2 Kings 3:14

Arabic Bible AVD 1999 (الكتاب المقدس)

فَقَالَ أَلِيشَعُ: «حَيٌّ هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْجُنُودِ ٱلَّذِي أَنَا وَاقِفٌ أَمَامَهُ، إِنَّهُ لَوْلَا أَنِّي رَافِعٌ وَجْهَ يَهُوشَافَاطَ مَلِكِ يَهُوذَا، لَمَا كُنْتُ أَنْظُرُ إِلَيْكَ وَلَا أَرَاكَ.

What Does This Mean?

Elisha is talking to the kings of Israel and Moab. He says he wouldn't even look at the king of Israel if it weren't for Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, being present. Elisha is emphasizing his respect for God and Jehoshaphat.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a friend who you really respect and like. You're playing with your friend and someone you don't like very much comes over. But because your friend is there, you decide to be nice and play with everyone. That's kind of what Elisha is saying here.

Historical Background

This verse is from the Old Testament book of 2 Kings, likely written by an anonymous author around the 6th century BCE. The original audience was the Israelites who were exiled in Babylon. The cultural setting is one of kings and prophets where loyalty and divine favor are key themes.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, think of a situation where you might not want to associate with someone, but you do because of the presence of a friend. This verse reminds us to consider the impact of our actions on others and to be mindful of the company we keep.

Topics

• loyalty
• divine favor
• prophets
• kings
• respect
• companionship

Related Verses

• 1 Kings 19:15
• 2 Kings 6:15
• 2 Chronicles 20:37
• Romans 15:5
• 1 Corinthians 12:26

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Elisha say he wouldn't look at the king of Israel?

Elisha is emphasizing his respect for God and Jehoshaphat, showing that his actions are influenced by his loyalty to both.

What does it mean to 'regard the presence' of someone?

To 'regard the presence' of someone means to take that person into consideration and allow their influence to affect your actions.

How does this verse relate to friendship?

This verse shows the importance of friendship and how the presence of a good friend can influence our decisions and behaviors.

What can we learn about loyalty from this verse?

The verse teaches us about the importance of loyalty and how it can shape our actions, even when we might not agree with others.