This verse stresses the importance of obedient action to experience God’s deliverance.
Then Elisha said to him, ‘Take a bow and arrows.’ So he took a bow and arrows. (v.15) Here we see the prophet Elisha—a significant figure in Israel’s history during the mid-9th century BC—giving a clear and direct instruction to the king. Elisha’s position as the successor of Elijah (who ministered earlier in the 9th century BC) reinforces his authority to speak on God’s behalf. The act of taking a bow and arrows might appear mundane at first, but it foreshadows an important prophetic gesture that symbolizes God’s deliverance against Israel’s enemies, as the remaining verses will unfold (2 Kings 13:16-17). Although 2 Kings 13:15 does not mention a specific location, the historical context places these events in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where Elisha often resided and ministered among the royal court and the people.
Then Elisha said to him, ‘Take a bow and arrows.’ So he took a bow and arrows. (v.15) can also be understood as God prompting His people to prepare for future victory, even when the victory is not yet visible. The physical act of gathering weapons under Elisha’s instructions is a call to demonstrate faith in the power of the Lord, reminiscent of New Testament themes where faith manifests in obedient action (James 2:17). By recording this moment, Scripture reminds believers of the indispensable link between following divine guidance and experiencing the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Then Elisha said to him, ‘Take a bow and arrows.’ So he took a bow and arrows. (v.15) further reveals the prophet’s role as a spiritual mentor who guides leaders toward obedience and trust in the Lord. This verse sets the stage for the king—likely Joash (also spelled Jehoash), who reigned in Israel around 798-782 BC—to act on God’s behalf. The prophet is not simply commanding a trivial gesture, but signaling the king’s need to align with God’s plan for Israel’s deliverance. In this way, the verse serves as an important reminder for believers across time to heed divine wisdom, no matter how simple or symbolic the initial step may seem.
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2 Kings 13:15 meaning
Then Elisha said to him, ‘Take a bow and arrows.’ So he took a bow and arrows. (v.15) Here we see the prophet Elisha—a significant figure in Israel’s history during the mid-9th century BC—giving a clear and direct instruction to the king. Elisha’s position as the successor of Elijah (who ministered earlier in the 9th century BC) reinforces his authority to speak on God’s behalf. The act of taking a bow and arrows might appear mundane at first, but it foreshadows an important prophetic gesture that symbolizes God’s deliverance against Israel’s enemies, as the remaining verses will unfold (2 Kings 13:16-17). Although 2 Kings 13:15 does not mention a specific location, the historical context places these events in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where Elisha often resided and ministered among the royal court and the people.
Then Elisha said to him, ‘Take a bow and arrows.’ So he took a bow and arrows. (v.15) can also be understood as God prompting His people to prepare for future victory, even when the victory is not yet visible. The physical act of gathering weapons under Elisha’s instructions is a call to demonstrate faith in the power of the Lord, reminiscent of New Testament themes where faith manifests in obedient action (James 2:17). By recording this moment, Scripture reminds believers of the indispensable link between following divine guidance and experiencing the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Then Elisha said to him, ‘Take a bow and arrows.’ So he took a bow and arrows. (v.15) further reveals the prophet’s role as a spiritual mentor who guides leaders toward obedience and trust in the Lord. This verse sets the stage for the king—likely Joash (also spelled Jehoash), who reigned in Israel around 798-782 BC—to act on God’s behalf. The prophet is not simply commanding a trivial gesture, but signaling the king’s need to align with God’s plan for Israel’s deliverance. In this way, the verse serves as an important reminder for believers across time to heed divine wisdom, no matter how simple or symbolic the initial step may seem.