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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 6:22

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 6:22

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 6:23

He prepared great provision for them - These, on the return to their master, could tell him strange things about the power of the God of Israel, and the magnanimity of its king. So the bands of Syria came no more - Marauding parties were no more permitted by the Syrian king to make inroads upon Israel. And it is very likely that for some considerable time after this, there was no war between these two nations. What is mentioned in the next verse was more than a... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 6:17-23

Eyes closed, and eyes opened. I. EYES CLOSED . 1. The young man ' s eyes were closed . Me did not see the horses and chariots of fire that were round about Elisha. He did not realize that deliverance was at hand. How many like him are blind to the power of God, to the providences of God! How many are quick to see anything that concerns their temporal advantage, but slow to see that which concerns their immortal souls! How many see no beauty in Christ! 2. The Syrians '... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 6:22

And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them. The prophet has no doubt. His prohibition is absolute. These prisoners, at any rate, are not to be slain. "The object of the miracle," as Keil says, "would have been frustrated, if the Syrians had been slain. For the intention was to show the Syrians that they had to do with a prophet of the true God, against whom no human power could be of any avail, that they might learn to fear the Almighty God ". There was also, perhaps, a further political... read more

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