2 Kings 6:8-23

Expanded Bible

Elisha and the Blinded Arameans

⁸ The king of Aram was at war with Israel. He ·had [would have] a council meeting with his officers and ·said [say], “I will set up my camp in ·this [such and such a] place.”

⁹ Elisha, the man of God, ·sent [would send] a message to the king of Israel, saying, “·Be careful [Beware]! Don’t pass that place, because the Arameans are going ·down [to attack/gather] there!”

¹⁰ The king of Israel ·checked [would send word to] the place about which Elisha had warned him. Elisha warned him several times, so the king ·protected himself [was on his guard] there.

¹¹ The king of Aram was ·angry [greatly disturbed] about this. He called his officers together and demanded, “Tell me who of us is ·working for [siding with; ^Che suspects a traitor] the king of Israel.”

¹² One of the officers said, “No one, my ·master [lord] and king. It’s Elisha, the prophet from Israel. He can tell ·you [^Lthe king of Israel] what you speak in your bedroom.”

¹³ The king said, “Go and find him so I can send men and ·catch [capture; seize] him.”

The report came back, “He is in Dothan.”

¹⁴ Then the king sent horses, chariots, and many troops to Dothan. They arrived at night and surrounded the city.

¹⁵ ·Elisha’s [^LThe man of God’s] servant got up early, and when he went out, he saw an army with horses and chariots all around the city. The servant said to Elisha, “·Oh no [^TAlas], my ·master [lord], what ·can [will] we do?”

¹⁶ Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid. ·The army that fights for us is larger than the one against us [^LThose with us are more than those with them].”

¹⁷ Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, open my servant’s eyes, and let him see.”

The Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the ·mountain [hillside] was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

¹⁸ As the enemy came down toward Elisha, he prayed to the Lord, “·Make [Strike] these people blind.” So he made the Aramean army blind, ·as Elisha had asked [^Lin accordance with the word of Elisha].

¹⁹ Elisha said to them, “This is not the ·right road [way] or the ·right city [city]. Follow me and I’ll take you to the man you are looking for.” Then Elisha led them to Samaria [^Cthe city, not the region].

²⁰ After they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “Lord, open these men’s eyes so they can see.” So the Lord opened their eyes, and the Aramean army saw that they were inside the city of Samaria!

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

²² Elisha answered, “Don’t kill them. ·You wouldn’t [^LWould you…?] kill people whom you captured with your sword and bow. Give them food and water, and let them eat and drink and then go home to their ·master [lord].” ²³ So he prepared a great feast for the Aramean army. After they ate and drank, the king sent them away, and they went home to their ·master [lord]. The ·soldiers [raiders] of Aram did not come anymore into the land of Israel.