2 Kings 13:20

King James Version (KJV)

And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

And Elisha died - The two prophets, Elijah and Elisha, were both most extraordinary men. Of the former, it is difficult to say whether he was a man, or an angel in a human body. The arguments for this latter opinion are strong, the objections against it very feeble. His being fed by an angel is no proof that he was not an angel incarnate, for God manifest in the flesh was fed by the same ministry. Of him the following from Ecclesiasticus (chap. 48:1-11) is a nervous character: -

Then stood up Elias the prophet as fire, and his word burned like a lamp.

He brought a sore famine upon them, and by his zeal he diminished their number.

By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and also three times brought down fire.

O Elias, how wast thou honored in thy wondrous deeds! and who may glory like unto thee!

Who didst raise up a dead man from death, and his soul from the place of the dead, by the word of the Most High:

Who broughtest kings to destruction, and honorable men from their bed:

Who heardest the rebuke of the Lord in Sinai, and in Horeb the judgment of vengeance:

Who anointedst kings to take revenge, and prophets to succeed after him:

Who wast taken up in a whirlwind of fire, and in a chariot of fiery horses:

Who wast ordained for reproofs in their times to pacify the wrath of the Lord's judgment, before it brake forth into fury; and to turn the heart of the father unto the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

Blessed are they that saw thee, and slept in love; for we shall surely live.

Elisha was not less eminent than Elijah; the history of his ministry is more detailed than that of his master, and his miracles are various and stupendous. In many things there is a striking likeness between him and our blessed Lord, and especially in the very beneficent miracles which he wrought. Of him the same author gives this character, Ecclus. 48:12-14: Elisha was filled with his spirit: whilst he lived he was not moved with the presence of any prince; neither could any bring him into subjection. Nothing could overcome him; and after his death his body prophesied, i.e., raised a dead man to life, as we learn from the following verse. He did wonders in his life, and at his death there his works marvellous; perhaps referring to his last acts with Joash.

The bands of the Moabites - Marauding parties; such as those mentioned 2 Kings 5:2.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

The bands of the Moabites invaded the land - The Moabites had been increasing in strength ever since their revolt from Ahaziah 2 Kings 1:1. The defeat which they suffered at the hands of Jehoram and Jehoshaphat 2 Kings 3:24 did not affect their subjugation. They spread themselves into the country north of the Arnon Isaiah 16:2, and thence proceeded to make plundering expeditious year by year into Samaria, in Spring. This was the natural season for incursions, as then in Palestine the crops began to be ripe.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

God has many ways to chastise a provoking people. Trouble comes sometimes from that point whence we least feared it. The mention of this invasion on the death of Elisha, shows that the removal of God's faithful prophets is a presage of coming judgments. His dead body was a means of giving life to another dead body. This miracle was a confirmation of his prophecies. And it may have reference to Christ, by whose death and burial, the grave is made a safe and happy passage to life to all believers. Jehoash was successful against the Syrians, just as often as he had struck the ground with the arrows, then a stop was put to his victories. Many have repented, when too late, of distrusts and the straitness of their desires.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

20. Elisha died. Elisha was not privileged to ride the fiery chariot to heaven. It was his lot to suffer a lingering sickness and finally death. Many a devoted child of God has been called upon to pass through long hours of sickness and suffering. The reason may not always be plain, but in these trying moments comfort may be found in the knowledge that God is working all things for good, even the afflictions of the enemy (Rom. 8:28). Satan must be permitted to annoy lest he be able to advance the charge that he was not given a fair opportunity with every soul. This principle is clearly illustrated in the experience of Job (chs. 1, 2). It is further verified in the lives of godly men, who, despite their piety, suffered much pain and distress. The sufferer does well in trying moments to ponder the experiences of these worthies: (1) To reflect on godly Elisha, who had been instrumental in healing others of their diseases, even bringing back the dead to life, pining away of a mortal disease; (2) to behold John the Baptist, languishing in prison and shamelessly beheaded because of the rashness of a dissolute king; (3) to listen to the prayer of Paul for the removal of the “thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan,” and the response in the negative (2 Cor. 12:7-10); (4) to consider the fate of the disciples, all of whom met death by violence except John, and even he endured torture and banishment; (5) to contemplate Jesus, the supreme Exemplar, who, though He was the Son of God, suffered as no child of humanity will ever be called upon to suffer, and who declared, “The servant is not greater than his lord” (John 15:20).

In his final illness, Elisha did not complain or lose his faith in God. He knew that the presence of the Lord was always near and that angels were ever by his side. As he lived, so he died, trusting, hoping, faithful to the end.

Moabites. Moab lay to the east of the lower Jordan and the Dead Sea (see on ch. 3:4). Joram and Jehoshaphat had gained a measure of victory over the Moabites (ch. 3:24), but the enemy had now recovered and was making marauding expeditions into the territories of Israel.

The coming in of the year. Evidently the year beginning in the spring (see p. 109), with the month of Nisan, approximately our April. That was the natural season for military campaigns, for the rainy season was over, and the crops in Palestine were ripening. Thus the invading armies were able to live off the land and to carry away the new stocks of grain.

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Ellen G. White
Prophets and Kings, 261-4

So effectual had been his ministry and so widespread his influence that, as he lay upon his deathbed, even the youthful King Joash, an idolater with but little respect for God, recognized in the prophet a father in Israel, and acknowledged that his presence among them was of more value in time of trouble than the possession of an army of horses and chariots. The record reads: “Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.” 2 Kings 13:14. PK 261.1

To many a troubled soul in need of help the prophet had acted the part of a wise, sympathetic father. And in this instance he turned not from the godless youth before him, so unworthy of the position of trust he was occupying, and yet so greatly in need of counsel. God in His providence was bringing to the king an opportunity to redeem the failures of the past and to place his kingdom on vantage ground. The Syrian foe, now occupying the territory east of the Jordan, was to be repulsed. Once more the power of God was to be manifested in behalf of erring Israel. PK 261.2

The dying prophet bade the king, “Take bow and arrows.” Joash obeyed. Then the prophet said, “Put thine hand upon the bow.” Joash “put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands. And he said, Open the window eastward”—toward the cities beyond the Jordan in possession of the Syrians. The king having opened the latticed window, Elisha bade him shoot. As the arrow sped on its way, the prophet was inspired to say, “The arrow of the Lord's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.” PK 261.3

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Cross References

A. M. 3167. B.C. 837. buried him

the bands

the Moabites