Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Kings 3:14-16a (New Living Translation)

14 Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, I wouldn’t even bother with you except for my respect for King Jehoshaphat of Judah. 15 Now bring me someone who can play the harp.”

While the harp was being played, the power of the Lord came upon Elisha, 16 and he said, “This is what the Lord says:…

God is about to speak to King Joram of Israel through the prophet Elisha. Elisha, however, couldn’t prophecy, so he asks for some harp music.

This is one instance, so I hesitate to draw a universal conclusion that prophecy comes with music. Still, we have it here—Elisha couldn’t speak for God without some harp music.

I don’t know what kind of “music” this music was, but it helped Elisah.