In 2 Kings 6:31, King Joram’s anger and despair over the siege of Samaria lead him to threaten Elisha’s life, revealing his misplaced blame and turmoil.
It is written in 2 Kings 6:31 that “Then he said, ‘May God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat remains on him today.’” (v.31). In this moment, the king of Israel—historically recognized as King Joram (also spelled Jehoram), who reigned in the Northern Kingdom from around 852 to 841 B.C.—is furious over the prolonged siege of Samaria. Samaria was located in the central region of what is now northern Israel, serving as the capital city of the Northern Kingdom. Surrounded by enemy forces (the Arameans), the people within its walls suffered not only from scarcity of resources but also from hopelessness in the face of unrelenting hardship. The king, in his frustration, directs his anger toward the prophet Elisha, blaming him for the dire crisis and swearing an oath that Elisha’s life will end before the day is done.
When the king exclaims, “May God do so to me and more also” (v.31), he is using a recognized Hebrew oath formula, promising divine judgment upon himself if he fails to carry out his threat against Elisha. This intense declaration underscores the king's despair, prompting him to look for someone—anyone—who might be held responsible for the calamities. Elisha was known as a prophet of the LORD in the tradition of Elijah, performing miracles and speaking divine truth to kings and leaders (2 Kings 2:9-14). His position as a spiritual authority and miracle-worker often placed him in situations where rulers turned to him for answers or, in this case, held him accountable for outcomes they did not favor.
Though the king’s reaction appears desperate and misguided, the passage shows how earthly rulers and political powers sometimes fail to grasp God’s greater plan of deliverance. Later events reveal that Elisha continued to serve as God’s instrument, demonstrating that ultimate power rests in the LORD, not in human hands. This concept of trusting God’s sovereignty in dire circumstances is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are urged to abide in faith and endurance (James 1:2-4), even when situations seem insurmountable.
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2 Kings 6:31 meaning
It is written in 2 Kings 6:31 that “Then he said, ‘May God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat remains on him today.’” (v.31). In this moment, the king of Israel—historically recognized as King Joram (also spelled Jehoram), who reigned in the Northern Kingdom from around 852 to 841 B.C.—is furious over the prolonged siege of Samaria. Samaria was located in the central region of what is now northern Israel, serving as the capital city of the Northern Kingdom. Surrounded by enemy forces (the Arameans), the people within its walls suffered not only from scarcity of resources but also from hopelessness in the face of unrelenting hardship. The king, in his frustration, directs his anger toward the prophet Elisha, blaming him for the dire crisis and swearing an oath that Elisha’s life will end before the day is done.
When the king exclaims, “May God do so to me and more also” (v.31), he is using a recognized Hebrew oath formula, promising divine judgment upon himself if he fails to carry out his threat against Elisha. This intense declaration underscores the king's despair, prompting him to look for someone—anyone—who might be held responsible for the calamities. Elisha was known as a prophet of the LORD in the tradition of Elijah, performing miracles and speaking divine truth to kings and leaders (2 Kings 2:9-14). His position as a spiritual authority and miracle-worker often placed him in situations where rulers turned to him for answers or, in this case, held him accountable for outcomes they did not favor.
Though the king’s reaction appears desperate and misguided, the passage shows how earthly rulers and political powers sometimes fail to grasp God’s greater plan of deliverance. Later events reveal that Elisha continued to serve as God’s instrument, demonstrating that ultimate power rests in the LORD, not in human hands. This concept of trusting God’s sovereignty in dire circumstances is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are urged to abide in faith and endurance (James 1:2-4), even when situations seem insurmountable.