◄ 2 Kings 6:11 ►
For this reason the king of Aram became enraged and called his servants to demand of them, "Tell me, which one of us is on the side of the king of Israel?"
Study Bible
For this reason the king of Aram became enraged
The king of Aram, likely Ben-Hadad II, was frustrated because his military plans against Israel were being thwarted. This anger reflects the tension between Aram (modern-day Syria) and Israel during this period. The Arameans were a constant threat to Israel, often engaging in border skirmishes and larger conflicts. The king's rage indicates the seriousness of the situation, as his plans were being consistently revealed, undermining his authority and military strategy.

and called his servants to demand of them
The king's servants would have been his trusted advisors and military officers. In ancient Near Eastern courts, such individuals were expected to be loyal and provide counsel. The king's summoning of his servants suggests a crisis of trust and a need to identify the source of the intelligence leak. This reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient monarchies, where the king relied heavily on his inner circle for governance and military operations.

“Tell me, which one of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”
The king's question implies suspicion of espionage or betrayal within his ranks. This reflects the common practice of espionage in ancient warfare, where intelligence was crucial for military success. The phrase "on the side of the king of Israel" suggests a perceived internal threat, highlighting the paranoia and mistrust that can arise in times of conflict. This situation parallels other biblical narratives where internal betrayal is a theme, such as Judas' betrayal of Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16). The king's inability to understand that the prophet Elisha was revealing his plans to the king of Israel underscores the spiritual dimension of the conflict, where divine intervention plays a key role, as seen throughout the biblical narrative.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King of Aram
The ruler of Aram (modern-day Syria), who is frustrated by his military plans being thwarted.

2. Servants of the King of Aram
The king's advisors and military officers who are questioned about the leaks of their plans.

3. Elisha
The prophet of Israel, who, through divine revelation, informs the king of Israel about the Aramean plans.

4. King of Israel
The ruler of Israel, who benefits from Elisha's prophetic insights.

5. Aram
A region and kingdom located in present-day Syria, often in conflict with Israel during this period.
Teaching Points
Divine Insight and Guidance
God provides wisdom and insight to His people, often through His chosen servants, to protect and guide them.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The plans of nations and rulers are subject to God's will. He can intervene in human affairs to accomplish His purposes.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets in the Bible serve as God's mouthpieces, delivering messages that can alter the course of history and protect God's people.

Trust in God's Protection
Believers can trust that God is aware of all circumstances and can provide protection and guidance in times of trouble.

The Importance of Spiritual Discernment
Just as Elisha discerned the plans of the enemy, Christians are called to seek spiritual discernment through prayer and the Holy Spirit.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of Elisha in this passage demonstrate the importance of spiritual leadership in times of crisis?

2. In what ways can we seek God's guidance and protection in our own lives, similar to how the king of Israel benefited from Elisha's insights?

3. How does the concept of God's sovereignty over nations in this passage encourage us to trust in His control over current world events?

4. What are some practical ways we can develop spiritual discernment to recognize God's guidance in our daily decisions?

5. How can the account of Elisha and the king of Aram inspire us to be bold in our faith and trust in God's provision, even when facing opposition?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 6:12
This verse reveals that Elisha is the one who informs the king of Israel about the Aramean plans, highlighting the role of divine revelation.

1 Kings 19:15-16
This passage describes the anointing of Elisha as a prophet, establishing his authority and role in Israel.

Psalm 33:10-11
These verses speak of the Lord's ability to thwart the plans of nations, aligning with how God reveals the Aramean plans to Elisha.

Hebrews 4:13
This verse emphasizes that nothing is hidden from God's sight, paralleling how God reveals hidden plans to Elisha.
Sermons
God's Presence with His PeopleC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 6:8-16
A Bootless InvasionJ. Orr 2 Kings 6:8-23
Elisha At DothanMonday Club Sermons2 Kings 6:8-23
Elisha's DefendersGeorge W. Brown.2 Kings 6:8-23
Elisha's SafeguardJ. Murray.2 Kings 6:8-23
Our AlliesW. Hoyt, D. D.2 Kings 6:8-23
Secure Amid PerilsL. A. Banks, D. D.2 Kings 6:8-23
The Encompassing Defence of the FaithfulJ. G. Greenhough, M. A.2 Kings 6:8-23
The King of Syria and ElishaD. Thomas 2 Kings 6:8-23
Within the Circle of FlameJ. Dunk.2 Kings 6:8-23
People
Aram, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Elisha, Shaphat, Syrians
Places
Dothan, Jordan River, Samaria, Syria
Topics
Aram, Calleth, Clear, Declare, Demanded, Enraged, Greatly, Heart, Helping, Mind, Officers, Servants, Shew, Sore, Summoned, Syria, Tossed, Troubled, Won't
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 6:8-10

