The divided kingdom · 2 Kings 6
The Chariots of Fire at Dothan
The king of Syria, at war with Israel, finds that Elisha keeps revealing his plans to the king of Israel. Furious, he learns that the prophet is in Dothan and sends horses, chariots, and a great army there by night to surround the city. In the morning, Elisha’s servant panics: “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” The prophet answers: “Fear not, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” He prays: “LORD, open his eyes.” The servant sees the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire. Elisha strikes the Syrians with blindness and leads them to Samaria. There he asks that they be given bread and water; a great feast is set before them, and then they are sent home. The Syrian raiding parties never again come into the land of Israel.
What happens
- Elisha warns the king of Israel about the Syrian army’s camps 2 Kings 6:9
- The king of Syria sends horses and chariots by night to surround Dothan 2 Kings 6:13–14
- “Fear not, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” 2 Kings 6:15–16
- The LORD opens the servant’s eyes: horses and chariots of fire 2 Kings 6:17
- The Syrians, struck with blindness, are led to Samaria 2 Kings 6:18–20
- A great feast, then the Syrians are sent home 2 Kings 6:22–23
Who is in this story
The lesson
What we can see does not tell the whole story: around the believer stands God’s army, greater than any enemy. The LORD opens the eyes of faith, and he also conquers through kindness, since Elisha feeds his enemies instead of striking them down.
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
Quick quiz on this story
What does Elisha’s servant see when the LORD opens his eyes?
The LORD opens the servant’s eyes, and he sees “the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17
What does Elisha say to reassure his panicked servant?
Elisha answers: “Fear not: for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16
Where does Elisha lead the blinded Syrians?
Elisha tells them, “Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” He leads them to Samaria, where the LORD opens their eyes. 2 Kings 6:19–20
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