This passage shows how God’s faithful often display courage in the face of danger.
“Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. And the king sent a man from his presence; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, ‘Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold the door shut against him. Is not the sound of his master’s feet behind him?’” (v.32)
In this scene, Elisha (who ministered as a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel around 850 - 800 BC) is in his house, surrounded by elders, presumably in the region of Samaria. During this period, Aram (Syria) was waging war against Israel, creating immense distress in the land (2 Kings 6:8-33). The verse describes how the king—often identified as Jehoram (son of King Ahab, whom Elisha refers to as “this son of a murderer”)—sends a messenger to seize or kill the prophet. Ahab (reigned from ca. 874 - 853 BC) had gained a bloody reputation, notably for orchestrating the death of Naboth (1 Kings 21). When Elisha says “this son of a murderer” has sent someone to take his head, he underscores the king’s heritage of violence and wicked oppression. Despite the threat, Elisha displays calm resolve. He instructs the elders to bar the door against the king’s envoy—an act that stresses God’s protection over His prophet (see 2 Kings 6:16-17 for another moment when Elisha was protected in dire circumstances).
On a deeper level, this verse highlights Elisha’s insight into the spiritual realities behind earthly turmoil. He perceives the king’s plan before the messenger arrives, revealing how the LORD often grants discernment to His servants. The elders’ presence indicates that not all of Israel’s leadership was loyal to the violent impulses of the king; some were willing to stand in solidarity with God’s prophet. Geographically, this event likely takes place in or near Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom. Samaria was established by Omri (father of Ahab) as Israel’s seat of power, and it became the backdrop for many confrontations between Israel’s kings and God’s prophets.
Elisha’s actions foreshadow the prophetic role of boldness and trust in God’s protection that culminates in the New Testament with Jesus’ own resolve under threat (Luke 13:31-33). Just as Elisha could not be destroyed until God’s timing allowed, so Jesus walked His path unshaken, knowing He was in the Father’s will (John 7:30). Both accounts show the sovereignty of God over hostile human intentions, reminding believers that God’s purposes stand firm even when threatened by earthly powers.
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2 Kings 6:32 meaning
“Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. And the king sent a man from his presence; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, ‘Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold the door shut against him. Is not the sound of his master’s feet behind him?’” (v.32)
In this scene, Elisha (who ministered as a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel around 850 - 800 BC) is in his house, surrounded by elders, presumably in the region of Samaria. During this period, Aram (Syria) was waging war against Israel, creating immense distress in the land (2 Kings 6:8-33). The verse describes how the king—often identified as Jehoram (son of King Ahab, whom Elisha refers to as “this son of a murderer”)—sends a messenger to seize or kill the prophet. Ahab (reigned from ca. 874 - 853 BC) had gained a bloody reputation, notably for orchestrating the death of Naboth (1 Kings 21). When Elisha says “this son of a murderer” has sent someone to take his head, he underscores the king’s heritage of violence and wicked oppression. Despite the threat, Elisha displays calm resolve. He instructs the elders to bar the door against the king’s envoy—an act that stresses God’s protection over His prophet (see 2 Kings 6:16-17 for another moment when Elisha was protected in dire circumstances).
On a deeper level, this verse highlights Elisha’s insight into the spiritual realities behind earthly turmoil. He perceives the king’s plan before the messenger arrives, revealing how the LORD often grants discernment to His servants. The elders’ presence indicates that not all of Israel’s leadership was loyal to the violent impulses of the king; some were willing to stand in solidarity with God’s prophet. Geographically, this event likely takes place in or near Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom. Samaria was established by Omri (father of Ahab) as Israel’s seat of power, and it became the backdrop for many confrontations between Israel’s kings and God’s prophets.
Elisha’s actions foreshadow the prophetic role of boldness and trust in God’s protection that culminates in the New Testament with Jesus’ own resolve under threat (Luke 13:31-33). Just as Elisha could not be destroyed until God’s timing allowed, so Jesus walked His path unshaken, knowing He was in the Father’s will (John 7:30). Both accounts show the sovereignty of God over hostile human intentions, reminding believers that God’s purposes stand firm even when threatened by earthly powers.