Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Adam Clarke Commentary

The word of the Lord is with him - He has the gift of prophecy.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

And Jehoshaphat said, the word of the Lord is with him,.... To give them an answer, which he concluded from his being a servant and disciple of Elijah, whom he succeeded in his office, and of whom he had, doubtless, heard; and from his following the camp, and being in it, which he easily imagined was not to fight, but to assist by his advice and counsel, and by his prophecies, as there might be occasion for them:

so the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him; descended from their chariots, and went to the tent in the camp where he was; they did not send for him to come to them, but, in honour of him, went to him themselves.

Geneva Study Bible

(g) He is able to instruct us what God's will is in this point.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

The word, … — He is a true prophet. Which Jehoshaphat might easily understand, because being a good man, many would be ready to inform him of.

Went — To his tent; which was either in the camp, or not far from it: they did not send for him, but went to him, that by giving him this honour, they might engage him to give them his utmost assistance.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

2 Kings 3:12 And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

Ver. 12. So the king of Israel.] By Jehoshaphat’s persuasion likely, and the present necessity. Either zeal or need will make a prophet honoured. These three kings sent not for Elisha, but went unto him.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

The word of the Lord is with him; we may inquire the mind of God by him, for he is a true prophet; which Jehoshaphat might easily understand, because being a good man, and a great favourer of the Lord’s prophets, he would diligently inquire, and many persons would be ready to inform him, of all things of that nature, and, amongst others, of Elijah’s calling of Elisha by casting his prophetical mantle over him, 1 Kings 19:19, and of Elijah’s translation and Elisha’s substitution in his place, and of the proof of it, 2 Kings 2:8,14.

Down to him; to his tent; which was either in the camp, or not far from it; for he went along with the army by the impulse of God’s Spirit for this very occasion. They did not send for him, but went to him, that by giving him this honour they might more effectually engage him to give them his utmost assistance; and because they had heard that he was a man of a rugged temper and carriage, who therefore was to be sweetened, and so disposed to pity and relieve them.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

12.Went down to him — They do not presume to summon Elisha into their presence, but, humbled in spirit, all three of the kings go down to him, thereby showing their respect and reverence for him, and their confidence in his gift of prophecy. He probably sat waiting for them in some neighbouring valley.

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments

2 Kings 3:12. The word of the Lord is with him — He is a true prophet, and the Lord declares his will by him. Undoubtedly he had been informed how Elijah had chosen him his successor; how he had attended him till he was taken up into heaven, and what wonders he had already done. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat, &c., went down to him — To his tent, which was either in the camp or not far from it. They did not send for him, but went to him, that by paying him this respect, and thus honouring him, they might engage him to give them his utmost assistance.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

With him. I am content. (Haydock) --- Others read with an interrogation, as if the reputation of Eliseus was not yet established. (Menochius) --- Him; they go to his tent. No one ever supported the character of God's envoy, or shewed his authority over the most haughty, better than Eliseus. (Calmet)

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Jehoshaphat. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, add "king of Judah".

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

Jehoshaphat said, The word of the Lord is with him. The phrase is used here as synonymous with 'a true and eminent prophet,' who will reveal God's will to us.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat.—All the versions except the Targum add, “the king of Judah.” Jehoshaphat said what follows either on the ground of Elijah’s reputation, or because the news of Elisha’s succession had already reached Judah.

The proper names, Shaphat and Jehoshaphat, are identical (He judgeth, i.e., Jah judgeth). (Comp. Ahaz and Jehoahaz.)

Went down to him.—From the royal tents, which were probably pitched on an eminence, so as to overlook the camp. The three kings go to consult the prophet as persons of ordinary station might do. This shows the estimation in which he was held. Keil says they were humbled by misfortune.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

The word

2:14,15,21,24; 1 Samuel 3:19-21

Israel

2:25; 5:8,9,15; Isaiah 49:23; 60:14; Revelation 3:9