Bible Strands
2 Kings 5:7
When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper? Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me!”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The king of Israel speaks to his court after reading a letter from the Aramean monarch requesting a cure for Naaman’s leprosy. He responds by tearing his garments and voicing his disbelief at the implied demand.
The words — The Hebrew וַ/יִּקְרַ֣ע (va/i.yik.Ra') means "and he tore," describing the king’s physical act of rending his clothes. The phrase כִּ/קְרֹא֩ (ki/k.Ro') translates to "when he read," pinpointing the exact moment the written request triggered his reaction.
The thread — The king’s rhetorical question about authority over life and death parallels the Lord’s exclusive power in 1 Samuel 2:6. His accusation that the sender "is seeking a quarrel" directly echoes the king of Israel’s own warning to the elders in 1 Kings 20:7.
Why it lands — The text records the king’s literal rejection of the request and his accusation of political hostility before any prophetic intervention occurs. The reader must confront the gap between the king’s political fear and the divine authority that Elisha will soon demonstrate.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 2:6 The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.
- Genesis 30:2 Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”
- 1 Kings 20:7 Then the king of Israel summoned all the elders of the land and said, “Please take note and see that this man is looking for trouble, for when he demanded my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold, I did not deny him.”
- Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.
- Daniel 2:11 What the king requests is so difficult that no one can tell it to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.”
- Hosea 6:1 Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.
- Luke 11:54 waiting to catch Him in something He might say.
- Numbers 14:6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes
- Deuteronomy 32:29 If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.
- 2 Kings 11:14 And she looked out and saw the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!”