Elisha’s whereabouts in Dothan set in motion a miraculous deliverance that underscores God’s provision for those who trust Him.
So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him.” And it was told him, saying, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” (2 Kings 6:13)
This verse sets the stage for the king of Aram (Syria) seeking the whereabouts of Elisha, the prophet of the LORD, who was disclosing the Arameans’ military plans to the king of Israel. The king’s directive—“Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him”—reveals both the urgency and intensity of his pursuit. Historically, this event took place during the ninth century BC, when the kingdom of Israel (the northern kingdom) was locked in conflict with Aram. Elisha, who succeeded the prophet Elijah, served from around 852 to 796 BC and performed many miracles that demonstrated God’s power and care for His people.
The location mentioned here, Dothan, stood about twelve miles north of Samaria in a region of rolling hills. It appears in Scripture also as the place where Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 37:17). Geographically, Dothan’s fertile fields and strategic vantage points made it a desirable location, yet in 2 Kings 6, this area would be surrounded by Aramean forces seeking to capture Elisha. The text soon reveals that God supernaturally protected His prophet, opening the eyes of Elisha’s servant to see horses and chariots of fire around the city, displaying the LORD’s unmatched protection (2 Kings 6:16-17).
In the broader narrative of 2 Kings 6, the king’s pursuit of Elisha emphasizes God’s sovereignty in revealing hidden truth to His prophet and preserving His chosen people against overwhelming odds. Regardless of the enemy’s power, the LORD’s assurance of protection stands firm, demonstrating that He is present with His people wherever they go.
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2 Kings 6:13 meaning
So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him.” And it was told him, saying, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” (2 Kings 6:13)
This verse sets the stage for the king of Aram (Syria) seeking the whereabouts of Elisha, the prophet of the LORD, who was disclosing the Arameans’ military plans to the king of Israel. The king’s directive—“Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him”—reveals both the urgency and intensity of his pursuit. Historically, this event took place during the ninth century BC, when the kingdom of Israel (the northern kingdom) was locked in conflict with Aram. Elisha, who succeeded the prophet Elijah, served from around 852 to 796 BC and performed many miracles that demonstrated God’s power and care for His people.
The location mentioned here, Dothan, stood about twelve miles north of Samaria in a region of rolling hills. It appears in Scripture also as the place where Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 37:17). Geographically, Dothan’s fertile fields and strategic vantage points made it a desirable location, yet in 2 Kings 6, this area would be surrounded by Aramean forces seeking to capture Elisha. The text soon reveals that God supernaturally protected His prophet, opening the eyes of Elisha’s servant to see horses and chariots of fire around the city, displaying the LORD’s unmatched protection (2 Kings 6:16-17).
In the broader narrative of 2 Kings 6, the king’s pursuit of Elisha emphasizes God’s sovereignty in revealing hidden truth to His prophet and preserving His chosen people against overwhelming odds. Regardless of the enemy’s power, the LORD’s assurance of protection stands firm, demonstrating that He is present with His people wherever they go.