Then he said. — And he (i.e., the king), said.
God do so... to me. — Literally, So may God do to me, and so may he add: a common form of oath. (Comp. Ruth 1:17; 1 Samuel 3:17; 1 Kings 2:23.)
If the head of Elisha... this day. — The king’s horror at the woman’s dreadful story is succeeded by indignation against Elisha, who had probably counselled an unyielding resistance to the foe, in the steadfast faith that Jehovah would help His own; and who, prophet though he was, and endued with miraculous powers, had yet brought no help in this hour of urgent need. (Comp. with the oath that of Jezebel against Elijah, 1 Kings 19:2.)