Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 3
God is pleased with the sincere prayers of his loyal people (Psalm 19:14). However, God wants all people to turn from their evil deeds (Isaiah 59:2 and 55:6-7). When wicked people proudly demand God’s attention, God is angry with them (Psalm 50:16-22).
For that reason, Elisha dealt very firmly with Joram, the new king of northern and central Israel. Joram’s parents had introduced new religions into Israel. They dealt cruelly with God’s prophets (holy people), and they murdered many of them (1 Kings 19:10).
Instead of God’s prophets, Joram’s parents, Ahab and Jezebel, had appointed false prophets. These were people who were leaders in their own religions (1 Kings 18:19). Or, they were people whose messages from the spirit world pleased the king (1 Kings 22:6-28).
Elisha wanted Joram to know clearly that he was a prophet of the true God. So, Elisha would not declare a message to please Joram or anyone else. Elisha would only declare the messages that God gave to him.
Joram seemed afraid. However, he insisted that he needed to hear Elisha’s message from God. It was God who brought about this situation, Joram said. Therefore, he did not want to hear an answer that would please him. He wanted to know what God was saying about this matter. Joram had not asked Elisha merely for his own benefit. The kings of three nations had gathered together with their whole armies; and they were all in great danger.
Next part: Elisha's respect for Jehoshaphat (2 Kings 3:14)
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