# The king sent a man from before him

"To be before the king" means to be one of his servants. AT: "The king of Israel sent one of his servants as a messenger" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

# when the messenger came to Elisha, he said to the elders

Here Elisha is speaking to the elders right before the king's messenger arrived. AT: "when the messenger had almost arrived, Elisha said to the elders" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

# See how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head?

Elisha uses this rhetorical question to draw attention to the kings messenger and to insult the king. This can be written as a statement. AT: "See, this son of a murderer has sent someone to remove my head!" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

# son of a murderer

This means that the king of Israel has the characteristics of a murderer. AT: "this man who is like a murderer" or "that murderer" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

# has sent to

It is understood that he sent a person. AT: "has sent someone to" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])

# to take away my head

This means to behead him. AT: "to cut off my head" or "to behead me" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])

# Look

Elisha uses this word here to draw the elder's attention to what he says next. AT: "Listen"

# hold the door shut against him

If a door is shut against someone it means that it is closed and that they may not enter through it. AT: "hold the door shut so that he cannot come in" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

# Is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?

Elisha uses this question to assure the elders that the king is coming not far behind him. This rhetorical question may be written as a statement. AT: "The sound of his master's feet is right behind him." or "The king will be coming along soon after he arrives." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

# behold, the messenger

The word "behold" alerts us to the arrival of the messenger.

# the messenger came down to him

The messenger arrived, and so did the king, as Elisha had said he would. The phrase "came down to him" means that they arrived at the place where he was. AT: "the messenger and the king arrived" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

# Behold, this trouble

"Indeed, this trouble." The word "behold" here adds emphasis to what follows. The phrase "this trouble" refers to the famine in Samaria and the suffering it caused.

# Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?

This king use this rhetorical question to emphasize that he does not believe that Yahweh is going to help them. This can be written as a statement. AT: "Why should I continue to wait for Yahweh to help us?" or "I will not wait any longer for help from Yahweh!" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])