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 The 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 e ."
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 Dothan ." 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 , " Do not fear , for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 Then Elisha prayed and said , " O 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 horses 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 struck 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 e 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 Lord , 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 , " My father , shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?" 22 He answered , "You shall not kill them. Would you kill those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow ? Set 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 the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again e into the land of Israel .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 6:8-23
Commentary on 2 Kings 6:8-12
(Read 2 Kings 6:8-12)
The king of Israel regarded the warnings Elisha gave him, of danger from the Syrians, but would not heed the warnings of danger from his sins. Such warnings are little heeded by most; they would save themselves from death, but will not from hell. Nothing that is done, said, or thought, by any person, in any place, at any time, is out of God's knowledge.
Commentary on 2 Kings 6:13-23
(Read 2 Kings 6:13-23)
What Elisha said to his servant is spoken to all the faithful servants of God, when without are fightings, and within are fears. Fear not, with that fear which has torment and amazement; for they that are with us, to protect us, are more than they that are against us, to destroy us. The eyes of his body were open, and with them he saw the danger. Lord, open the eyes of our faith, that with them we may see thy protecting hand. The clearer sight we have of the sovereignty and power of Heaven, the less we shall fear the troubles of earth. Satan, the god of this world, blinds men's eyes, and so deludes them unto their own ruin; but when God enlightens their eyes, they see themselves in the midst of their enemies, captives to Satan, and in danger of hell, though, before, they thought their condition good. When Elisha had the Syrians at his mercy, he made it appear that he was influenced by Divine goodness as well as Divine power. Let us not be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. The Syrians saw it was to no purpose to try to assault so great and so good a man.