Teks -- 2 Kings 6:1-15 (NET)

Elisha Makes an Ax Head Float

6:1 Some of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too cramped for us. 6:2 Let’s go to the Jordan. Each of us will get a log from there and we will build a meeting place for ourselves there.” He said, “Go.” 6:3 One of them said, “Please come along with your servants.” He replied, “All right, I’ll come.” 6:4 So he went with them. When they arrived at the Jordan, they started cutting down trees. 6:5 As one of them was felling a log, the ax head dropped into the water. He shouted, “Oh no, my master! It was borrowed!” 6:6 The prophet asked, “Where did it drop in?” When he showed him the spot, Elisha cut off a branch, threw it in at that spot, and made the ax head float. 6:7 He said, “Lift it out.” So he reached out his hand and grabbed it.

Elisha Defeats an Army

6:8 Now the king of Syria was at war with Israel. He consulted his advisers, who said, “Invade at such and such a place.” 6:9 But the prophet sent this message to the king of Israel, “Make sure you don’t pass through this place because Syria is invading there.” 6:10 So the king of Israel sent a message to the place the prophet had pointed out, warning it to be on its guard. This happened on several occasions. 6:11 This made the king of Syria upset. So he summoned his advisers and said to them, “One of us must be helping the king of Israel.” 6:12 One of his advisers said, “No, my master, O king. The prophet Elisha who lives in Israel keeps telling the king of Israel the things you say in your bedroom.” 6:13 The king ordered, “Go, find out where he is, so I can send some men to capture him.” The king was told, “He is in Dothan.” 6:14 So he sent horses and chariots there, along with a good-sized army. They arrived during the night and surrounded the city. 6:15 The prophet’s attendant got up early in the morning. When he went outside there was an army surrounding the city, along with horses and chariots. He said to Elisha, “Oh no, my master! What will we do?”

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: 2Ki 6:2 - Jordan

To the woods near Jordan.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:2 - A beam

A piece of timber for the building. Hence it may be gathered, that although the sons of the prophets principally devoted themselves to religious exercises, yet they sometimes employed themselves about manual arts.

Wesley: 2Ki 6:10 - Sent

Soldiers to secure the place and passage designed.

JFB: 2Ki 6:1 - the place where we dwell with thee

Margin, "sit before thee." The one points to a common residence--the other to a common place of meeting. The tenor of the narrative shows the humble condition of Elisha's pupils. The place was either Beth-el or Jericho, probably the latter. The ministry and miracles of Elisha brought great accessions to his schools.

JFB: 2Ki 6:2 - Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan

Whose wooded banks would furnish plenty of timber.

JFB: 2Ki 6:5 - it was borrowed

Literally, "begged." The scholar's distress arose from the consideration that it had been presented to him; and that, owing to his poverty, he could not procure another.

JFB: 2Ki 6:6 - cut down a stick, and cast it in thither

Although this means was used, it had no natural adaptation to make the iron swim. Besides, the Jordan is at Jericho so deep and rapid that there were one thousand chances to one against the stick falling into the hole of the axe-head. All attempts to account for the recovery of the lost implement on such a theory must be rejected.

JFB: 2Ki 6:6 - the iron did swim

Only by the miraculous exertion of Elisha's power.

JFB: 2Ki 6:8-12 - the king of Syria warred against Israel

This seems to have been a sort of guerrilla warfare, carried on by predatory inroads on different parts of the country. Elisha apprised King Jehoram of the secret purpose of the enemy; so, by adopting precautionary measures, he was always enabled to anticipate and defeat their attacks. The frequency of his disappointments having led the Syrian king to suspect some of his servants of carrying on a treacherous correspondence with the enemy, he was informed about Elisha, whose apprehension he forthwith determined to effect. This resolution was, of course, grounded on the belief that however great the knowledge of Elisha might be, if seized and kept a prisoner, he could no longer give information to the king of Israel.

JFB: 2Ki 6:13 - Dothan

Or, "Dothaim," a little north of Samaria (see on Gen 37:17).

