2 Kings, Chapter 6:

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Verses from 2 Kings, Chapter 6 of the book of 1 Samuel of the Bible.

2 Kings - Old Testament — 2 Kings – Old Testament

Elisha floats an iron

1. The disciples of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we meet with you is too small for us.
2. Let’s go to the Jordan River, where each of us can cut down a tree to build a meeting place there.” Elisha replied, “You may go.”
3. One of them asked, “Wouldn’t you like to go with us, sir?” “Yes,” Elisha replied. They went to the Jordan and started cutting down trees.
4. Elisha went with them.
5. While one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron of the ax fell into the water. The man exclaimed: “Ah, my lord, it was borrowed!”
6. The man of God asked: “Where did he fall?” When the man showed the place, Elisha cut a branch and threw it there, making the iron float.
7. And he said, “Take it.” The man reached out and picked it up.

God blinds the Syrian army

8. Now the king of Syria was at war with Israel. He would meet with his advisors and say, “I’m going to camp in this place.”
9. But the man of God sent a message to the king of Israel, saying: “Be careful, do not pass by that place, for the Arameans are ambushing themselves there.”
10. Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place that the man of God had mentioned, and he took the necessary precautions.
11. This infuriated the king of Syria, who called together his advisors and asked: “Tell me, which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”
12. One of the counselors replied: “None of us, O king. It is Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, who reveals to the king of Israel even the words you speak in your room.”
13. Then the king ordered: “Find out where he is, so that I can send you to capture him.” When they reported that Elisha was in Dothan,
14. he sent a large force there with horses and chariots. They arrived at night and surrounded the city.
15. The servant of the man of God got up early in the morning and, as he went out, he saw that a force with horses and chariots was surrounding the city. He exclaimed: “Ah, my lord! What will we do?".
16. Elisha replied, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more numerous than they are.”
17. Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, open his eyes so that he may see.” The Lord opened the young man's eyes, and he looked and saw that the hill was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.
18. When the Arameans came against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord: “Strike these people with blindness.” And the Lord struck them with blindness, as Elisha had requested.
19. Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.
20. As soon as they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open their eyes so they can see.” And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw that they were in the midst of Samaria.
21. When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Should I kill them, my father? Should I kill them?”
22. Elisha replied, “You must not kill them. Would you kill prisoners of war that you captured with your sword and bow? Give them food and water, so they can eat and drink and then return to their master.”
23. Then the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they returned to their lord. And from that day on, Syrian troops no longer invaded Israeli territory.

Samaria is besieged

24. Some time later, Benhadad, king of Syria, gathered his entire army and besieged Samaria.
25. The siege lasted so long that a great famine struck the city. A donkey's head was worth eighty pieces of silver, and a quarter of a cab of pigeon dung was worth five pieces of silver.
26. One day, the king of Israel was passing by the city wall, when a woman shouted to him: “Help, my lord, O king!”
27. He replied, “If the Lord does not help you, what good will it do you if I help you? I have neither wheat nor wine to provide you.”
28. Then he asked him, “What’s the matter?” She replied, “This woman said to me, 'We will eat your son today, and tomorrow we will eat mine.'
29. Then we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I told her, 'We are going to eat your son,' but she had hidden him.”
30. When the king heard the woman's words, he tore his clothes. As he was on the wall, the people saw that he was wearing underwear made of sackcloth underneath.
31. And he said, “May God punish me severely if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders today!”
32. While Elisha was sitting in his house, the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “See how this murderer sent someone to cut off my head! When the messenger arrives, close the door and don't let him in. Surely, the footsteps of his master can be heard behind him.”
33. While he was still speaking to them, the messenger arrived. And the king said: “This misfortune comes from the Lord. Why should I wait for the Lord?”