2 Kings 6:8-23

The Arameans Plot to Capture Elisha

8 Now the king of Aram was warring against Israel; and he counseled with his servants saying, "In such and such a place shall be my camp."
9 1The man of God sent word to the king of Israel saying, "Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Arameans are coming down there."
10 The king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God had told him; thus he warned him, so that he guarded himself there, more than once or twice.
11 Now the heart of the king of Aram was enraged over this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, "Will you tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?"
12 One of his servants said, "No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom *."
13 So he said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him." And it was told him, saying, "Behold, he is in 2Dothan."
14 He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"
16 So he answered, "3Do not fear, for 4those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
17 Then Elisha prayed and said, "5O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of 6horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
18 When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, "Strike this people with blindness, I pray." So He 7struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
19 Then Elisha said to them, "This is not the way, nor is this the city; follow * me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek." And he brought them to Samaria.
20 When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, "O 8LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see." So the LORD opened their eyes and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
21 Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, "9My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?"
22 He answered, "You shall not kill them. Would you 10kill those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? 11Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master."
23 So he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And 12the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again * into the land of Israel.

Cross References 12

  • 1. 2 Kings 4:1, 7; 2 Kings 6:12
  • 2. Genesis 37:17
  • 3. Exodus 14:13
  • 4. 2 Chronicles 32:7, 8; Romans 8:31
  • 5. 2 Kings 6:20
  • 6. 2 Kings 2:11; Psalms 68:17; Zechariah 6:1-7
  • 7. Genesis 19:11
  • 8. 2 Kings 6:17
  • 9. 2 Kings 2:12; 2 Kings 5:13; 2 Kings 8:9
  • 10. Deuteronomy 20:11-16; 2 Chronicles 28:8-15
  • 11. Romans 12:20
  • 12. 2 Kings 5:2; 2 Kings 24:2

Footnotes 10

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