But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.
All Commentaries on 2 Kings 3:15 Go To 2 Kings 3
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Minstrel. The priests and Levites, who officiated in the temple, accompanied the army. Eliseus wants no profane music, (Calmet) but, by this request, shows his respect for the true religion, (Haydock) and by sounding forth the divine praises, in some of David's psalms, wishes to obtain of God the favour which was desired. (Theodoret) (Menochius)
He had felt some emotion at the sight of Joram, and was sensible that God required a calm. (Calmet)
He dwells not in a violent wind, 3 Kings xix. 11. (Haydock)
The surprising effects of ancient music to calm the passions are well attested, 1 Kings xvi. 17. By this means St. Francis was raised to the contemplation of heavenly things; and St. Augustine says of himself: "How I wept when I heard thy hymns and canticles, being greatly moved at the delightful harmony of thy church: "suavesonantis Ecclesiæ tuæ vocibus commotus acriter. (Conf. ix. 6. de C. xiv. 24.)
Upon him, so that he experienced that enthusiasm which showed that he was actuated by the divine spirit, to speak with all the authority requisite. The pagans strove to imitate the true prophets, but the difference was very evident; no less than the spirit with which they were filled; the former were agitated in a furious manner; the latter were composed and majestic. (Calmet)
