CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 3:15 But now, bring me a harpist." And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/3-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/12_2Ki_03_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 3:15 - Joram Overcomes Moab's Rebellion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But now, bring me a harpist. And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_kings/3-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_kings/3-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_kings/3-14.htm" title="2 Kings 3:14">◄</a> 2 Kings 3:15 <a href="/2_kings/3-16.htm" title="2 Kings 3:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_kings/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_kings/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But now bring me a harpist.&#8221 While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came on Elisha<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Now bring me someone who can play the harp.” While the harp was being played, the power of the LORD came upon Elisha,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But now bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, the hand of the LORD came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But now, bring me a harpist.” And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But now bring me a musician.” Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But now bring me a musician.” And it came about, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But now bring me a minstrel.&#8221 And it came about, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But now bring me a minstrel.” And it came about, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So now bring me a musician.” And it came about, when the musician played, that the hand of Yahweh came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But now bring me a musician.” And it came about while the musician played, that the hand (power) of the LORD came upon Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now, bring me a musician.” While the musician played, the LORD’s hand came on Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now, bring me a musician.&#8221 While the musician played, the LORD&#8217s hand came on Elisha. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of Jehovah came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then Elisha said, "Send for someone who can play the harp." The harpist began playing, and the LORD gave Elisha this message for Joram: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But get me someone to play some music." While the musician was playing, the LORD's power came over Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Now get me a musician." As the musician played his harp, the power of the LORD came on Elisha, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now bring me a musician." As the musician played, the hand of the LORD rested on Elisha, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But now, bring me a harpist.? And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But now, get me a musician." When the musician played, the LORD energized him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But now bring me a minstrel." It happened, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came on him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But now bring me a musician.” When the musician played, Yahweh’s hand came on him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and now, bring a musician to me”; and it has been, at the playing of the musician, that the hand of YHWH is on him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and now, bring to me a minstrel; and it hath been, at the playing of the minstrel, that the hand of Jehovah is on him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And now take to me a player on an instrument And it was when the player played, and the hand of Jehovah will be upon him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But now bring me hither a minstrel. And when the minstrel played, the hand of the Lord came upon him, and he said: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But now, bring a musician to me.” And while the musician was playing, the hand of the Lord fell upon him, and he said:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now get me a minstrel.” When the minstrel played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But get me a musician.” And then, while the musician was playing, the power of the LORD came on him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, the hand of the LORD came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And now, bring to me a Minstrel!” And it was that when the Minstrel played, the hand of LORD JEHOVAH was upon him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But now bring me a minstrel.' And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And now fetch me a harper. And it came to pass, as the harper harped, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/3-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=760" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/3.htm">Joram Overcomes Moab's Rebellion</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>Then Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not for my regard for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or acknowledge you. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">But now,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: qə·ḥū- (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">bring</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/5059.htm" title="5059: mə·nag·gên (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to thrum, i.e. Beat a tune with the fingers; expec. To play on a stringed instrument; hence, to make music.">a harpist.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">And while</a> <a href="/hebrew/5059.htm" title="5059: ham·nag·gên (Art:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to thrum, i.e. Beat a tune with the fingers; expec. To play on a stringed instrument; hence, to make music.">the harpist</a> <a href="/hebrew/5059.htm" title="5059: kə·nag·gên (Prep-k:: V-Piel-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to thrum, i.e. Beat a tune with the fingers; expec. To play on a stringed instrument; hence, to make music.">played,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yaḏ- (N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">the hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wat·tə·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">upon Elisha</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-5.htm">1 Samuel 10:5-6</a></span><br />After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying. / Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/25-1.htm">1 Chronicles 25:1-3</a></span><br />Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-23.htm">1 Samuel 16:23</a></span><br />And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/5-13.htm">2 Chronicles 5:13-14</a></span><br />The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud / so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-20.htm">1 Samuel 19:20-24</a></span><br />he sent messengers to seize him. But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came upon them, and Saul’s messengers also began to prophesy. / When this was reported to Saul, he sent more messengers, but they began to prophesy as well. So Saul tried again and sent messengers a third time, and even they began to prophesy. / Finally, Saul himself left for Ramah and came to the large cistern at Secu, where he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “At Naioth in Ramah,” he was told. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-21.htm">2 Chronicles 20:21-22</a></span><br />Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.” / The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/13-8.htm">1 Chronicles 13:8</a></span><br />David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/16-4.htm">1 Chronicles 16:4-6</a></span><br />David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. / Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals / and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/29-25.htm">2 Chronicles 29:25-30</a></span><br />Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets. / The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. / And Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be sacrificed on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD and the trumpets began as well, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-2.htm">Psalm 33:2-3</a></span><br />Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings. / Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/150-3.htm">Psalm 150:3-5</a></span><br />Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre. / Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. / Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18-19</a></span><br />Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. / Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-16.htm">Colossians 3:16</a></span><br />Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25-26</a></span><br />About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. / Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-15.htm">1 Corinthians 14:15</a></span><br />What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came on him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/10-5.htm">1 Samuel 10:5</a></b></br> After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where <i>is</i> the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/16-23.htm">1 Samuel 16:23</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when the <i>evil</i> spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/18-10.htm">1 Samuel 18:10</a></b></br> And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and <i>there was</i> a javelin in Saul's hand.</p><p class="hdg">the hand</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/18-46.htm">1 Kings 18:46</a></b></br> And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/1-3.htm">Ezekiel 1:3</a></b></br> The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/3-14.htm">Ezekiel 3:14,22</a></b></br> So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/3-14.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-13.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-9.htm">Music</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-5.htm">Played</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-17.htm">Player</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-40.htm">Playing</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-45.htm">Power</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-12.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-18.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-31.htm">Music</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-25.htm">Played</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-32.htm">Player</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/13-8.htm">Playing</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-34.htm">Power</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-7.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/3-1.htm">Jehoram's reign</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/3-4.htm">Mesha rebels</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/3-6.htm">Jehoram, with Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom, being distressed for want of water, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/3-13.htm">by Elisha obtains water, and promise of victory</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/3-21.htm">The Moabites, deceived by the colour of the water, coming to spoil, are overcome</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/3-26.htm">The king of Moab sacrifices his son, and raises the siege</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But now, bring me a harpist.</b><br>In the context of <a href="/2_kings/3.htm">2 Kings 3</a>, Elisha is addressing the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom, who have come to seek his counsel during their campaign against Moab. The request for a harpist signifies the importance of music in prophetic ministry, as it often facilitated a spiritual atmosphere conducive to receiving divine revelation. This practice is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as in <a href="/1_samuel/10-5.htm">1 Samuel 10:5</a>, where prophets are accompanied by musical instruments. The harp, a common instrument in ancient Israel, was used in worship and prophecy, highlighting the connection between music and spiritual experiences.<p><b>And while the harpist played,</b><br>The playing of the harp signifies a transition into a state of spiritual receptivity. Music in the ancient Near East, particularly in Israel, was not merely for entertainment but was deeply intertwined with worship and prophecy. The soothing and uplifting nature of music could help focus the mind and spirit, preparing the prophet to receive God's message. This reflects the broader biblical theme of worship as a means of drawing near to God, as seen in <a href="/psalms/100-2.htm">Psalm 100:2</a>, which encourages coming before the Lord with joyful songs.<p><b>the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha.</b><br>The phrase "the hand of the LORD" indicates divine empowerment and inspiration. This expression is used throughout the Old Testament to describe the Spirit of God coming upon individuals to enable them to perform specific tasks or deliver messages (e.g., <a href="/ezekiel/1-3.htm">Ezekiel 1:3, 37</a>:1). In this instance, it signifies that Elisha is about to receive a prophetic word from God. Theologically, this underscores the belief that true prophecy originates from God and not from human initiative. Elisha, as a type of Christ, serves as a mediator of God's will, foreshadowing the ultimate revelation of God through Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh (<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a></b><br>A prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for his miracles and guidance to the kings of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jehoram.htm">Jehoram (Joram)</a></b><br>King of Israel, son of Ahab, who sought Elisha's counsel during a military campaign.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jehoshaphat.htm">Jehoshaphat</a></b><br>King of Judah, a godly king who allied with Jehoram in the campaign against Moab.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>A neighboring nation that rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab, leading to the military campaign.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/harpist.htm">Harpist</a></b><br>A musician whose playing facilitated a prophetic atmosphere for Elisha to receive God's message.