JFB: 2Ki 6:15 - his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

When the Syrian detachment surrounded the place by night, for the apprehension of the prophet, his servant was paralyzed with fear. This was a new servant, who had only been with him since Gehazi's dismissal and consequently had little or no experience of his master's powers. His faith was easily shaken by so unexpected an alarm.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:1 - The place - is too strait for us

The place - is too strait for us - Notwithstanding the general profligacy of Israel, the schools of the prophets increased. This was no doubt owing to the influence of Elisha.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:2 - Every man a beam

Every man a beam - They made a sort of log-houses with their own hands.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:5 - Alas, master! for it was borrowed

Alas, master! for it was borrowed - אהה אדני והוא שאול ahah adonia , vehu shaul ! Ah! ah, my master; and it has been sought. It has fallen in, and I have sought it in vain. Or, it was borrowed, and therefore I am the more afflicted for its loss; and Jarchi adds, I have nothing wherewith to repay it.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:6 - He cut down a stick

He cut down a stick - This had no natural tendency to raise the iron; it was only a sign or ceremony which the prophet chose to use on the occasion

Clarke: 2Ki 6:6 - The iron did swim

The iron did swim - This was a real miracle; for the gravity of the metal must have for ever kept it at the bottom of the water.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:8 - The king of Syria warred against Israel

The king of Syria warred against Israel - This was probably the same Ben-hadad who is mentioned 2Ki 6:24. What was the real or pretended cause of this war we cannot tell; but we may say, in numberless war cases, as Calmet says in this: "An ambitious and restless prince always finds a sufficiency of reasons to color his enterprises.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:8 - In such and such a place

In such and such a place - The Syrian king had observed, from the disposition of the Israelitish army, in what direction it was about to make its movements; and therefore laid ambuscades where he might surprise it to the greatest advantage.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:9 - Beware that thou pass not such a place

Beware that thou pass not such a place - Elisha must have had this information by immediate revelation from heaven.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:10 - Sent to the place

Sent to the place - To see if it were so. But the Vulgate gives it quite a different turn: Misit rex Israel ad locum, et praeoccupavit eum . The king of Israel sent previously to the place, and took possession of it; and thus the Syrians were disappointed. This is very likely, though it is not expressed in the Hebrew text. The prophet knew the Syrians marked such a place; he told the king of Israel, and he hastened and sent a party of troops to pre-occupy it; and thus the Syrians found that their designs had been detected.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:13 - Behold, he is in Dothan

Behold, he is in Dothan - This is supposed to be the same place as that mentioned in Gen 37:17. It lay about twelve miles from Samaria.

Clarke: 2Ki 6:14 - He sent thither horses

He sent thither horses - It is strange he did not think that he who could penetrate his secrets with respect to the Israelitish army, could inform himself of all his machinations against his own life.

Defender: 2Ki 6:6 - the iron did swim

This is another miracle of creation - not of matter, but of energy, analogous to Christ walking on the water. At the word of Elisha, spoken in faith, and to meet a special need, God created some kind of anti-gravitational force, superseding the law of energy conservation, enabling the iron axe-head to rise to the surface of the water."

TSK: 2Ki 6:1 - the sons // the place // too strait for us

the sons : 2Ki 2:3, 2Ki 4:1; 1Ki 20:35

the place : 2Ki 4:38; 1Sa 19:20

too strait for us : Jos 17:14, Jos 19:47; Job 36:16; Isa 49:19, Isa 49:20, Isa 54:2, Isa 54:3

TSK: 2Ki 6:2 - and take thence

and take thence : Joh 21:3; Act 18:3, Act 20:34, Act 20:35; 1Co 9:6; 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8; 1Ti 6:6

TSK: 2Ki 6:3 - Be content // go with thy

Be content : 2Ki 5:23; Jdg 19:6; Job 6:28

go with thy : Jdg 4:8

TSK: 2Ki 6:4 - they cut down wood

they cut down wood : Deu 19:5, Deu 29:11

TSK: 2Ki 6:5 - ax head // master // for it was borrowed

ax head : Heb. iron, Ecc 10:10; Isa 10:34

master : 2Ki 6:15, 2Ki 3:10; Rev 18:10, Rev 18:16, Rev 18:19

for it was borrowed : 2Ki 4:7; Exo 22:14, Exo 22:15; Psa 37:21

TSK: 2Ki 6:6 - he cut down // the iron

he cut down : This could have no natural tendency to raise the iron and cause it to swimcaps1 . icaps0 t was only a sign, or ceremony, which the prophet chose to employ on the occasion. 2Ki 2:21, 2Ki 4:41; Exo 15:25; Mar 7:33, Mar 7:34, Mar 8:23-25; Joh 9:6, Joh 9:7

the iron : This was the real miracle; for the gravity of the metal must otherwise still have kept it at the bottom of the river.