     7773   prophets, role

Library
Young Man! a Prayer for You
THIS YOUNG MAN waited upon a prophet: he could not have had a more instructive occupation; yet his eyes needed to be opened. He was well disposed towards good things, for the tone of his language to his master shows that he was heartily at one with him; but his eyes were not yet half opened. Being in great alarm for his master's safety, he ran to him to warn him: good servants should be their master's best friends. In return, his believing master prays for him. If we desire the good of our servants, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Of the Practice of Piety in Fasting.
There are divers kinds of fasting--First, A constrained fast, as when men either have not food to eat, as in the famine of Samaria (2 Kings vi. 25;) or, having food, cannot eat it for heaviness or sickness, as it befel them who were in the ship with St. Paul (Acts xxvii. 33.) This is rather famine than fasting. Secondly, A natural fast, which we undertake physically, for the health of our body. Thirdly, A civil fast, which the magistrate enjoins for the better maintenance of the commonwealth. Fourthly, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Whether a Mann is Bound to Correct his Prelate?
Objection 1: It would seem that no man is bound to correct his prelate. For it is written (Ex. 19:12): "The beast that shall touch the mount shall be stoned," [*Vulg.: 'Everyone that shall touch the mount, dying he shall die.'] and (2 Kings 6:7) it is related that the Lord struck Oza for touching the ark. Now the mount and the ark signify our prelates. Therefore prelates should not be corrected by their subjects. Objection 2: Further, a gloss on Gal. 2:11, "I withstood him to the face," adds: "as …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Administration
God not only created everything, but everything which He created is subject to His immediate control. God rules over the works of His hands. God governs the creatures He has made. God reigns with universal dominion. When He pleased, the sun and moon stood still (Josh. 10:12, 13); and at a word from Him the sun went backward ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz (Is. 38:8). At His command the Red Sea ceased to flow, and at His command it resumed its normal course (Ex. 14). In response to the prayer of Elisha, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Godhood of God

The Christian Convert Warned Of, and Animated against those Discouragements which He must Expect to Meet when Entering on a Religious Course.
1. Christ has instructed his disciples to expect opposition and difficulties in the way to heaven.--2. Therefore a more particular view of them is taken, as arising from the remainder of indwelling sin.--3. From the world, and especially from former sinful companions.--4. From the temptations and suggest ions of Satan.--5, 6. The Christian is animated and encouraged, by various considerations, to oppose them; particularly by the presence of God; the aids of Christ; the example of others, who, though …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God Distinguished by Certain Marks from Fictitious Gods.
1. The mere fact of creation should lead us to acknowledge God, but to prevent our falling away to Gentile fictions, God has been pleased to furnish a history of the creation. An impious objection, Why the world was not created sooner? Answer to it. Shrewd saying of an old man. 2. For the same reason, the world was created, not in an instant, but in six days. The order of creation described, showing that Adam was not created until God had, with infinite goodness made ample provision for him. 3. The …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Helpless State of the Sinner under Condemnation.
1, 2. The sinner urged to consider how he can be saved from this impending ruin.--3. Not by any thing he can offer.--4. Nor by any thing he can endure.--5. Nor by any thing hr can do in the course of future duty.--6-8. Nor by any alliance with fellow-sinners on earth or in hell.--9. Nor by any interposition or intercession of angels or saints in his favor. Hint of the only method to be afterwards more largely explained. The lamentation of a sinner in this miserable condition. 1. SINNER, thou hast …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

May one Lose the Blessing?
The question trembles from many a lip--If I get the blessing, may I lose it? Most certainly. But, glory be to God! He has made ample provision for failure. There is no reason why we should fail; God has made ample provision against failure; we must not expect to fail; but in case we do fail, provision has been made. The most prolific cause of loss is disobedience--disobedience either to one of God's written commands, or to the inward promptings of His Holy Spirit. "The Holy Ghost whom God hath …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

Meditations for the Morning.
1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day, Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints; and every one of the bodies of the thousands of his saints, being fashioned like unto his glorious body, shall shine as bright as the sun (2 Thess. i. 10; Jude, ver. 14; Phil. iii. 21; Luke ix. 31;) all the angels shining …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour, …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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