What is the meaning of 2 Kings 6:21? And when the king of Israel saw them • The “them” are the blinded Aramean soldiers whom Elisha has just led straight into Samaria (2 Kings 6:18-20). • Suddenly confronted with a helpless enemy force, King Jehoram is caught off guard. Similar surprise victories appear in Exodus 14:24-25 and 2 Chronicles 20:22-23, where the LORD intervenes supernaturally. • The scene proves—literally—that God can flip any battle in an instant, fulfilling promises like Deuteronomy 20:4: “For the LORD your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory”. he asked Elisha • The king pauses before acting, recognizing that the prophet—not the throne—has God’s word for the moment. • Seeking divine counsel first echoes 1 Kings 22:5, where Jehoshaphat insists, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD”. • His inquiry also contrasts with Saul’s impulsiveness in 1 Samuel 14:24-32, highlighting the blessing that comes when leaders wait for God’s directive. “My father” • The title shows deep respect and dependence. Prophets were often called “father” as spiritual mentors (cf. 2 Kings 2:12; 13:14). • Jehoram’s deference underscores that real authority comes from God, not military might—mirroring Elisha’s earlier guidance to save Israel’s army in 2 Kings 3:14-18. shall I kill them? • The king’s instinct is immediate judgment. In wartime culture, executing captives seemed logical; see Judges 8:18-21. • Yet he pauses, seeking divine sanction. Proverbs 16:32 reminds us, “Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior”. • His question spotlights the tension between justice and mercy—a theme later elevated by Jesus in Matthew 5:44. Shall I kill them? • Repetition reveals urgency and uncertainty. The doubled plea parallels Peter’s thrice-asked question in John 21:15-17; hearts often repeat what burdens them most. • By asking twice, Jehoram submits entirely to the prophet’s verdict, preparing the ground for Elisha’s unexpected command to feed the captives (2 Kings 6:22-23). • Romans 12:20 echoes that directive—“If your enemy is hungry, feed him”—showing a timeless principle: God’s kindness can disarm hostility more powerfully than the sword. summary Elisha leads a blinded enemy into Israel’s capital, and King Jehoram instinctively seeks permission to execute them. His repeated question, framed with the respectful “My father,” displays both urgency and submission to God’s word. Scripture affirms—literally—that true victory and moral guidance come from the LORD, who often overturns human instincts of vengeance with commands of mercy. |
    |