“Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” 2 Kings 6:16,17
Ministries of national import: 6:8-8:15. In the period of conflict with Aramea, Elisha plays a vital role. He often warns the king of Israel of Benhadad’s plans. FinallyBenhadad sends a raiding party to take Elisha. Instead, the party is deluded and led to Samaria.
Later, Samaria is besieged by Benhadad, and its people begin to starve. The king of Israel sees this disaster as God’s work but does not repent (6:33).
33 And while he was still talking with them, there was the messenger, coming down to him; and then the king said, “Surely this calamity is from the Lord; why should I wait for the Lord any longer?”
Instead he determines to kill Elisha in revenge! But the stunned king hears Elisha promise that the next day God will lift the siege and flood the city with food. That night, the enemy army is stricken with terror. The men flee mindlessly, leaving food, riches, horses and mules behind. The prophet’s words have come true.
Elisha and the Syrians (Chapter Summary)
Elisha causes a lost ahead to float, showing Israel God’s compassion for the individual. God also cares for the nation. Elisha continually advises the King of Israel of Syria’s military plans. The furious King of Syria sends an expedition to capture Elisha. Elisha is granted divine protection, and leads the enemy corps into Israel’s capital city itself. There the stunned Syrians are fed, and sent home. Later, hostilities resume, and Samaria is under siege. The population is reduced to eating scraps and even too cannibalism. The despairing king of Israel decides to strike out at God by executing Elisha. Elisha pledges that despite the king’s lack of faith, the next day the finest of foods will be sold cheaply in the starving city. The pledge is kept when the Syrians hear a nonexistent army rushing down on them, panic, and abandon their camp with all its supplies. Thus in private and in very public ways, Elisha continues to demonstrate to Israel that the Lord is God, and that faith in Him is not foolishness, but wisdom.
15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city 
with horses and chariots. 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 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. 19 Now Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” But he led them to Samaria.
21 Now when the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” 22 But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.”
30 Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes; and as he passed by on the wall, the people looked, and there underneath he had sackcloth on his body. 31 Then he said, “God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat remains on him today.”
33 And while he was still talking with them, there was the messenger, coming down to him; and then the king said, “Surely this calamity is from the Lord; why should I wait for the Lord any longer?”
Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’ 2 Kings 7:1
