2 Kings 6:21

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?)

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 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.)

23 And much preparing of meats was set forth to them; and they ate, and drank. And the king let go them, and they went to their lord; and [the] thieves of Syria came no more into the land of Israel (And then the king let them go, and they went back to their lord; and after that, the thieves of Syria no longer came into the land of Israel).