2 Kings 2:19
And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren. And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
Jericho stood in a pleasant and attractive situation, yet its water was bad and its ground barren and unfruitful. The trouble lay in the city's spring, which had once supplied pure, life-giving water but had become polluted and unfit for use.
In its polluted condition the spring brought blight and death upon what it touched, while its healing brought life and blessing in place of curse. The spring and its healing carry a spiritual lesson for God's people, who like salt are to be agents through whom others receive saving grace.