TSK: 2Ki 6:7 - Take it up // put out

Take it up : 2Ki 4:7, 2Ki 4:36; Luk 7:15; Act 9:41

put out : Exo 4:4

TSK: 2Ki 6:8 - the king // took // camp

the king : 2Ki 6:24; 1Ki 20:1, 1Ki 20:34, 1Ki 22:31

took : 1Ki 20:23; Job 5:12, Job 5:13; Pro 20:18, Pro 21:30; Isa 7:5-7, Isa 8:10

camp : or, encamping

TSK: 2Ki 6:9 - Beware // thither the Syrians

Beware : 2Ki 3:17-19; 1Ki 20:13, 1Ki 20:28

thither the Syrians : 2Ki 4:27; Amo 3:7; Rev 1:1

TSK: 2Ki 6:10 - sent to the place // warned him // saved

sent to the place : To see if it were so. But the Vulgate renders, misit rex Israel ad locum , et preoccupavit eum ; ""the king of Israel sent to the place, and pre-occupied it;""which is very likely, though not expressed in the Hebrew Text. 2Ki 5:14; Exo 9:20, Exo 9:21; 1Ki 20:15; Pro 27:12; Mat 24:15-17

warned him : Eze 3:18-21; Mat 2:12, Mat 3:7; Heb 11:7

saved : 2Ki 2:12, 2Ki 13:14; 2Ch 20:20; Amo 7:1-6; Act 27:24

TSK: 2Ki 6:11 - Therefore // Will ye not

Therefore : 1Sa 28:21; Job 18:7-11; Psa 48:4, Psa 48:5; Isa 57:20, Isa 57:21; Mat 2:3-12

Will ye not : 1Sa 22:8

TSK: 2Ki 6:12 - None // Elisha // telleth

None : Heb. No

Elisha : 2Ki 5:3, 2Ki 5:8, 2Ki 5:13-15; Amo 3:7

telleth : 2Ki 6:9, 2Ki 6:10; Isa 29:15; Jer 23:23, Jer 23:24; Dan 2:22, Dan 2:23, Dan 2:28-30, Dan 2:47, Dan 4:9-18, thy bed chamber, Psa 139:1-4; Ecc 10:20

TSK: 2Ki 6:13 - spy where // Dothan

spy where : 1Sa 23:22, 1Sa 23:23; Psa 10:8-10, Psa 37:12-14, Psa 37:32, Psa 37:33; Jer 36:26; Mat 2:4-8; Joh 11:47-53; Acts 23:12-27

Dothan : This is supposed to be the same place where Joseph was sold by his brethren; and it is placed by Eusebius 12 miles north of Samaria. Gen 37:17

TSK: 2Ki 6:14 - sent he thither horses // great

sent he thither horses : It is strange the Syrian monarch did not think, that he who could penetrate his secrets with respect to the Israelitish army, could inform himself of all the machinations against his own life. 2Ki 1:9-13; 1Sa 23:26, 1Sa 24:2; Mat 26:47, Mat 26:55; Joh 18:3-6

great : Heb. heavy, 2Ki 18:17 *marg.

TSK: 2Ki 6:15 - servant // Alas

servant : or, minister, 2Ki 3:11, 2Ki 5:20, 2Ki 5:27; Exo 24:13; 1Ki 19:21; Mat 20:26-28; Act 13:5

Alas : 2Ki 6:5; 2Ch 20:12; Psa 53:5; Mat 8:26

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 2Ki 6:1 - The sons of the prophets

The sons of the prophets either at Beth-el, or Jericho or rather, at Gilgal; as may seem from its nearness to the river of Jordan, 2Ki 6:2 . With thee or, before thy face , i.e. under thy inspection and direction; where thou dost frequently dwell with us. Or, to thy face ; which may be joined with the following words; and so the sense may be this, It is apparent to thy view that this place is too strait for us Is too strait for us ; the number of the prophets increasing by the gracious providence of God, and by the ministry and miracles of Elijah and Elisha.

Poole: 2Ki 6:2 - Unto Jordan // A beam

Unto Jordan i.e. to the woods near Jordan, which were near to them. See Poole "2Ki 6:1" .

A beam i.e. a piece of timber for the building. Hence it may be gathered, that although the sons of the prophets principally devoted themselves to religious exercises, such as prayer, and praising of God, and the studying of God’ s word, and instructing of others, and waiting for Divine revelations; yet they did sometimes employ themselves about manual arts; which now they might be forced to, through the iniquity of the times.

Poole: 2Ki 6:5 - The ax head fell into the water // Alas, master! for it was borrowed

The ax head fell into the water the iron fell from the wood.

Alas, master! for it was borrowed: he was the more concerned, partly because he was now forced to be idle and useless to them in the common work; and partly because it was his friend’ s loss, who now was likely to suffer for his kindness; and as justice obliged him to restore it, so his poverty disenabled him from it.

Poole: 2Ki 6:8

Thither I will send my forces, to surprise some place; or to lie in ambush where the king or his people were to pass, 2Ki 6:9 .

Poole: 2Ki 6:10 - Sent to the place // Saved himself // Not once nor twice

Sent to the place either spies, to try whether the prophet spake truth; or rather, soldiers, to secure the place and passage designed.

Saved himself either his person when he was to pass that way; or his people, or places of importance.

Not once nor twice but much more frequently.

Poole: 2Ki 6:13 - That I may send and fetch him // Dothan

That I may send and fetch him for though I cannot conceal my designs from him, yet I may possibly take him by force; his power being, I doubt not, much inferior to his knowledge.

Dothan a city near Shechem, Gen 37:17 , and not far from Samaria.

Poole: 2Ki 6:15 - The servant // Gone forth

The servant having been with him but a little time, even since Gehazi’ s dismission, had not yet seen any experiments of his great power; or if he had, his faith might easily be shaken upon so great and sudden a danger.

Gone forth either out of the gates of the city, where he might see them; or out of his house into the streets of the city, where he might learn this by the common fame and tumult of the people.

Haydock: 2Ki 6:1 - Save

Save ( salvat. ) Many ancient manuscripts read salvet, conformably to the Hebrew and Septuagint, as if the king cursed the woman: "Let not the Lord save thee," Josephus [Antiquities?] ix. 4. Others place the stops differently: "He said, no: the Lord save thee." (Calmet) ---

He is the author of life. (Menochius)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:2 - Timber

Timber. Hebrew and Septuagint, "a beam." Salien supposes that these prophets resided at Galgal. (Menochius)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:5 - Borrowed

Borrowed. He was grieved because he could not repair the loss. (Worthington)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:6 - Swam

Swam. So; Demersam fluvio relevavit virga securim. (Tertullian, contra Marc.) The Fathers here remark a figure of the cross of Jesus Christ; the virtue of which, in baptism, reclaims the hardened sinner from the ways of vanity. (Tertullian, contra Judæos xiii.) (Calmet) ---

Those who would explain the reason of every miracle, may here inform the infidel why recourse was had to a supernatural interference, in a matter apparently of such a trifling nature. They ask why God should cause the eyes of various pictures in Italy to move on a late occasion; and because they cannot assign a satisfactory reason, they boldly assert that all was an imposture. But this mode of argumentation is very delusive, if not impious. " Who hat been his ( God's ) counsellor? " (Romans xi. 34.) All that we have to do is to believe, when the proofs are of such a nature as to require our rational assent.

Haydock: 2Ki 6:8 - And such

And such, which the king would mention. (Menochius) ---

The causes of this war are not known; but an ambitious prince always finds pretexts to cover his injustice. (Calmet)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:10 - Twice

Twice, but very frequently: so that the Syrian feared some treachery. (Haydock)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:12 - Chamber

Chamber. It is difficult therefore for the saints in heaven to hear our prayers? though they have not such long ears as Calvin ridicules. (Haydock)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:13 - Take him // Dothan

Take him. Foolish attempt! as if the prophet could not foresee his own danger. (Salien) ---

Dothan or Dothain, (Genesis xxxvii. 17.) twelve miles north of Samaria. (Eusebius; Calmet) Adrichomius says, in the tribe of Zabulon. (Menochius)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:14 - Of an

Of an, or, "of the army." To take one man was judged of such consequence; and Benadad feared lest the Israelites should rise up in his defence. (Haydock)

Haydock: 2Ki 6:15 - Servant

Servant, Giezi; as his leprosy is placed too soon. (Salien) (Menochius)

