2 Kings 6:31

“Then he said, God do so and more also to me, etc.] He swore and made dreadful imprecations: if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day; imputing the sore famine to him, because he had foretold it, and did not pray for the removal of it, as he might; and perhaps had advised and encouraged the king to hold out the siege, which had brought them to this extremity, and therefore was enraged at him.”

“God do so ... - Jehoram uses almost the very words of his wicked mother, when she sought the life of Elijah (marginal reference). The head of Elisha - Beheading was not an ordinary Jewish punishment. The Law did not sanction it. But in Assyria, Babylonia, and generally through the East, it was the most conmon form of capital punishment. It is not quite clear why Elisha was to be punished. Perhaps Jehoram argued from his other miracles that he could give deliverance from the present peril, if he liked. return to 'Top of Page'”

“God do so, &c. - Because he had encouraged them to withstand the Syrians, by promising them help from God. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 6:32”

“6:31 separate Elisha’s head from his shoulders: Decapitation of one’s enemy was frequent (10:6-8; 1 Sam 17:51; 31:9; 2 Sam 4:7-8, 12; 20:22; Matt 14:11) in the ancient Near East. Joram reasoned that the situation stemmed from Elisha’s earlier sparing of Ben-hadad’s troops (2 Kgs 6:22-23). Moreover, Ben-hadad had been after Elisha (6:13), so the prophet’s presence had endangered the whole city.”

“God do so: Rut 1:17; Sa1 3:17, Sa1 14:44, Sa1 25:22; Sa2 3:9, Sa2 3:35, Sa2 19:13; Kg1 2:23 if the head: Kg1 18:17, Kg1 19:2, Kg1 22:8; Jer 37:15, Jer 37:16, Jer 38:4; Joh 11:50; Act 23:12, Act 23:13 4 Kings (2 Kings) 6:32”