2 Kings 6:8-15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 6:8

The king of Syria warred against Israel - This was probably the same Ben-hadad who is mentioned 2 Kings 6:24 . What was the real or pretended cause of this war we cannot tell; but we may say, in numberless war cases, as Calmet says in this: "An ambitious and restless prince always finds a sufficiency of reasons to color his enterprises." In such and such a place - The Syrian king had observed, from the disposition of the Israelitish army, in what direction it was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 6:9

Beware that thou pass not such a place - Elisha must have had this information by immediate revelation from heaven. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 6:10

Sent to the place - To see if it were so. But the Vulgate gives it quite a different turn: Misit rex Israel ad locum, et praeoccupavit eum . The king of Israel sent previously to the place, and took possession of it; and thus the Syrians were disappointed. This is very likely, though it is not expressed in the Hebrew text. The prophet knew the Syrians marked such a place; he told the king of Israel, and he hastened and sent a party of troops to pre-occupy it; and thus the Syrians... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 6:13

Behold , he is in Dothan - This is supposed to be the same place as that mentioned in Genesis 37:17 . It lay about twelve miles from Samaria. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 6:14

He sent thither horses - It is strange he did not think that he who could penetrate his secrets with respect to the Israelitish army, could inform himself of all his machinations against his own life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 6:8

Then the King of Syria warred against Israel. It may seem strange that, so soon after sending an embassy to the court of Samaria, and asking a favor ( 2 Kings 5:5 , 2 Kings 5:6 ), Benhadad should resume hostilities, especially as the favor had been obtained ( 2 Kings 5:14 ); but the normal relations between the two countries were those of enmity ( 2 Kings 5:2 ), and a few years would suffice to dim the memory of what had happened. The gratitude of kings is proverbially short-lived. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 6:8-16

God's presence with his people. There has been a sudden change in the horizon of Elisha's life. From the quiet work of cutting down trees and budding a college, he is suddenly called upon to stand a siege from a Syrian army. These changes do come in the lives of most of us. Health suddenly changes into sickness. Friendship suddenly changes into hostility. Wealth suddenly changes into poverty. Such changes will come in the life of the believer and in the history of the Church of God. At one... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 6:8-23

Wicked men vainly attempt to outwit God. Benhadad, after the miracle wrought upon his favorite Naaman, had abundant reason to know that Israel was the people of God, and enjoyed special Divine protection and superintendence. Had he been truly wise, he would have laid aside his hostile designs against the nation, and have made it his endeavor to cultivate friendly relations with them, and, if possible, secure their alliance. But true wisdom is a plant of rare growth, while its counterfeit,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 6:8-23

The King of Syria and Elisha. "Then the King of Syria warred against Israel," etc. In these sixteen verses we have four subjects worth looking into—wickedness thwarted, timidity dispelled, supernatural power manifested, and revenge overcome. I. WICKEDNESS THWARTED . The King of Syria had determined on an enterprise of bloodshed and wickedness. He had made all arrangements, fixed on the place for his camp. "In such and such a place shall be my camp." Bat Elisha thwarted the bloody... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 6:8-23

A bootless invasion. The chronic hostility which subsisted between the Israelitish and the Syrian kingdoms soon broke out again in war. In this, as in other instances, Syria was the aggressor. The invaded kingdom was delivered, not through "the sword and the bow" ( 2 Kings 6:22 ) of its king, but once more through the interposition of Elisha. I. FRUSTRATED PLANS . 1. Royal strategy . The war which the King of Syria commenced was intended to be carried on, not by battle in... read more

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