2 Kings 13:19
And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.
2 Kings 13:19 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the Book of Kings, we see the prophet Elisha expressing disappointment towards King Joash of Israel. Elisha instructs the king to strike the ground with arrows as a symbolic act of delivering victory over the kingdom of Syria. However, King Joash only strikes three times before stopping, symbolizing a lack of faith and determination to fully defeat their enemy. Elisha's frustration stems from the missed opportunity for complete victory that could have been achieved if the king had struck the ground five or six times. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of persistence, faith, and following through with our actions to achieve success. It teaches us the consequences of half-hearted efforts and the impact it can have on our ability to achieve our goals. By fully committing to our endeavors, we can unlock the full potential of what is possible, as illustrated by Elisha's rebuke towards King Joash.
Theological Overview
Within this verse, we see the man of God expressing his frustration towards another individual for only partially following God's instructions. The man of God emphasizes the importance of complete obedience by highlighting the missed opportunities for victory if the instructions had been fully carried out. This serves as a reminder of the significance of following God's guidance without compromise. The theological interpretation of this verse underscores the idea that partial obedience is not acceptable in the eyes of God. By examining the implications of not fully fulfilling God's commands, we can glean deeper insights into the necessity of wholehearted obedience in our own lives.
2 Kings 13:19 in other translations
American Standard Version
And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times: then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it, whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.
World English Bible
The man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times. Then you would have struck Syria until you had consumed it, whereas now you shall strike Syria just three times.”
Douay-Rheims
And the man of God was angry with him, and said: If thou hadst smitten five or six or seven times, thou hadst smitten Syria even to utter destruction: but now three times shalt thou smite it.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then the man of God was angry with him, and sayde, Thou shouldest haue smitten fiue or sixe times, so thou shouldest haue smitten Aram, till thou haddest consumed it, where nowe thou shalt smite Aram but thrise.