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2 Kings 2:17

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 2:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
2 Kings 2:17 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is Jehovah, the God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they were divided hither and thither; and Elisha went over.
15And when the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho over against him saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
16And they said unto him, Behold now, there are with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master, lest the Spirit of Jehovah hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
17And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
18And they came back to him, while he tarried at Jericho; and he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
19And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, we pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is bad, and the land miscarrieth.
20And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when they urged him until he was ashamed, etc.] To deny them any longer, being so very pressing and importunate: he said, send; lest they should think he had not the respect for his master he should have had; or was so fond of his office, that he did not choose he should be found alive if he could, and return and reassume it: they sent therefore fifty men; some one way, and some another: and they sought three days, but found him not; and then returned.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Till he was ashamed - i. e. to refuse them any longer. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Was ashamed - That is, to deny them any longer, lest they should think his denial proceeded from a neglect of his master, or a contempt of them. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 2:19”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they urged: Sa2 18:22, Sa2 18:23; Luk 11:8; Rom 10:2 found him not: Heb 11:5 4 Kings (2 Kings) 2:19”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification