2 Kings 6:32

King James Version (KJV)

But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master’s feet behind him?

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

This son of a murderer - Jehoram, the son of Ahab and Jezebel. But Ahab is called a murderer because of the murder of Naboth.

Shut the door - He was obliged to make use of this method for his personal safety, as the king was highly incensed.

The sound of his master's feet behind him? - That is, King Jehoram is following his messenger, that he may see him take off my head.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

But Elisha sat … - Translate, “And Elisha was sitting in his house, and all the elders were sitting with him, when the king sent, etc.”

The “elders,” - either “the elders of the city” or “the elders of the land,” - who may have been in session at Samaria now, as they had been at the time of a former siege 1 Kings 20:7 - had gone to Elisha for his advice or assistance. Their imminent peril drove them to acknowledge the power of Yahweh, and to consult with His prophet.

This son of a murderer - i. e. of Ahab, the murderer, not only of Naboth, but also of all the prophets of the Lord (marginal reference), whom be allowed Jezebel to slay.

Hold him fast at the door - The elders, public officials, not private friends of Elisha, could not have been expected to resist the entrance of the executioner at the mere request of the prophet. He therefore assigns a reason for his request - “the king is coming in person, either to confirm or revoke his order - will they detain the headsman until his arrival?”

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Learn to value plenty, and to be thankful for it; see how contemptible money is, when in time of famine it is so freely parted with for any thing that is eatable! The language of Jehoram to the woman may be the language of despair. See the word of God fulfilled; among the threatenings of God's judgments upon Israel for their sins, this was one, that they should eat the flesh of their own children, De 28:53-57. The truth and the awful justice of God were displayed in this horrible transaction. Alas! what miseries sin has brought upon the world! But the foolishness of man perverts his way, and then his heart frets against the Lord. The king swears the death of Elisha. Wicked men will blame any one as the cause of their troubles, rather than themselves, and will not leave their sins. If rending the clothes, without a broken and contrite heart, would avail, if wearing sackcloth, without being renewed in the spirit of their mind, would serve, they would not stand out against the Lord. May the whole word of God increase in us reverent fear and holy hope, that we may be stedfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labour is not in vain in the Lord.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

32. The elders sat. These probably included not only the leaders of the city but also the nobles and chiefs of the entire land. As such they were the most respected and the most substantial citizens of the state. At this hour of emergency they had gone to the home of Elisha, obviously for his advice and assistance. Their imminent peril caused them to acknowledge the power of Jehovah and to seek for help from His prophet. Later, when the inhabitants of Jerusalem found themselves in a similar crisis, Jeremiah was consulted for guidance and information concerning the will of the Lord (Jer. 21:1, 2; 38:14).

Ere the messenger came. Joram sought to take the life of Elisha, and sent a man with orders to behead the prophet. But before his arrival, the Lord forewarned Elisha of the king’s intentions, so that the matter could be clearly set before the leaders of the land.

Son of a murderer. Ahab, the father of Joram, was guilty not only of the blood of Naboth but also of the prophets who were slain by Jezebel with his full consent. Even his faithful servant Obadiah feared that he would be put to death by Ahab when told to go to him with a message concerning Elijah (1 Kings 18:9). Joram, the son of a murderer, possessed the same evil traits as his father.

Hath sent. The executioner was already on his way, but Elisha showed no concern. He was a prophet of the Lord and knew that his life was in the hands of God and not at the mercy of evil men.

Hold him fast at the door. Literally, “Press him back with [or at] the door.” That is, close the door and hold it fast against him that he may not enter. The prophet had done nothing worthy of death and had not been convicted of any crime. As the messenger of Heaven he had a perfect right to give the instructions he did, even though they countermanded the orders of the king. It is the responsibility of rulers to protect, not persecute, the upright, law-abiding citizen. Murder is as wrong for a king as for any ordinary individual within the realm.

Behind him. Following close upon the heels of the would-be executioner came the king, to see whether or not his orders had been carried out.

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Cross References

the elders

ere the messenger

See ye how