Topical Bible: Syria: God Smote With Blindness Those Sent Against Elisha by The

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In the biblical narrative, Syria, known in ancient times as Aram, plays a significant role in the history of Israel. One of the most remarkable events involving Syria is the divine intervention where God smote with blindness the Syrian forces sent against the prophet Elisha. This event is recorded in 2 Kings 6:8-23 and highlights God's protection over His prophets and His people.

Context and Background

During the time of the divided kingdom, Syria was a formidable neighbor to the northern kingdom of Israel. The Syrian king, often at odds with Israel, sought to capture Elisha, the prophet of God, who was revealing the king's military plans to the king of Israel. Elisha's prophetic insight was a direct threat to the Syrian military campaigns, as he was able to warn the king of Israel about the Syrian army's movements.

The Event

The king of Syria, frustrated by his thwarted plans, sent a great army to Dothan to capture Elisha. The narrative in 2 Kings 6:15-17 describes how Elisha's servant was initially terrified upon seeing the Syrian forces surrounding the city. However, Elisha reassured him, saying, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Elisha then prayed for the servant's eyes to be opened, revealing a heavenly army of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha.

In response to the threat, Elisha prayed to the Lord to strike the Syrian army with blindness. The Lord answered his prayer, and the soldiers were struck with blindness, rendering them unable to carry out their mission. Elisha then led the blind Syrian army to Samaria, the capital of Israel.

Divine Mercy and Resolution

Once in Samaria, Elisha prayed again, and the Lord opened the eyes of the Syrian soldiers. They found themselves in the midst of Samaria, surrounded by the Israelite forces. The king of Israel, seeing the Syrians delivered into his hands, asked Elisha if he should kill them. However, Elisha instructed him to show mercy, saying, "Do not kill them. Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so they may eat and drink and then return to their master" (2 Kings 6:22).

The king of Israel prepared a great feast for the Syrian soldiers, and after they had eaten and drunk, he sent them back to their master. This act of mercy led to a temporary cessation of hostilities, as the Syrian raiders did not return to the land of Israel for some time.

Theological Significance

This account demonstrates several key theological themes. Firstly, it underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to protect His people through miraculous means. The blinding of the Syrian army serves as a testament to God's power and His willingness to intervene on behalf of His servants. Secondly, the narrative highlights the importance of mercy and forgiveness, as exemplified by Elisha's counsel to the king of Israel. Instead of seeking vengeance, the Israelites extended grace to their enemies, reflecting God's own merciful nature.

The account of God smiting the Syrian army with blindness is a powerful reminder of the divine protection afforded to those who serve Him and the transformative power of mercy in the face of enmity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 6:14,18-20
Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Expedition against Elisha
... And the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled ... And when the servant of the
man of God was risen ... And he smote them with blindness according to the word of ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/v the expedition against elisha.htm

Sight and Blindness
... And He smote them with blindness according to the word ... Let no one suppose that thwarting
Syria was an unworthy ... It is a good thing when God's servants are not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/sight and blindness.htm

Elisha's Closing Ministry
... "Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore ... When the people of God are brought
into strait places ... And He smote them with blindness according to the word ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 21 elishas closing ministry.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... and were smitten with physical and mental blindness, that he ... For God is jealous and
will not allow the father's ... about the city found me: they smote me, they ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... the creation of the world, held forth to those that have ... So neither can all the
blindness and ignorance that is in ... of the knowledge of the glory of God in the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his ... that is, their doctrine begat
such blindness, such vain ... are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... SO MUCH AS HIS EYES UNTO HEAVEN, BUT SMOTE UPON HIS ... in the law, he made his boasts
of God, and trusted ... And all this proceeded of that blindness and ignorance ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm