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2 Kings 2:18

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 2:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they came back to him, while he tarried at Jericho; and he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they came back to him, while he tarried at Jericho; and he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
2 Kings 2:18 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
21And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast salt therein, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or miscarrying.
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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 came again to him, for he tarried at Jericho, etc.] Waiting their return to hear the report they made: which when they had, he said unto them, did I not say unto you, go not? assuring them it would be fruitless, and to no purpose; though this search of theirs served both to confirm the assumption of Elijah, and the truth of Elisha being a prophet of the Lord.”
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Sources and verification