Gill: 2Ki 6:1 - And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha // behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us

And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha,.... Or the disciples of the prophets, as the Targum:

behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us: their numbers were so increased, that there was not room enough for them in the house they dwelt in with the prophet; which increase was owing, the Jews ^z say, to the departure of Gehazi last mentioned, who was a bad man, and used the disciples so ill, that they could not stay in the college; but, when he was gone, they flocked in great numbers; but rather it was owing to the very instructive ministry and wonderful miracles of Elisha: the place where the prophet and his disciples now dwelt seems to be Gilgal, 2Ki 4:38.

Gill: 2Ki 6:2 - Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan // and take thence every man a beam // and let us make us a place there where we may dwell // and he answered, go ye

Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan,.... Which, according to Josephus ^a, was fifty furlongs, or upwards of six miles, distant from Gilgal:

and take thence every man a beam; by cutting down the trees that grew there; for Mr. Maundrell says ^b, the banks of Jordan are beset with bushes and trees, which are an harbour for wild beasts; and another traveller ^c observes, that it is shadowed on both sides with poplars, alders, &c. and who speaks of their cutting down boughs from the trees when there:

and let us make us a place there where we may dwell: near the banks of Jordan, which they might choose for the seclusion and pleasantness of the situation, or because Elijah was taken up to heaven near it, as Abarbinel thinks; from whence it appears that these scholars were far from living an idle life; for they were not only trained up in useful learning, but were employed in trades and manufactures, to which they had been brought up, and knew how to fell timber, and build houses:

and he answered, go ye; he gave them leave, without which they did not choose to do anything.

Gill: 2Ki 6:3 - And one said, be content, I pray thee, and with thy servants // and he answered, I will go

And one said, be content, I pray thee, and with thy servants,.... Or be pleased to go with us; he begged it as a favour, that, being awed by his presence, they might preserve peace and order, and have his advice as to the spot of ground to erect their edifice on, and might be protected by him from harm and mischief by men or wild beasts:

and he answered, I will go; he consented to it, knowing perhaps before hand that he should have an opportunity of working a miracle there, as he did.

Gill: 2Ki 6:4 - So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.

So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. Trees which grew upon the banks of it, to build their house with, at least for the rafters and flooring of it, supposing the walls to be built of stone.

Gill: 2Ki 6:5 - But as one was felling a beam // the axe head fell into the water // and he cried, and said, alas, master! for it was borrowed

But as one was felling a beam,.... Cutting down a tree, or a branch of it:

the axe head fell into the water: into the waters of Jordan; or "the iron" ^d, the iron part of it, with which the wood was cut; that flew off from the helve into the water:

and he cried, and said, alas, master! for it was borrowed: it grieved him to lose his axe, because he could do no more work, and the more because it was not his own, but he had borrowed it of his neighbour; and still more, because, as it seems, he was poor, and not able to pay for it, which, being of an honest disposition, gave him distress.

Gill: 2Ki 6:6 - And the man of God said, where fell it // and he showed him the place // and he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither // and the iron did swim

And the man of God said, where fell it?.... For though endowed with a spirit of prophecy, he did not know all things, and at all times; and if he did know where it fell, he might ask this question to lead on to the performance of the miracle:

and he showed him the place; the exact place in the river into which it fell:

and he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; he did not take the old helve and throw in, but a new stick he cut off of a tree; some think he made of this another helve or handle, of the same size and measure with the other, and that this being cast in was miraculously directed and fixed in the hole of the iron at the bottom of the water, and brought it up with it; but, as Abarbinel observes, there is no need to suppose this; the wood was cast into the precise place where the iron fell, and was sent as it were to call it up to it:

and the iron did swim; it came up and appeared, and was bore on the surface of the waters; or, "and made the iron to swim" ^e; which some understand of the wood cast in, as if it had some peculiar virtue in it to draw up the iron; but it was not any particular chosen wood, but what first occurred to the prophet ^f; and the meaning is, that Elisha caused it to float, contrary to the nature of iron.

Gill: 2Ki 6:7 - Therefore said he, take it up to thee // and he put out his hand, and took it

Therefore said he, take it up to thee,.... This the prophet said to the man that had lost it:

and he put out his hand, and took it; it being on the top of the water within his reach.

