernaturally knew that the king was sending someone to kill him and warned the elders to block the door when the messenger arrived.
📚 Historical Context
During the time of the prophet Elisha in ancient Israel, the city of Samaria was under siege by the Syrian army, causing a severe famine that led to desperation and blame among the leaders. The king, furious and seeking a scapegoat, sent a messenger to execute Elisha, who was seen as responsible for the crisis. Elisha, empowered by divine revelation, anticipated the threat and warned the elders to secure the door.
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