Elisha and the Unseen Army

The king of Syria was making plans against Israel, but Elisha the man of God kept warning the king of Israel about the places where the Syrians would come. This happened again and again, so the king of Syria was deeply troubled and wanted to know who was telling his secrets. He was told that Elisha in Israel knew even the words spoken in the king’s private room.

When the king of Syria heard that Elisha was in Dothan, he sent horses, chariots, and a great army there by night. In the morning, Elisha’s servant went outside and saw the city surrounded. He cried out in fear, asking what they should do. Elisha answered that they should not be afraid, because more were with them than with the army around them.

Then Elisha prayed for his servant, asking the Lord to open his eyes. The Lord answered, and the young man saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. The danger was real, but God’s help was real too, though it had been hidden from the servant before.

As the Syrian soldiers came down, Elisha prayed again, and the Lord struck them with blindness. Elisha told them to follow him, and he led them to Samaria. When they arrived there, Elisha prayed that their eyes would be opened. The Lord opened their eyes, and they saw that they were in the middle of Samaria.

The king of Israel asked Elisha if he should kill them, but Elisha said no. Instead, he told the king to set bread and water before them so they could eat and drink, and then return to their master. The king prepared a great feast for them, and after that he sent them away. Then the Syrian raiding bands stopped coming into the land of Israel. What do you notice about the way God used both power and mercy in this story?