2 Kings 13:16
And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands. And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands.
The hand upon the bow belongs to the final counsel and encouragement given to King Joash before death, marking the closing work of a faithful ministry. As Joash took hold of the bow, Elisha placed his own hands over the king's hands. That covering of the king's hands was a prophetic act marking God's guidance in what was being done. It introduced God's promised deliverance from Syria through the arrow Joash was about to shoot.
The moment tested Joash's faith and gave him opportunity to act with God's help. The deliverance promised required him to act with energy and perseverance, and the opportunity offered was to put his kingdom in a stronger position. His later halfhearted striking of the ground showed a limited response that would bring only limited victory. In giving this counsel Elisha himself advanced by faith when the way seemed closed, remaining confident in God's power, and God honored that confidence by opening the way.