Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 6
God had not forgotten the people in Samaria in all their troubles. He still cared about them. By his direction, Elisha, his prophet (holy man), had remained in the city through all these terrible events.
There was much work for a prophet in this situation. He needed to bring the people’s troubles to God in prayer, and to declare the messages that God gave him. He had to urge the people to turn from their evil behaviour and back to God. He had to teach them to obey God’s law. He had to show them how they could serve God in this desperate situation.
Many of the people in the city were listening to him. They knew that God was their only hope at this time. Even the elders gathered in his house to inquire of God and to hear what Elisha was saying. These were the older men in the city whom the people considered to be their leaders. They probably included the city’s judges and heads of the principal families. These were the king’s most important advisers (1 Kings 20:7-8). Probably in the past they had followed the false religions of Samaria (1 Kings 16:32). However, since then they had seen how powerfully God worked through the lives of Elijah and Elisha. So now, even these elders were starting to trust in the true God.
God showed Elisha that the king was coming to try to murder him. Before the king arrived, he (the king) would send his servant. So, Elisha asked the elders to shut the door firmly. They must not allow the servant to enter until the king himself came. Then Elisha would declare God’s message to the king.
Next part: Joram blames God for his troubles (2 Kings 6:33)
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