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_worship_in_hearing_god.htm">The Role of Worship in Hearing God</a></b><br>Worship, particularly through music, can create an environment conducive to receiving God's guidance. Just as Elisha called for a harpist, we can use worship to focus our hearts and minds on God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_hand_of_the_lord.htm">The Hand of the LORD</a></b><br>The phrase "the hand of the LORD" signifies God's power and presence. In our lives, we should seek to be sensitive to God's hand guiding us through His Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_prophetic_insight.htm">Preparation for Prophetic Insight</a></b><br>Elisha's request for a harpist shows the importance of preparing our hearts to hear from God. We should cultivate spiritual disciplines that help us be receptive to God's voice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_seeking_god.htm">Unity in Seeking God</a></b><br>The alliance of Jehoram and Jehoshaphat, despite their differences, underscores the power of unity in seeking divine guidance. We should strive for unity in our communities when seeking God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_guidance_in_crisis.htm">God's Guidance in Crisis</a></b><br>The context of this verse is a military crisis. It reminds us that in times of trouble, turning to God for guidance should be our first response.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_high_places_remain_in_1_kings_15_14.htm">In 1 Kings 15:14, why are the high places said to remain, yet 2 Chronicles 14:3 claims Asa removed them?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_abijah_more_faithful_in_chronicles.htm">2 Chronicles 13 compared with 1 Kings 15:3 - Why does Abijah appear more faithful in Chronicles than in Kings, and what might explain this seeming discrepancy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god_change_his_mind_or_not.htm">Does God change his mind? I Samuel 15:10-11, 15:35, and Genesis 6:6-7 suggest yes, while I Samuel 15:29 suggests no. How do these contradictions reconcile?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_david's_kingdom_size_disputed.htm">Why do historical records suggest that David's kingdom was much smaller than the Bible describes?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">Bring me a minstrel</span>.--<span class= "ital">M?nagg?n</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, a harper, player on a stringed instrument (<span class= "ital">n?gin?h</span>). Elisha called for music as a natural means of calming his perturbed spirit (<a href="/context/2_kings/3-13.htm" title="And Elisha said to the king of Israel, What have I to do with you? get you to the prophets of your father, and to the prophets of your mother. And the king of Israel said to him, No: for the LORD has called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.">2Kings 3:13-14</a>). Composure and serenity of soul were essential, if the prophet was to hear the voice of God within. Cicero tells us that the Pythagoreans were wont to tranquillise their minds after the strain of thought with' harp music and singing (<span class= "ital">Tusc</span>. Iv. 2). (Comp. <a href="/1_samuel/10-5.htm" title="After that you shall come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when you are come thither to the city, that you shall meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:">1Samuel 10:5</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/25-1.htm" title="Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:">1Chronicles 25:1</a>, Note.) The incident is a striking mark of the <span class= "ital">historical</span> truth of the narrative.<p><span class= "bld">And it came to pass.</span>--Perfect with <span class= "ital">weak waw</span>: a later idiom. (Comp. <a href="/1_samuel/17-48.htm" title="And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew near to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.">1Samuel 17:48</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">The hand of the Lord came upon him.</span>--Targum and some MSS., "the Spirit of the Lord;" but comp. <a href="/1_kings/18-46.htm" title="And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.">1Kings 18:46</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But now bring me a minstrel.</span> A player on the harp seems to be intended. Music was cultivated in the schools of the prophets (<a href="/1_samuel/10-5.htm">1 Samuel 10:5</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/25-1.htm">1 Chronicles 25:1-3</a>), and was employed to soothe and quiet the soul, to help it to forget things earthly and external, and bring it into that ecstatic condition in which it was most open to the reception of Divine influences. As David's harping refreshed Saul, and tranquillized his spirit (<a href="/1_samuel/16-23.htm">1 Samuel 16:23</a>), so the playing of any skilled minstrel had a soothing effect on those possessing the prophetic gift generally, and enabled them to shut out the outer world, and concentrate their whole attention on the inward voice which communicated to them the Divine messages. <span class="cmt_word">And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.</span> By "the hand of the Lord" is meant the power of the Spirit of God, the Divine effluence, whatever it was, which acquainted the prophets with the Divine will, and enabled them to utter it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/3-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But now,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bring</span><br /><span class="heb">קְחוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(qə·ḥū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">a harpist.”</span><br /><span class="heb">מְנַגֵּ֑ן</span> <span class="translit">(mə·nag·gên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5059.htm">Strong's 5059: </a> </span><span class="str2">To touch or play a stringed instrument</span><br /><br /><span class="word">And while the harpist</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽמְנַגֵּ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(ham·nag·gên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5059.htm">Strong's 5059: </a> </span><span class="str2">To touch or play a stringed instrument</span><br /><br /><span class="word">played,</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּנַגֵּ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(kə·nag·gên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5059.htm">Strong's 5059: </a> </span><span class="str2">To touch or play a stringed instrument</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the hand</span><br /><span class="heb">יַד־</span> <span class="translit">(yaḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָיָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">upon Elisha</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלָ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/3-15.htm">2 Kings 3:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/3-15.htm">2 Kings 3:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/3-15.htm">2 Kings 3:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/3-15.htm">2 Kings 3:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/3-15.htm">2 Kings 3:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/3-15.htm">2 Kings 3:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/3-15.htm">2 Kings 3:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/3-15.htm">2 Kings 3:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/3-15.htm">2 Kings 3:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/3-15.htm">2 Kings 3:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/3-15.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 3:15 But now bring me a minstrel (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/3-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 3:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 3:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/3-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 3:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 3:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>