2 Kings 6:21

21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?”

2 Kings 6:21 in Other Translations

21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?

21 As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, "My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?"

21 When the king of Israel saw them, he shouted to Elisha, “My father, should I kill them? Should I kill them?”

21 When the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, "Father, shall I massacre the lot?"

21 When the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, "My father, should I kill them? I will kill them."

2 Kings 6:21 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 6:21

And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them,
&c.] The Syrian army thus in his hands:

my father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?
he speaks with great reverence and respect to the prophet, whom at other times he neglected and despised; and the repetition of his words shows the eagerness of his mind to fall upon his enemy when they where at a disadvantage.

2 Kings 6:21 In-Context

19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.

20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “LORD, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the LORD opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.

21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?”

22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.”

23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

Cross References

• 1. S 2 Kings 5:13