2 Kings 6:12-22

12 And one of his servants said, Nay, my lord the king, but Elisha, the prophet, that is in Israel (who is in Israel), showeth to the king of Israel all things, whatever things thou speakest in thy closet.
13 And the king said to them, Go ye, and see, where he is, that I send, and take him. And they told to him, and said, Lo! he dwelleth in Dothan.
14 And the king sent thither horses, and chariots, and the strength of his host; which, when they had come by night, compassed the city. (And the king sent there horses, and chariots, and the strong force of his army; which, when they had come by night, encompassed, or surrounded, the city.)
15 Soothly the minister of the man of God rose early, and went out, and he saw an host in the compass of the city, and horses, and chariots (And the servant of the man of God rose up early, and went out, and he saw an army all around the city, with horses, and chariots). And he told to the man of God, and said, Alas! alas! alas! my lord, what shall we do?
16 And he answered, Do not thou dread (Do not thou fear); for more be with us than with them.
17 And when Elisha had prayed, he said, Lord, open thou the eyes of this young man, that he (may) see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And, lo! the hill (was) full of horses, and of chariots of fire, in the compass of Elisha (all around Elisha).
18 And the enemies came down to him; but Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, I beseech thee, smite this folk with blindness (I beseech thee, strike these people with blindness). And the Lord smote them, (so) that they saw not, by the word of Elisha.
19 Forsooth Elisha said to them, This is not the way, neither this is the city; follow ye me, and I shall show you the man, whom ye seek. And he led them into Samaria.
20 And when they had entered into Samaria, Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men, (so) that they (can) see now. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw, that they were in the midst of Samaria.
21 And the king of Israel, when he had seen them, said to Elisha, My father, whether I shall smite them? (My father, shall I strike them down?)
22 And he said, Thou shalt not smite them, for thou hast not taken them by thy sword and bow, that thou smite them; but set thou bread and water before them, that they eat and drink, and go to their lord again. (And he said, Thou shalt not strike them down, for thou hast not taken them with thy sword and bow, so that thou may strike them down; but put thou bread and water before them, so that they can eat and drink, and then let them go back to their lord again.)

2 Kings 6:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 6

In this chapter are recorded other wonders of Elisha, as causing iron to swim, 2Ki 6:1-7 having knowledge of the secret counsels of the king of Syria, which he disclosed to the king of Israel, 2Ki 6:8-12 smiting the Syrian army with blindness sent to take him, and which he led into the midst of Samaria, 2Ki 6:13-23, and the chapter is closed with an account of the siege of Samaria, and a sore famine in it, 2Ki 6:24-33.

Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.