2 Kings 6:8-23

International Children’s Bible

Elisha and the Blinded Arameans

⁸ The king of Aram was at war with Israel. He had a council meeting with his officers. He said, “I will set up my camp in this place.”

⁹ But Elisha sent a message to the king of Israel. It said, “Be careful! Don’t pass that place. The Arameans are going down there!”

¹⁰ The king of Israel checked the place about which Elisha had warned him. Elisha warned him several times. So the king added guards in those places.

¹¹ The king of Aram was angry about this. He called his officers together. He said to them, “Tell me who of us is working for the king of Israel.”

¹² One of the officers of the king of Aram said, “No, my master and king. It’s Elisha, the prophet from Israel. He can tell you what you speak in your bedroom.”

¹³ The king said, “Go and find him. Then I can send men and catch him.”

The servants came back and reported, “He is in Dothan.”

¹⁴ Then the king sent horses, chariots and a large army to Dothan. They arrived at night and surrounded the city.

¹⁵ The servant of Elisha got up early. When he went out, he saw an army with horses and chariots all around the city. The servant said to Elisha, “Oh, my master, what can we do?”

¹⁶ Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid. The army that fights for us is larger than the one against us.”

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

The Lord opened the eyes of the young man. And he saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

¹⁸ As the enemy came down toward Elisha, he prayed to the Lord. He said, “Make these people blind.” So the Lord made the Aramean army blind, as Elisha had asked.

¹⁹ Elisha said to them, “This is not the right road. This is not the right city. Follow me. I’ll take you to the man you are looking for.” Then Elisha led them to Samaria.

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 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 kill people whom you captured with your sword and bow. Give them food and water. And let them eat and drink. Then let them go home to their master.” ²³ So he prepared a great feast for the Aramean army. They ate and drank. Then the king sent them away. They went home to their master. The soldiers of Aram did not come anymore into the land of Israel.