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.

2 KINGS 3:13KJV
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2 Kings 3:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 3:13 mean?

2 Kings 3:13 describes the prophet Elisha sharply questioning the king of Israel about why he has come to him for help, suggesting that the king should instead seek advice from the prophets his parents trusted. The king of Israel responds that he believes the LORD has brought the three kings together only to hand them over to Moab.

Elisha is speaking to the king of Israel, who has joined forces with the kings of Judah and Edom to fight against Moab. The situation is tense because the armies are in trouble, lacking water. Elisha’s response highlights his frustration with the king of Israel’s history of following other prophets, not the LORD, and points out the king’s sudden turn to God only in crisis.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 3:13

  • "Prophets" (נְבִיאֵי, nᵉvî'ê): This word is used twice, referring to the prophets of both the king’s father and mother. Elisha’s use of this word draws attention to the king’s family history of relying on false prophets, not God’s true messengers.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): The king of Israel uses the specific name for Israel’s God, showing that even though he usually follows other gods, in this desperate moment he recognizes the LORD’s power and involvement.
  • "Deliver" (נָתַן, nathan): This word means "to give" or "to hand over." The king fears that God has gathered the kings only to hand them over to their enemy, Moab, showing his anxiety and sense of doom.

Why 2 Kings 3:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Elisha is not eager to help a king who usually ignores God, highlighting the tension between true faith and seeking God only in emergencies.
  • The verse reveals the king of Israel’s conflicted attitude: he recognizes God’s authority in crisis but has a history of turning elsewhere for guidance.
  • Understanding this exchange helps set up the rest of the chapter, where God’s response through Elisha contrasts with the king’s lack of faithfulness.