Interpretation / commentary on
II Kings 13: 14 - 21 (Mordechai
Cogan, Anchor Bible Volume 11)
The narrative is the
testament of a dying man
of God, prophesying future
victory for Israel (Northern
Kingdom). Similar predictive
testaments are reported in
the early histories of Isaac
(Genesis 27:27 - 29); Jacob
(Genesis 49: 1 - 28); and
Moses (Deuteronomy 33).
Although the story is part of
the Elisha Cycle, one might
speculate upon the unmentioned
background of Joash's visit.
Prophets were regularly consulted
prior to the departure of the army
to battle (see I Kings 22);
Elisha even accompanied Jehoram
on his Moabite campaign (II Kings
3:11). Might not Joash have
sought the advice of the dying Elisha,
just as Israel was setting out to attack
Aram? . . . A wonder story was added
to the prophetic tale of Elisha's
death and burial. Not only was Elisha
endowed with restorative powers
during his lifetime (II Kings 4: 8 - 37)
but these powers extended beyond
his death and into the grave. Thus
the Elisha Cycle is closed; it opens
with a tale about his deadly curse
(II Kings 2: 23 - 25) and ends with
one about life-giving contact with
his bones.
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