 |
|
     |
|
|
|
Dothan is mentioned in only two places in the Old Testament: Gen 37, at the beginning of the Joseph narrative, and 2 Kings 6, the place where the Aramean king attempts to find Elisha. Jacob sends Joseph to take food to his brothers, and he initially does not find them at Shechem where he expected to meet them (Gen 37:13-15). A man told him that Joseph should search for them in Dothan instead (Gen 37:17), and it was at Dothan that his brothers stripped him of his robe and sold him into slavery.
In 2 Kings, Dothan has an intriguingly similar role: The Aramean king is upset that Elisha is revealing the movements of his troops, and so he sends servants to search out the prophet. He is told "Behold, he is in Dothan" (2 Kings 6:13; cf. Gen. 37:17). Elisha escapes the troops of Arameans sent to capture him, and instead takes them to Samaria where he orders Jehoram to feed them. In the next chapter, Elisha again provides food for a king who is trying to kill him - food during a severe famine.
Elisha is a new Joseph: Attacked by his brothers (as well as by Gentiles), he responds by giving bread and water to his persecutors. He heaps coals of fire on their heads. This is a move above and beyond the ministry of Elijah, who provided bread to the widow of Zarephath who honored him. And it appears to be an advance beyond the early part of Elisha's ministry. Early on, Elisha provides bread and water mainly (not exclusivel; cf. 2 Kgs 3) to the sons of the prophets. Here, though, Elisha gives bread to those who oppose him, not only to his own circle. He is a son of his heavenly father, who sends rain on the just and the unjust.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Thursday, October 27, 2005 at 03:56 PM
Permission is given to use material on this site, provided the source is cited, blog entries are republished in full, and the author is notified in advance.
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
