2 Kings 3:15

15 But now bring me someone who plays the harp." While that person was playing the harp, the LORD's powerful hand came on Elisha.

2 Kings 3:15 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 3:15

But now bring me a minstrel
A piper, a man that knows how to play upon the harp, as the Targum; according to Procopius Gazaeus, this was one of the Levites he ordered to be fetched, who was used to the spiritual melody of David, and could play on musical instruments as he directed. This he did to allay his passion, and compose his spirits, ruffled at the sight of Jehoram, and to fit him to receive prophetic inspiration, which sometimes came upon the Lord's prophets when thus employed, see ( 1 Samuel 10:5 ) . Some think ^F8 the music the prophet called for is that sort the Greeks call "harmony", which is the gravest and saddest, and settles the affections:

and it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the
Lord came upon him;
the spirit of prophecy, as the Targum, which came by the power of God, and as a gift from his hand.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Weemse's Christ. Synagog. l. 1. c. 6. sect. 4. p. 143.

2 Kings 3:15 In-Context

13 Elisha spoke to the king of Israel. He said, "What do you and I have in common? Go to your father's prophets. Go to your mother's prophets." "No," the king of Israel answered. "The LORD called us three kings together. He did it to hand us over to Moab."

14 Elisha said, "I serve the LORD who rules over all. You can be sure that he lives. And you can be just as sure that I have respect for Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah. If I didn't, I wouldn't look at you or even notice you.

15 But now bring me someone who plays the harp." While that person was playing the harp, the LORD's powerful hand came on Elisha.

16 Elisha announced, "The LORD says, 'Dig a lot of ditches in this valley.'

17 Do it because the LORD says, 'You will not see wind or rain. But this valley will be filled with water. Then you, your cattle and your other animals will have water to drink.'