And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.
Ver. 20. And Elisha died.] Accisis corporeis viribus gloriosam exhalavit animam. Elisha was one of those few that lived and died with honour.
And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land.] Here that of Hosea, Hosea 13:1, was fulfilled: "When Ephraim spake, there was trembling, and he exalted himself in Israel: but when he offended in Baal, he died." Before, none durst budge against the name of Ephraim; but after Baal, every paltry adversary trampled upon him as a dead man. Howbeit, for their comfort and confirmation, here is a dead man raised by touching the dead body of Elisha, who had so lately promised them good success against the Syrian: "Thy dead men shall live: together with my dead body shall they arise: awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust." Isa 26:19 The Hebrews a tell us that Amoz, the father of Isaiah the prophet, and brother of king Ahaziah, was present at Elisha's death, and that the man raised by the touch of his body suddenly fell down dead again. But it is more likely, say expositors, that he lived and went to the king with his bearers as witnesses of this very great miracle, that he might be the better encouraged to go against the Syrians, as soon after he did.
a Sedar Olam.