Gill: 2Ki 6:8 - Then the king of Syria warred against Israel // and took counsel with his servants // saying, in such and such a place shall be my camp // the place of such and such a man

Then the king of Syria warred against Israel,.... Proclaimed war against him; on what account, or how long it was after Naaman his general came with a letter of recommendation from him to the king of Israel, and had his cure, is not said:

and took counsel with his servants; his privy counsellors, or the general officers of his army:

saying, in such and such a place shall be my camp; in some covered hidden place, as the Targum; where he would lie encamped waiting in ambush, to fall upon the king of Israel unawares, as he and his forces should pass that way; the place, no doubt, was named by the king of Syria, though not recorded by the historian; or, as the words may be rendered:

the place of such and such a man; for, as Ben Melech observes, "peloni almoni" are used of persons whose names are either unknown or concealed.

Gill: 2Ki 6:9 - And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel // beware that thou pass not such a place // for thither the Syrians are come down

And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel,.... That is, Elisha sent to him: saying:

beware that thou pass not such a place: not go to it, but avoid it, and pass another way:

for thither the Syrians are come down: are hidden, as the Targum; lie covered at the bottom of the hill, so as not to be seen.

Gill: 2Ki 6:10 - And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him, and warned him of // and saved himself there, not once, nor twice

And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him, and warned him of,.... Sent spies thither to see whether the Syrians were there or not, and whether it was truth the man of God told him; for he had no hearty respect for the prophet, though he had been so serviceable to him:

and saved himself there, not once, nor twice; escaped the snares the king of Syria laid for him, not once, nor twice only, but many times.

Gill: 2Ki 6:11 - Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing // and he called his servants, and said unto them, will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel

Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing,.... There was as it were a storm in his breast, as the word signifies; he was like a troubled sea, tossed with tempests, exceeding uneasy in his mind, fretting at the disappointment he met with time after time:

and he called his servants, and said unto them, will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel? he suspected that some one of his counsellors was in the interest of the king of Israel, and betrayed his secrets to him, which was the cause of his disappointments.

Gill: 2Ki 6:12 - And one of his servants said, none, my lord, O king // but Elisha the prophet, that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber

And one of his servants said, none, my lord, O king,.... He believed everyone of his counsellors were true and faithful to him:

but Elisha the prophet, that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber; what is said in the most private place, and in the most secret manner: this man had heard much of Elisha, by Naaman, very probably; or perhaps he had attended him in his journey to Israel for a cure, and so might have personal knowledge of Elisha, and be acquainted with the affair of Gehazi; from whence he concluded, that he, who had the thoughts of men revealed to him, had knowledge of their words and counsels, though ever so secret; see Ecc 10:20.

Gill: 2Ki 6:13 - And he said, go, and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him // and it was told him, saying, behold, he is in Dothan

And he said, go, and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him,.... But how could he expect to take him, who could give the king of Israel such intelligence of his designs against him, that he might escape his snares?

and it was told him, saying, behold, he is in Dothan; a city in the tribe of Manasseh, not far from Shechem; see Gen 37:17.

Gill: 2Ki 6:14 - Therefore sent he thither horses and chariots, and a great host // and they came by night // and compassed the city about

Therefore sent he thither horses and chariots, and a great host,.... To terrify the inhabitants from attempting to defend the prophet, but deliver him up at once:

and they came by night; that they might come upon them unawares, and their design not be discovered, so as to have timely help from Samaria, which was not far off:

and compassed the city about; that the prophet might not make his escape out of it.

Gill: 2Ki 6:15 - And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth // behold, an host compassed the city, both with horses and chariots // and his servant said unto him // alas, my master! how shall we do

And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth,.... Either out of his master's house, or out of the city upon some business to be done early in the morning; this was not Gehazi, but a new servant:

behold, an host compassed the city, both with horses and chariots; which he could see at the door of his master's house, the city being built upon an eminence; or which he perceived, as soon as he came out of the gates of the city, or was about so to do:

and his servant said unto him; Elisha being with him; or else he returned to his master on the sight of such an army, and not being able to go forward:

alas, my master! how shall we do? to get out of the city, and through this host, and proceed on our intended journey; and if he understood that the intention of this formidable host was to take his master, his concern might be the greater; and the more as he was a new servant, and not so well acquainted with his master's being possessed of a power of doing miracles.