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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 6:13-23

Here is, 1. The great force which the king of Syria sent to seize Elisha. He found out where he was, at Dothan (2 Kgs. 6:13), which was not far from Samaria; thither he sent a great host, who were to come upon him by night, and to bring him dead or alive, 2 Kgs. 6:14. Perhaps he had heard that when only one captain and his fifty men were sent to take Elijah they were baffled in the attempt, and therefore he sent an army against Elisha, as if the fire from heaven that consumed fifty men could... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 6:19

And Elisha said unto them, this is not the way, neither is this the city ,.... Which is an answer to some questions of the Syrians; as, whether this was the way to find the prophet Elisha, and this the city in which he was to be found? and he answers most truly, though ambiguously, that the way they were in, and in which should they proceed, was not the way, nor this the city, in which he was to be found, because he was come out of it, and was going to Samaria: follow me, and I will bring... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 6:20

And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see ,.... So as to know where they were: and the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw, and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria ; the gates being thrown open for them, and they led into the very heart of the city; for, no doubt, Elisha sent his servant before, to acquaint the king of Israel with what he was doing; who got a sufficient number of armed men to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 6:21

And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them ,.... The Syrian army thus in his hands: my father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them ? he speaks with great reverence and respect to the prophet, whom at other times he neglected and despised; and the repetition of his words shows the eagerness of his mind to fall upon his enemy when they where at a disadvantage. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 6:22

And he answered, thou shalt not smite them ,.... For they were not his, but the prophet's captives, or rather the Lord's: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow ? when soldiers are made prisoners of war, it is contrary to humanity, to the laws of nature and nations, to kill them in cold blood, and much more those who were taken not by his sword and bow, but by the power and providence of God: set bread and water before them, that they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 6:23

And he prepared great provision for them ,.... Or a great feast, as the Targum; so obedient was he to the prophet's orders: and when they had eaten and drank ; and refreshed themselves, which they needed, having marched all night and that morning from place to place: he sent them away ; that is, the king of Israel dismissed them: and they went to their master ; the king of Syria, but without the prophet Elisha they were sent to fetch: so the bands of Syria came no more into... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 6:19

I will bring you to the man whom ye seek - And he did so; he was their guide to Samaria, and showed himself to them fully in that city. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 6:20

Open the eyes of these men - Take away their confusion of vision, that they may discern things as they are, and distinguish where they are. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 6:21

My father , shall I smite - This was dastardly; the utmost he could have done with these men, when thus brought into his hand, was to make them prisoners of war. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 6:22

Whom thou hast taken captive - Those who in open battle either lay down their arms, or are surrounded, and have their retreat cut off, are entitled to their lives, much more those who are thus providentially put into thy hand, without having been in actual hostility against thee. Give them meat and drink, and send them home to their master, and let them thus know that thou fearest him not, and art incapable of doing an ungenerous or unmanly action. read more

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