2 Kings 6:8–18

The Arameans Plot to Capture Elisha

8 Now the king of Aram was warring against Israel; and he 1counseled with his servants saying, “In such and such a place shall be my camp.”

9 aThe man of God sent word to the king of Israel saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Arameans are coming down there.”

10 The king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God had told him; thus he warned him, so that he guarded himself there, 1more than once or twice.

11 Now the heart of the king of Aram was enraged over this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?”

12 One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”

13 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 aDothan.”

14 He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! 1What shall we do?”

16 So he 1answered, “aDo not fear, for bthose who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “aO Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of bhorses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

18 When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Strike this 1people with blindness, I pray.” So He astruck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.