2-kings 3:15

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came on him.

American King James Version (AKJV)

But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came on him.

American Standard Version (ASV)

But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of Jehovah came upon him.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

But now, get me a player of music, and it will come about that while the man is playing, the hand of the Lord will come on me and I will give you the word of the Lord: and they got a player of music, and while the man was playing, the hand of the Lord was on him.

Webster's Revision

But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.

World English Bible

But now bring me a minstrel." It happened, when the minstrel played, that the hand of Yahweh came on him.

English Revised Version (ERV)

But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.

Clarke's 2-kings 3:15 Bible Commentary

Bring me a minstrel - A person who played on the harp. The rabbins, and many Christians, suppose that Elisha's mind was considerably irritated and grieved by the bad behavior of the young men at Beth-el, and their tragical end, and by the presence of the idolatrous king of Israel; and therefore called for Divine psalmody, that it might calm his spirits, and render him more susceptible of the prophetic influence. To be able to discern the voice of God, and the operation of his hand, it is necessary that the mind be calm, and the passions all in harmony, under the direction of reason; that reason may be under the influence of the Divine Spirit.

The hand of the Lord came upon him - The playing of the harper had the desired effect; his mind was calmed, and the power of God descended upon him. This effect of music was generally acknowledged in every civilized nation. Cicero, in his Tusculan Questions, lib. iv., says, that "the Pythagoreans were accustomed to calm their minds, and soothe their passions, by singing and playing upon the harp." Pythagoraei mentes suas a cogitationum intentione cantu fidibusque ad tranquillitatem traducebant. I have spoken elsewhere of the heathen priests who endeavored to imitate the true prophets, and were as actually filled with the devil as the others were with the true God. The former were thrown into violent agitations and contortions by the influence of the demons which possessed them, while the latter were in a state of the utmost serenity and composure.

Barnes's 2-kings 3:15 Bible Commentary

Music seems to have been a regular accompaniment of prophecy in the "schools of the prophets" (marginal reference), and an occasional accompaniment of it elsewhere Exodus 15:20.

Wesley's 2-kings 3:15 Bible Commentary

3:15 Minstrel - One that can sing and play upon a musical instrument.This he requires, that his mind which had been disturbed at the sight of wicked Jehoram, might be composed, and that he might be excited to more fervent prayer whereby he was prepared to receive the prophetic inspiration.Those that desire communion with God must keep their spirits quiet and serene. All hurry of spirit, and all turbulent passions, make us unfit for divine visitations. The hand, &c. - The spirit of prophecy, so called, to note that it was no natural nor acquired virtue inherent in him; but a singular gift of God, given to whom and when he pleased.

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