This passage illustrates the Aramean king’s desperate attempt to capture God’s prophet, only to be thwarted by the Lord’s superior power.
“Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.” (2 Kings 6:14) In this passage, the Aramean king, likely King Ben-Hadad (around mid-9th century BC), dispatches a formidable force to seize the prophet Elisha. This force includes not just a few soldiers, but an overwhelming number of horses and chariots, symbolizing the king’s desperation and the severity of his response to Elisha’s prophetic influence. They arrive under cover of darkness, surrounding the city in which Elisha and his servant were staying, revealing a tactic meant to ensure surprise and capture. The city in question is Dothan, a settlement located north of Samaria in the region of ancient Israel. Its strategic position on a major trade route made it a natural site for encampments, commerce, and, on occasion, military engagements.
“Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.” (2 Kings 6:14) also underscores the stark contrast between human might and divine protection. Though Elisha and his servant seem outnumbered, previous verses and subsequent events attest to the power of God that overrides military strength. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, culminating in the reassurance later echoed in the New Testament, reminding believers that if God is with them, no human power can truly prevail against them (Romans 8:31). The story continues beyond this verse, demonstrating the protection of God’s prophet, and illustrating that faith in the Lord transcends earthly armaments.
“Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.” (2 Kings 6:14) points to the sometimes fearful reality of facing overwhelming trouble, but also to the ultimate reassurance that God is stronger than any threat. The king’s meticulous planning could not undermine God’s sovereign will, and Elisha’s calm faith showed that faithfulness to God leads to victory even in dire circumstances, prefiguring God’s salvation plan that finds its fulfillment in Jesus. The scene thus highlights that it is not the size of the opposition that matters, but rather God’s ever-present authority over every situation.
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2 Kings 6:14 meaning
“Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.” (2 Kings 6:14) In this passage, the Aramean king, likely King Ben-Hadad (around mid-9th century BC), dispatches a formidable force to seize the prophet Elisha. This force includes not just a few soldiers, but an overwhelming number of horses and chariots, symbolizing the king’s desperation and the severity of his response to Elisha’s prophetic influence. They arrive under cover of darkness, surrounding the city in which Elisha and his servant were staying, revealing a tactic meant to ensure surprise and capture. The city in question is Dothan, a settlement located north of Samaria in the region of ancient Israel. Its strategic position on a major trade route made it a natural site for encampments, commerce, and, on occasion, military engagements.
“Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.” (2 Kings 6:14) also underscores the stark contrast between human might and divine protection. Though Elisha and his servant seem outnumbered, previous verses and subsequent events attest to the power of God that overrides military strength. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, culminating in the reassurance later echoed in the New Testament, reminding believers that if God is with them, no human power can truly prevail against them (Romans 8:31). The story continues beyond this verse, demonstrating the protection of God’s prophet, and illustrating that faith in the Lord transcends earthly armaments.
“Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.” (2 Kings 6:14) points to the sometimes fearful reality of facing overwhelming trouble, but also to the ultimate reassurance that God is stronger than any threat. The king’s meticulous planning could not undermine God’s sovereign will, and Elisha’s calm faith showed that faithfulness to God leads to victory even in dire circumstances, prefiguring God’s salvation plan that finds its fulfillment in Jesus. The scene thus highlights that it is not the size of the opposition that matters, but rather God’s ever-present authority over every situation.