2 Kings 3:14

12 Jehoshaphat affirmed, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

13 Elisha, however, said to the king of Israel, “What have we to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and of your mother!” “No,” replied the king of Israel, “for it is the LORD who has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab.”

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.

15 But now, bring me a harpist.” And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha

16 and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
KJV
And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.
WEB
Elisha said, “As the LORD of Armies lives, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I respect the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward you, nor see you.
ASV
And Elisha said, As Jehovah of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.
DARBY
And Elisha said, As Jehovah of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee nor see thee.
BLB
And Elisha said, “[As] YHWH of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely unless I am lifting up the face of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or see you.
ÅB
Da sa Elisa: Så sant Herren, hærskarenes Gud, lever, han hvis tjener jeg er: Var det ikke for Judas konge Josjafats skyld, så ville jeg ikke ense deg eller se på deg.
OTB
Elisja sa, "Så sant Herren, hærskarenes Gud, lever, som jeg tjener, hvis jeg ikke hadde respekt for Josjafat, kongen av Juda, ville jeg ikke se på deg eller legge merke til deg.
B1930
Da sa Elisa: Så sant Herren, hærskarenes Gud, lever, han hvis tjener jeg er: Var det ikke for Judas konge Josafats skyld, så vilde jeg ikke ense dig eller se på dig.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Kings 5:16

    But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 17:1

    Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD lives—the God of Israel before whom I stand—there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 1:18

    Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land.

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 19:3–4

    However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.”

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 14:5–18

    But the LORD had said to Ahijah, “Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to ask you about her son, for he is ill. You are to say such and such to her, because when she arrives, she will be disguised.”

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 17:3–9

    Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek out the Baals,

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 15:26–31

    “I will not return with you,” Samuel replied. “For you have rejected the word of the LORD, and He has rejected you as king over Israel.”

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 21:20

    When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.

    Read in context