II Kings 06 Elisha divines the counsel of the king of Syria

 II Kings 06

Elisha divines the counsel of the king of Syria

8 Now the king of Syria was at war with Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, "My encampment will be at such and such a place."

9 But the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, "Beware that you do not pass by such and such a place, for the Syrians have come down there."

10 So the king of Israel sent to the place of which the man of God had spoken to him, and had warned him, and he kept himself there, not once or twice.

11 Then the heart of the king of Syria was troubled because of this incident, and he called his servants and said to them, "Will you not tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?"

12 And one of his servants said, "No, my lord, O king; but Elisha the prophet, who is in Israel, has told the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.

13 And he said, Go and see where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And they told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.

14 And he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night, and compassed the city about.

15 And the servant of the man of God rose up early and went out, and, behold, an army with horses and chariots compassed the city. And his servant said to him, Alas, my lord! what shall we do?

16 And he said, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw; and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 

18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, Smite these people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha. 

19 And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, nor this the city: follow me, and I will lead you to the man whom ye seek. And he led them to Samaria. 

20 And it came to pass, when they came to Samaria, that Elisha said, O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, that they might see; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 

21 And when the king of Israel saw them, he said unto Elisha, Shall I smite them, shall I smite them, my father? 

22 But he said, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldst thou smite them whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.

23 And he made them a great feast, and they ate and drank. And he sent them away, and they went to their master. And no more bands of Syrians came into the land of Israel.